The Democratic advocate., 1876-01-01
$50 PER ANNUM

can prove my woIthiness. Let me sp4 X
to her."
Impossible / will never conse d
"Tis useless to say more on the subjeI h
And after this conversation suppose VI v
will not feel 80 well conteated in yoIf
position with our house" In
III was about to ask, sir, If you wouln
give me letters Of introduction to som
other establishment. b
Certainly, certainly, Landon, l Wi
see that you have position quite as goo$'
to say the least, as your present one. II
l am sorry this has happened. am youP
friend in every other way. You must I'd
member and command my services when
you wish"
And so the young man and his employer
parted.
Days passed until fortnight had clap
sed, and Gertie had not seen Harry Ian.
don. She missed him from the store too
and with her usual straight farward, can.
did manner, she went to her father and
asked:
Where is Harry Landon, father ?"
He has left us, for a better position at
Blacks, answered her father, with his eyes
still on the paper.
why did he leave you, father2
heard you say you were going to do more
for him."
Andrew Foster raised his eyes then, and
looking sternly into his daughters replied
" He presumed too far on my friend.
ship, and it was desirable to both him and
myself that he should seek employment
elsewhere"
Her beautiful, truthful eyes, were still
gazing into his with an eager, anxious ex.
preston. She sunk down on a stool at
his feet, leaned her head caressingly against
him moment, and then whispered, with
a blush suffusing her pretty, childish face
Father, did he tell you that he loved
your daughter? And was it that you sent
him away for?'
" Yes, Gertic. He might have known
could not listen a moment to his suit.
He is very worthy young man; but really
it was very prcsuming in him to-"
Presuming, father, in an honorable,
worthy man to love me? / don't think
so. feel honored by the love of such
one. And, father, he has told you his
secret | will do SO too. Although he may
never know it, love Harry Landon."
There was much said between the father
and child, she gently pleading for her love,
he chidiug and unyielding. A year had
gone by since then. Occasionally Gertie
would meet Harry Landon on the street.
Once they stood side by side at the church
door, and Gertie could not resist placing
her hand in his, and Notwithstanding the
probability of Mrs. Grundy's declaring it
was very unmaidenly, she whispered:
al know all, and though 1 may never
be yours, will never wed another"
Harry was nearer happiness than he
had dreamed Of ever being again. Now
that he was assured of her love, her con.
stancy, he would work on.
As Andrew Foster stood before the
window that New Years morning looking
out on the passers-by, many pleasaut-look-
ing faces greeted him with smile, and
"Happy New Year, sir"
A moment more, and the room DIOR was
thrown open, and his boy, his only one,
the youngest of his children, came nnniug
up, crying out
Happy New Year for papa See
papa. Eddic's happy. New Yeats day,
with new clothes, new boots, new every
thing. | am going to be neW by, too
Gertie says every body must try b make
somebody happy to-day | am ping to
make Nellie happy, for I'll stop easing
her. l wish-Oh, 1 wish mamua was
here" His blue eyes filled with teirs and
his lips quivered, and in a sorrowfi voice
he continued 81 wish I had beer boy
when mamma was here.
Was everybody striving to place before
him, hold up for his inspection, his harsh
ness? Was every word intended t deal
a sure blow? When the little sevc, year
old Eddie spoke of "mamma," Andrev Fos.
ter could scarce repress groan.
She was gone Two years befon she
has passed from earth. Oh, if sh' was
with him how different he would be? He
had been good husband, and the ,entle
wife could not find in him anything % re-
proach. But he knew how much WIS left
undone. How many little loving acts
that make life so doubly sweet were for
gotten then.
Again Eddies voice sounded in the
fathers ear.
"Papa, are you going to be a new man
to-day2 Papa, make me happy With
splendid pair of skates. Aud Nellie and
Gertie must be happy, too, papa Make
Gertie be new girl please. Sic won't
sing and play with us; she's getting old, |
believe"
No argument, no pleading, ne matter
how earnest, could have made Iuch an
impression on Andrew Foster as that
child's innocent prattle.
Again the door opened, and Gstie aud
N.ll;n x~n.o ho...Jo h.,n H. t;..o. ..o.o