Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1878-11-27
'Dlser Chiffon


on which was an open, iron-bound box.
He was counting his money; and as he
spread out the glittering, shining gold
or let it fall in heaps beneath his hand,
the greedy, avarcious, hawk-like look
on his face, his hands clutching the
shining metal, like talOns, his seemed
Ike some fierce bird ready to pOunce
upon It's prey and rend it to pieces. No
wonder people called him "Miser
Chiffon" and Stunned him in dislike,
or that children shrank from him as he
passed. His money had, as yet, been
only curse to him; but there was one
who, almost in spite Of hope. hoped
better things Of him-his granddaughter
Mabel, his only wing relative, his only
/ friend
As he sat absorbed in the contem
plation of his beloved gold, she came
into his room aud stood beside him-a
fair, gentle girl-and as she looked at
him so tenderly, it seemed as If the faith
and love that shone in her starry eyes
must win him from his unholy passion
Now he looked up uneasily ,lmpatiently;
for though Mabel was very dear to him
and he would not forbid her his room.
or be trusted her implicitly, yet the
sight ofhls gold was still dcarer. and he
could not endure 10 have even her share
in the pleasure.
tits beautiful gold, ISN'T it, grand
father?' said Mabel. How it seems to
to taught 1t ought to make people very
happy, oushtn't it? Grandlather-'
Yes, yos, child.' he SAID. impatienily.
What is il? VIVA de you want p and
his eyes wandered for moment to the
sweet troubled face 5es de him. Not
money! he screawed, as Mabel's eyes
fell meaninsly on the glltterng treasure.
'Grandiather,' said Mabel, witt
grave, earnest voice, looking steadtastly
into his warning, suspicious eyes, down
IN the cottage at the foot Of the lane
poor Jessie Welles lies i'll, suffering for
want of some of this gold, or what i.
would buy her. On her arm is a wee
baby that needs the mothers care to
keep it alive and three little children
are looking with such hungry faces for
food, aud there is none; and just little |
of this money would save them all
Think of that, grandiather.-They are
staring even the sick mother Can
you answer for it ii they dic:'
Icannot help them. Why do you
come to me with your miserable stories
always:' asked the old man angrily.-I
Where is Reuben Welcs: Why does he
not work for his wife and children? We
snail starye ourselves if we give the |
money away now. 1t is all for yOu-all |
Tor you, child, that am saving 1t. Let
me keep it only little while in peace,
then you shall have it ALL and he |
moved about uncasily. and looked down
abashed at Mabel's clear, uufalte RIM
gaze.
Reuben cannot find work she said.
He is almost wild tonight at the
thought Of his family. Grandiathcr,y you |
have never given NE 50 much as one
dollar to help any one; but lhl, time it
makes me think-Grandfather, do you
remember how you let my mother die
Just 50, for want OF the care your gold
c.uld have given her? And how l,
puny child, would have died, too but !
for the kind woman who took NE from
her cold arms, and kept me till was
well grown. and you wanted me;
because to keep me here cost less than
the few dollars she asked
Child child do you know that-for
il is truc--and yet not curse me?' cried
the old man, with broken voice.
Yes, know it, said Mabel slowly,
Did you think the woman would be
silent about it?'
And yet you have stayed with ne
and seemed to love me. and worked for
me, and sayed, and asked nothing for
yourself! o, what a wretch I've Yen.
see it now. What shall | do:'
L DO love you. grandfather said
Mabel, softly stroking his withered
hand. III you are sorry, give me my
reward new, You know what
Yes, yes he said, taking up some Of
his beloved gold and thrusting it toward
Mabel. There, take it, and 80 before
| repent? Go and help the woman aud
.he little babe. Fake old Michael with
you; he can 90 for wine and TODD aud
all that they need !; and he rose aud
almost pushed Mabel from the room in
his eaLerncss to send hcr on her errand
OF mercy; then returning he sat down
beside the table, and burying his face in
his hands gave himself az to bitter
memories. How leng he sat there he
did not know, and 50 absorbed was he
that he did not hear the click of the
latch, nor know that the door softly
opened, and a stealthy fOotstep crossed
the floor; and when suddenly he looked
up TO meet the gaz9 Of fierce, angry eyes
fastened Gpon him; and see a hand
ouislrc,clcd toward bis gold, he started
up in deadly fear. But it is too late;
Il strong hand grasped his throat, aud a
hoarsc voice said;
Gold, gold Give me gold, old man
or I'll murder youl'
With strength born Of desperation,
the old man struggled and freed himself