The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1878-01-24

voice, singing softly and half sadly
was heard, and beautiful young girl
entered the room, bearing an antique
silver lamp in her hand. She was
John Hathaway's daughter. the only
child that had ever blessed him. and
she had come to the library TO find
some book to while away the evening
this child whose father had nothing
to say to her on New Years Eve, and
whose mother would not let her be in
quietDess.
She stopped when she saw her fa-
ther, and look, half glad and hall
frightened, came into her face.
Il did not know you were here,
papa she said, and her voice had in it
the pathos of child doubtful of a
welcome from her own father.
AS she stood hesitatlng, her father,
held out his hand towards her with
some little show of interest, and at the
signal she sprang gladly towards him
and put her arm fondly about his neck
That is a very pretty lamp he said
and it is a very-pretty notion to light
the library with it instead of with gas.
You may leave it with me-
She set the lamp upon the table and
went away without speaking, but with
the bitter tears of outraged love drop
ping from her eyes.
SILLY child J. said John. How her
face lit up when she thought l was 60.
ing to fondle her. 1t is not 10 my
credit to have moping, melancholy
daughter, and it would be to my credit
10 have daughter brilliant and gay as
her.
Even his child-and she was good
and most loveable child-could not
draw this mans mind away from him
self. 1. .-
Yes. yes he said, it will add to
my comfort and my credit to treat them
differently. This is New Years Eve,
and l will turn over a new leaf
ANY OF these old ones will answer
the purpose 10
John Hathaway started as he heard
the words, and looked quickly around.
This voice was not the voice of any OF
the ghosts that had been haunting MIN.
Remorse might have spoken these
words, aud in that tone, but remorse
had never troubled him. Yet, al
though he could not recognize it, the
voice had familiar sound.
The light shed by the little silver
lamp tempered the gloom Of the place
and John Hathaway leaned forward
peered into the alcoves of the corners.
He could see nothing that was famil-
lar. He chilled for q second as the
wavering flame of the lamp threw the
heightened shadow of statuette to.
wards him, but in an instant he had
recognized the grotesque thing and
laughed nervously. ec.
His laugh was repeated by the same
voice that had spoken, and now the
voice was SO like his own that for a
moment John thought it was. only an
echo. The. library was SO unused to
voices that it's acoustic properties had
never been tested. TWAS not an echo
however. for the voice went on.
'There is no use of turning over any
new leaves, John Hathaway, as L said
before, any of these old ones will an.
swer the purpose
John looked for the speaker close
beside himself, where he ought to have
looked in the first place. and saw
standing there, a quiet, conservative
looking gentleman, who might be the
President of q savings bank, the trus
tee of a large estate, or the director o
a life insurance company, for all his
appearance showed to the contrary
The gentleman stood by the table, with
one hand resting thereon, and the 9th
er holding somewhat large roll Of
paper, and his whole demeanor was
courteously business like.
John hathaway arose from his cha il
and stood before his guest.
sDo you wish to see me, sir? Par.
don me if do not quite recognize
you.' said John, with some Difference,
His tone and manner towards thi,
stranger were very different TO those
he had used towards his wife and
daughter.
1T is very strange you do not know
me- said the visitor. I'VE haye had
dealings together every day since your
business life commenced.'
John looked at him steadily for q
moment. All, recognize you now,
he said, 'Pray be seated. Does bus
mess bring you hcrc?' lie spoke with
some enthusiasm, for the prospect OF
business, even with this Presence, was
the prospect OF a pleasant change.
The stranger seated himself by the
table, pushed away the articles there
on, SO as to leave q clear space in front
of himself, laid his roll Of papers in
the space thus made, turned his chaiI
SO as to face his host, and put one leg
over the other in a comfortable way,
as If settled for prolonged confer
ence.
YES he said. in answer to the ques'
tion asked him, Il have called on bus
mess. This is the end of the quarter,
and have come for a settlement Oi
my account
IL don't understand you have
no outstanding account said John.
Pardon me, You have this one. II
was opened twenty-five years ago to.
night. As said, this is the end oil
the quarter. l like system and prompt
ness in my settlements
Twenty-Five years ago? This is al