The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1877-02-10

I
could see for themselves.
But Walter Rodman, by nature frank
and true, as his heart more and more
acknowledged Ellen for its queen,
grieved over the evident mystery in her
] life. While in her conversation she ad-
vanced noble and generous views, her
whole style of living was penurious to
an extent rarely seen in women of her
age, when living upon much smaller
salary than she commanded. 1t was not
merely economy, but saving pushed to
extremity.
There was a struggle constantly In
the mind of the young clerk-a struggle
between his love and his fear of repent
ance, il he urged his suit. 1t was re-
voting to him to think of his wife con-
ducting his household upon parsimoni-
GUS principles, refusing to bestow of
his abundance in charity, dressing
meanly, and perhaps influencing him
to the same miserly habits. And yet,
one hour with Ellen drove away ali
such thoughts.
The low, soft voice, always tinged by
her habitual sadness, conveyed such
mirror OF pure, tender heart, a culti-
vated mind, noble soul, that Walter
forgot the coarse, mean dress, the many
stories rife in the factory of Elien's
stinginess, and knew he loved her as
he had never before loved any woman.
But when the silver tankard was pre-
sented to Mr.. Rodman, and Ellen's name
was not upon the list of contributors to
the gift, Walter experienced a sharp
pang of disappointment. He knew his
fathers recommendation had gained
Ellen her first place in the factory, that
she had found a firm friend in him,
and owed her rapid advancement to his
interest and influence. And vet she
had refused her mite to the gift that
testified the good feeling of her fellow
workers in the factory
Father and Son had long been conf,
Dental friends and on the evening fol-
lowing the presentation the latter open
ed his heart and told all his doubts and
tearS. MIR. Rodman listened quietly.
Yet you love Elem" he ssaid.
II love her," replied Walter, 'but 1
could never be happy with miserIy
wife"
Poor Ellen, how little she deserves
that reproach |" said Mr.. Rodman. "I
shall violate p confidence reposed in me,
Walter, when l tell you how You mis-
Judge her, but | think can trust YOU"
HAS she told you her secret 2"
mo l heard the story from the
clergyman of Lenwood, her native viii
lage, who wrote to me before she came
here. lie Is an old friend of mine, and
knew he could conlde in me. Six years
ago Ellen's mother died, leaving in her
care a sickly step, brother, then eleven
years Old Her own father had left El-
len a pretty cottage, and had small |
income from the fruit and poultry on |
the place while she made sufficient |
living by teaching music and PLAYING
the organ in the church. When her
mother died, leaving Steven Grady, her
an orphan and peunyless |
(for her step. father before his death
all her mothers little for
tune), Ellen promised to care for the
boy. Remember, She was but sixteen
herself, though early care had matured |
her beyond her actual years.
"The boy grew up like his father,
reckless of expenditure, loose in prin-
L.
and one of those loving scapegraces
who always win some good woman's
devotion. He won Ellen's. She
thought herself bound by her promise
to her mother to make every sacrifice
for Steven, and she faithfully tried to
lead him away from the companions
and evil influences that were running
his life. Three years ago a friend of
Mrs. Gardy's took Stephen into his
house. Here he was to learn
the bookkeeping, and for a time he
worked steadily. Then the bad com.
pany that had ruined his boyhoOd again
exerted an evil influence, and he learn
ed to gamble. Remember, Walter, he
was but fourteen, and Ellen but five
years older.
Zone of his accomplishments was the
power of initiating Gndwriting, and by
-he persuasion of some older heads he
forged check of two thousand dollars
IN the firm he was with. The check
passed the bank undetected, for the
was in the habit of paying over
arge sums to Gardy. But when iU was
returned to the firm, the forgery was
discovered and traced to Stephen. Then
.he truth cane out that he had gambled
away the entire amount, and the two
men who had urged the crime aud
DOcketed the money had He'd, leaving
he lad to bear the consequences. He
was arrested, and repentance came
when he saw the full consequence of
his acts.
at was then that Ellen proved her
self noble woman believe her to he.
She was suffering already for her
orOther's crime, having lost her place as
Jrganist, and most OF her music pupils
having left her. Despite all this, She
went to the fIm and pleaded for the
ad. Her eloquence gained him some.
hing, They agreed not to prosecute,
but to allow the boy 10 leave town, and
go to an uncle who was willing to give
llm another trial in a Western city, if
mark that if, Walter. If Ellen would
pay the two thousand dollars and inter-
est within two years.
''She undertook the task. Stephen
was released and sent to his fathers
brother, here he is doing well, and
Ellen left her home and cama hpta