Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1878-08-01

that the beautiful girl before me was
none other than the daughter OF Har-
Try Steele ; and SO it proved. For in
a neatly furnished room | found him
in the last stages Of consumption
confined to his room, and for the most
part to the couch.
He recognized me almost instantly,
although had grown old and faded
And |, oh, how my heart plead for
his life to be spared, the moment my
eyes looked upon his white placid
face. ] had believed the old love
dead years ago. But / found that
it could be easily resurrected, now
that the stone had been removed from
the door Of the sepulcher, and I could
behold him wrapped in the linen
clothes of suffering. His wife, who
had proved faithful and true, had at
last won the true love of his manhood,
had died two years previously, leav-
ing, him with one child, the young
girl who had given us a welcome to
their humble abode. M
While my travelling companions
were taking a rest from the fatiguing
days journey, took seat by the
couch of the invalid as requested.
"The great wish of my heart has
been granted" said Mr.. Steele. l
have at last behl.v. your face once
more, and have heard your voice in
tones of forgiveness, for the suffering
that | caused you. But the Great
Father of us all is witness that / had
no thought of gaining an affection
that was not returned. You were my
hearts first love, and it was only to
save my parents from sorrow and dis
grace that married one of their
choosing. She was good and true,
and learned to regard her as pre-
cious treasure. s.ri. ..s
Sand now when / am gone, will
you not take my daughter to your
home and heart, and love her for the
sake of those old days of happiness !?
She is named for you, Fanny Morgan
Steele. She will not be left dowerless
or dependent. But / want her to be
cherished with the loving care of
| which she is deserving, and know
of no one more capable than yourself.
You will find her not entirely a stran-
ger, for she has been taught from ear
ly childhood to loye the face of "Aunt
Fanny" Will you not be mother to
the lonely orphan ?"
| made the required promise Just
as the SUMS last glimmering ray
peeped in at the west window, and as
he placed his daughters hands in
mine, he prayed to Him who careth
for the fatherless to bless us in our
new relation. And in remembrance
of that old summer time / sealed the
promise with kiss upon that fair
young brow.
Before the morning dawned his
spirit passed beyond the portals of
that brighter day, where sorrows and
Affections enter not. Upon the third
day we placed the dear remains by
the side of his wife. meath the wide.
spreading willows of the prairie home.
After settling with responsible per-
son to take charge of the farm, | took
my young charge, whom l had al
ready learned to love for her own
sweet sake and started forth to &C.
complish the journey that had been
so strangely interrupted. aaie
When l returned to my homo in
the east found that it woald he quite
necessary for me to have an establish
ment Of my own. rs / had now the
charge of three little girls. |
Little Edith, who is the youngest Of
my pets, l found crying on lonely
road without friend on whom she
could call for assistance. Her parents
had both died within few days and
she had been left to the care of
heartless woman, who had brought
her to this place and left her to find
home for herself. To leave poor
delicate child in this way was not to
be thought of. So Itook her to my
own heart and home. Louise French,
aged twelve years, was a pleasant
companion for my peerless Fanny.
She was the daughter Of another dear
school companion who babe me
last goodbye during my visit.
Each Of these dear girls has her
own especial attractions, and what I
do for them is labor of love as well
as duty. They are not perfect, and,
like other children, have their foible,
and are trial of patience as well as a
source of pleasure.
Years are Fastening onward, and l
find by my girls increasing stature,
both mentally and physically, that |
am growing old. But my heart ac-
knowledges no wrinkles Of age. My
cares are somewhat numerous, and I
seldom see a day Of luxurious ease,
yet know by the music of laughter
that bubbles up from snowy throats,
and the ripping merry songs that
come floating through the wide old
hall, and the patter of dancing feet
that are keeping time to pleasant
thought, that "Aumt Fanny" is not
entirely useless. And yet ] shall al
ways look back with remorsc to those
long years spent in slcthtul idleness.
To how many homes have / carried
comfort and happiness and how
many hearts might have received
kind words Of sympathy F; how many
poor unfortunates could have clad in
comfortable raiment. Then let me
say this 10 the gentle reader Let not
the night come without accomplishing
some good. Be useful today and the
glories of heaven will be near to yon.