The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-12-15

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"Mother, | am glad to meet you, and
hope you are well.
Soon supper was announced, and Katie
had well remembered her boys taste; he
felt almost happy as be recognized her
kindness 10 all around; he knew she had
thought of his comfort and pleasure, as
she had often done when he was a boy.
Yet he ate little, for he felt strange, un-
pleasant feeling every time he raised his
eyes and met those of his stepmother.
During the weeks that followed, Fred
spent much of his time in rowing around
his old pleasure haunts, and visiting his
former friends. 1t was at this visit he met
Nellie Armitage, and their friendship soon
ripcncd into love- This was the cause Of
much annoyance to Mr.. Harmon, for he
had planned brilliant match for his son
when the time came for him to marry, and
his pride was hurt to find his son was
interested in one whom he considered so
far beneath him both in wealth and social
position.
As Mr.. Harmon sat reading his paper,
his wife came into the room, and, in a
laughing manner, said
"Fred seems quite in love with the
schoolteacher; quite brilliant match
don't you think so, my dear ?"
Nothing could have been more disa-
greeable to Mr.. Harmon than this remark,
and he threw down his paper. Turning
hastily around, he remarked:
gfrhig ,baM H.
end to If Fred dares to marry that girl
| will cut him off without one cent?"
Mrs. Harmon now saw her way clear,
and she lost no opportunity to widen the
breach between father and son.
We will not enter into the details of all
that passed between the proud, stern, am
bilious father and his scheming wife.
Suffice to say that two years later found
Fred Harmon entirely separated from his
father commencing business as a physician
in another city, among strangers.
1t was during visit to Nellie in his
native town, some time after, that the
conversation took place which we record at
the opening of our story.
Strange as it may seem, the once de-
voted love between father and son, had,
through the influence Of an unprincipled,
designing woman, been turned to hate,
and they now met as strangers.
Subsequent events show that in spite of
all the power that Mrs. Harmon exercised
over her husband, he still retained the old
nurse, Katie, in his family, and no person
could influence him against her. Katie
was true to her charge, and never lost an
opportunity to try to heal the wound be-
tween father and son.
Mrs. Harmon, suspeeting that Katie
had some influence, and, fearing she might
undo what she had already done, left no
stone unturned, till at last, one day, upon
her husbands temporary visit to the city,
she discharged her
A few days later, Mr.. Harmon returned
and complained of not feeling we'll The
next morning found him confined to his
bed, and under the care of physician,
A great change seemed to have come over
him, both in mind and body; he seemed
to shrink from his wife, and did not wish
to have her around him. Calling his
physician to his bedside, he asked him to
go for Katie; he wished to speak to her;
he knew his end was drawing near; and
he must have some one with him that he
could trust.
Receiving the summons, Katie hasteued
to the bedside of her old master. What
was the subject of conversation between
them during the two hours Of her stay no
Jne ever knew. Katie never saw her
master again, for the next day she was
called away to distant city.
After lingering few days, Mr.. Har-
mon passed to his higher home, and Mrs
Harmon found herself the sole heir to his
immense fortune.
On hearing Of his fathers death, few
weeks after it had occurred, Fred Har-
mon felt deeply his loss, for he had never
ceased to love and revere him, even though
forced to be separated On finding how
the will had been made, he felt hurt that
he should have been entirely cut off, aud
sought counsel from a lawyer, trusting
something might be done. They informed
him that all attempts to recover anything
from the estate would be useless.
1t was great blow to Fred, for he had
hoped to be able to set up little home of
his own soon; but it seemed as if fate was
against him. Still he kept on with brave
heart, trusting brighter day would come
yet. He was favored in one way, at least,
for Nellie Armitage was visiting friends in
the city; so he had the pleasure Of seeing
her often, and he felt that one, at least,
way praying for his success.
She was kind, gentle-hearted girl, yet
no one would think of calling her beauti-
ful; still there was look in her clear,
bright eyes that won the respect Of all who
knew her. From her childhood she had
always been kind to the poor, and many
little heart was made happy at Christmas
time by some gift from abliss Nellie" as
she was universally called.
One day when looking from the window,
Nellie saw child struggling through the
storm, thinly clad, and with a pair of half
worn shoes upon her little feet. She
hastened to the door and called the child;
at first the little one seemed to shrink
from her, but Nellie soon made her feel
that she had nothing to fear, and, taking
her into the house, gave her food, and
money to buy shoes with. Il was only
few days after, that, passing along the
street, Nellie met the same child. For
moment she felt indignant, and was tempt
cd to pass her by without word, for She
saw that the child had on the same old
shoes; after moments thought she called
the child to her, and asked her where the
money was, and why she had not bought
the shoes. After some persuasion the lit
tie girl owned that she had used the money
to buy food for her sick sister.
At first, Nellie could not credit the
story, but at length agreed to 60 home
with the child, aud then she found her
story too true. An older sister lay upon
sick bed. Poor child She looked in
deed worn out; the constant watching BY
the bed Of mother who, only few days
before had died and left them alone, had
completely prostrated her. She told Mel
lie she had done some sewing, but could
not get paid for it, and her only friend
was an old woman, who had lately moved
into tho roona h.ia,,