The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1876-06-08


, with Robert Morse, she returned to
. her humble abode, poor in worldly
goods and crushed in spirit. Your
father had died insolvent, and left a
, young widow and infant without any
provision for the future.
, "He was not much missed save by
sharpers and horse jockeys, for new
er knew him to do deed of any kind,
; good, bad, or Indifferent, that he could
!. shirk on to any one else.
"'The. Lord deliver me from the
goodfor-nothing and thrlftless,' has
been my prayer since the day the
grave closed over your father.
"Your mother died soon after of
broken heart, bequeathing you to my
care.
"sTell my little Alice-if she lives
to be a woman-my own sad expert
ence, and see to it that she does not
throw away loving, energetic heart,
for wealth. were your mothers dying
words.
"This ends all have to say of your
parents now, if you would like to
hear it. I'll give you my opinion of
Mr.. Stills ?''
"Go on" said Alice, shaking the
tear drops from her lashes, and gazing
at the dying embers.
SIN the first place, he's married al
ready"
Alice gave scream and sprang to
her feet.
"Don't tell me that" she cried.
"It's true as the Bible. my dear. He
has been lounging about here at the
hotel all summer, with the exception
of few weeks time that was spent in
Illinois in getting sham divorce his
wife is from respectable family in
4 Connecticut, who, l am told, only
waits fitting opportunity to bring
his rascality before the public.
81 have proofs to satisfy you if you
have any doubts of the truth of my
statement.
"Now l have a question to ask you
answer it Oh your honor, and then l
have done. agiN s 5aaH
"If that tall young mantle owner
of pair of roguish black eyes, and
hands that are not afraid to hold the
plow, was possessed of the wealth
that young Stills boasts of, which
would be your choice" ?"
Edward, of course; if | must tell,"
said Alice, again burying ner head in
Peggy's lap.
A third party, and no less a person
age than Edward himself. had enter
ed, unobserved in the twilight, and |
became an accidental listener.
While Peggy was clustering around
to get candle lighted, and see WHO
the intruder was, the intruder himself
had taken forcible possession of the
pretty Alice; and so closely did he |
fold her in his arms, that nought but |
her golden curls were visible when
Peggy returned.
"Oh it's you, is it, Edward Worthy? |
What brought you over so early ?'was
Peggy's question.
81 thought I'd drop in before Stills
tonight, Peggy, if possible. Beg par
don, Alice, shant let you go till you
say yes or no, with the i,'OpisO of 'as
rich as Stilts?'
"Oh you like me hold you? Well,
I'll sit down and take it easy" d..
Somehow Alice escaped into anoth-
er room, and Edward said, turning a
serious face to Peggy:
"Uncle Will has given me deed OF
the farm, m,provided I'll furnish house
keeper; started from home with a |
doubling heart, but was fortunately
within hearing when you put the test
question to Alice. AS uncle Wills
farm is ts-day worth twice the fortune
Mr.. Stills can show, may not hope?"
And Peggy replied: "Eavesdrop-
pers never ought to hear any good of
themselves. If you haven't heard
enough i'll that way to satisfy you, go
to Alice. I've said my say to her,and
you must settle it between you."
1t was past twelve when the click
of the gate announced the departure
OF the young man fromPeggy's brown
cottage.
The next evening Mr.. Stills called,
and in place of seeing Alice, was re-
ceiyed by Mistress Peggy herself, who
treated him to a sermon on the wick
edness of man. She concluded the
discourse by advising him to go back
to Connecticut and live with the wo-
man who still had a claim on him for
support. instead of trying to secure a
new victim by passing himself off as
single man.
Mr.. Sam Stills retired from the field
crestfallen; whether he followed Peg
gy's advice and went back to the wife
who was vastly his superior, is not
known.
In due course Of time Alice became
the wife of Edward Worthy. Peggy's
present to the bride was piano, pur-
chased with the savings of many years.
Devoting her leisure hours to prac-
tice, with the help of Squire Smiths
daughters, Alice soon became quite
proficient in music.
Evenings there was a trio of listen
ers, viz: Peggy Watts, Uncle Will and
Edward. who were never SO happy as
when listening to the clear voice of
Alice, flowing out in the good old
songs as well as the popular melodies.
AN old lady had married a young
and rather fast man. On one occasion
shortly after their marriage, the hus-
band was about to set off on q journey
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