The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1877-06-26
Selfrt Stury.
GODS OPPORTUNITY.
BY TIE AUTHOR OF "THE DERwENT DIA-
.n MeNDs."

BY TIE AUTHOR OF "THE DERWENT DIA-
| 1rn. MeNDs." aa
Mrs. Delafeld looked out OF the win
dow as she clipped her thread, and the
scissors fell out of her hand. .
q "Oh! Maudie, i see Mr.. Brompton
coming; I haven't Eve dollars in the
world. What shall we do ?" a
Maudie was cripple; all her brief life
lhad been spent in that low easy chair,
lsave when Tom rolled ber under the ma
|ples in her small wagon for her morning
airing. She looked up from her embroid-
(ery with great, wistful eyes. .sa
4 "Poor mamma! how ! wish l could
help you p ea
"My love, you do. You help me a
Igreat deal" cried the mother as she has
tened to the door. Walk in,i Mr. Bromp,
ton" ~, .oy.Hi3 ~. :.
Mr.. Brompton walked in; aportly,
handsome gentleman, wearing fur lined
overcoat and carrying a gold-headed
cane. v.9is.t..a IS 4. .,.,. 3:
"How do you do, Mrs. Delafeld ?
How do you do2 Ah, my little pet!"
He smiled benignly, shook the wild
|ow's hand and patted Maudie's head.
"Bad day this, Mrs Delafeld," accept
ling the chair she offered him ''Bitter
cold; I'm out nevertheless, making my
collecting tour, Mrs. Delafeld. ! make
it point never to break an established
trule, as you may have observed. Be
punctual with your tenants and your ten,
Fants will learn to be punetual with you
that's motto of mine and /, find it
! works admirably, Mrs. Delafeld.n a.g
| Mrs. Delafield sat quite composed, not
la feature Of her face betraying the fut,
Itering at her heart. !; 70 -Ra.sot
"Your rent comes due again o-day,
1 Mrs. Delafield." proceeded the landlord,
taking out notebook and pencil. "Last
month, owing to your extreme illness,
contrary to myifxed principles Isuffer-
ed it to run on; we'llsquaro up in full
to-day, il you please, my dear madam y
| Mrs. Delafeld caught her breath and
lpressed her hand hard upon the table
she was too proud to betray herself by
Ia single tremor. H} l.i& tae
4 "Really, Mr.. Brompton, / wish I could
but owing to my illness, I've done very
little sewing The few bills due me !
tried to collect yesterday and failed
however, l shall get the money soon,
and there'll be enough to pay the rent
If you'll have the kindness to wait 9
week or two longer, Mr.. Brompton---'
/ Mr.. Brompton Interrupted with smile
and the smile was uglier than frown
would have been
II could wait. Mrs. Delafield. Oh! to
Fbe sure l could! l could make you a
deed of gift of the cottage, for that mat.
ter; I'm fully able TO do it; but you
see--" c.f
The widow rose to her feet.
"You have said enough, sir haven't
the money to pay the rent to-day, and il
lyou wish to turn me and my children
into the street you can do so," sJes-
| A queen could not have made haugh-
tier answer $ the landlords ford face
idarkened. T 6aH .- ';o s;,,.
/ "You will have to leave, madam;
told you as much month ago. You
remember my saying you couldn't stay
unless the rent was forthcoming. Very
well; you've had legal warning, and to-
morrow morning you 60" -. ..
| "Very well, SIR er. s
| "Good day, Mrs. Delafeld: I'm sorry
Ito be forced--'. ~ ..a.
l "Mske no excuses, Mr. Brompton
5none are needed. bid you good even.
1 ing."haa .gea.g,g 4a i os,i
| Her soft eyes flashed, her voice
Irang like bugle; but the instant the
door Vas closed she sank down by Mau.
1die's chair.e,is cyan e8...,.. 4a,I,
sob, Maudiel poor little Maudie
1 What shall we do p ei.5x 1.
| The child put aside her silks and laid
! her soft cheek against her mothers. h,
| Toms hand was on. the latch, and
feeling that her tears wonld not be fore
ed back, Mrs. Delafeld jumped up and
rushed into the next room, closing the
ldoor after her.aa i at.,s woI-- n
4 "Hush, Tomm said. Mapdie, as he
came whistling in with his satchel on his
shoulder; "poor mammals in great trou
BILE, - =, -. - =.
Toms merry eyes saddened '...2. =
4 "What's up now, Maudie ? No din
j Eer; and no money to buy 1t with,
Z s.pose; and fellow hungry enough tt
Z nibbls his own fingers this bitter, sweatt'hn
2 err -. ~. ~, .'' - ~ ',,..,i 9,ie ~
Miauudie,s soft eyes looked Up at hin
i aoh! Tom, the landlords been here
z and he talked terribly to poor, mamma.
i eDid be? Wish I'd been at home. -
3 "Hush Toni what could you hav
done2 What can any Of US do now
2 Were to go out Of the cottage to-mor
Z row r,orninoN N2'ih i i.} -" i'lh. 3
aWhat why, we cant go; the sno,
2 will be foot deep by morning "Twoul
be the death Of you, Maudie. Now,
= shouldn't mind it one Bit !; but you an
: mamma! Oh, it isn't to be. thought OF
5 I must prevent it somehow"
u Maudie's eyes frightened; Tom wa
2 the hero of her lonely life. " ~ :. '.'S @
|. "What shall we do, Tom'?' she ask
ed. - ~ ~ - : 80 y
.sCan't tell; let me think a bit" he al
swered, seating himself, boy fashion
astride chair 'If there was anythin
that could be sold, now; but poor man
ma has let everything go, to keep us
: bread and butter. Dear me | wish
9 was man or mamma would let m
leave school and go to work. ."Ifd''a.'.'
p s'Tom, I've few bits of needlewor
that might be Sold" l'" IS
Fl "Oh! bother, Maudie.. Girls VOL
q never amounts to anything what he
would that be 2",9 '.i' H''
Maudie answered not a word, but b