The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1878-02-19
Stlerf Storp..
MY FRIENDS SISTER.

school, Edward Hopeton, ,and wondering
how far friendship might venture in
sympathy for sternly repressed Attic
ton.
Twice 1 had been Edwards companeI
ion in his visits to famous French oc
culst, who held out every hope to his
patient, and taking me sside had whis-
pered:
ut is but q matter of time before
your friend will be totally blind. Over
work"
And to all my eager questions there
was but the same dread answer.
I knew but little of Edward Hopeton,
having formed his acquaintance on the
steamer that carried US from New York
to Liverpool, but did not know that
the studies that to me were pastime were
to him preparation for bread winning.
He was rigidly economical in all his
expenditures, and designed on wood for
a New Ysfk illustrated magazine when
not studying with industry, but he would
not shoys@me to pay one farthing over
my farT half of our joint expenses.
And i ,fhaving, trust, no purse proud
arrogance, because Providence had made
my lot that of very wealthy man, SUBJ
mitted quietly, respecting my compan-
ions independence.
/ suspected he was working for a
home and bride, for every steamer
brought him dainty letters directed in q
delicate female hand, and among his
treasures was an exquisite miniature of
fair, r,sweet girl of seventeen or eighteen,
with soft brown eyes and wavy golden
hair s'.A
Twilight was gathering when looked
over the top of my book at the down
cast face and set lips of my friend. He
had a pen in his hand and before him a
sheet of paper, but he had written only
a few lines, and I could see that those
were struggling and uncertain. At last
a low moan of such pain as wrung my
heart decided me. threw aside my
book, and crossed the room TO put my
hand upon Ned's shoulder,
"four eyes pain you again." | said.
Cannot / write your letter for you Z"
His lips quivered like q woman's as he
lifted his face to meet my eyes.
Its no use old fellow be said bro
kenly. s.It's all confused blur! L
shall-paint- no-more."
Theutha- proud, noble head fell for
ward upon my breast aEd tue strong
man shock with sobs that seldom break
from manly lips What could l say!
dared not hold out hopes that must be
crushed!
Presently, when this passion Of griel
had exhausted itself, Ned said:
"Poor Isabel! Allen. have been q
coward, shrinking from facing the truth
But that is over! You will help me to
prepare her little, l could not read
the last letters. They lie in my desk. and
do not know what is in them. You
shall read them TO me presently, and then
will you write to her Z"
answered quickly and warmly there
was no service he could ask of me thai
was not glad to render. But it was
long before he spoke then he said:
81 am q proud man. Allen, and | dc
not think there lives another man to
whom would be willing to confde my
troubles. But you have been a true
friend to me since this last blow threat
ened to- fall, and I know you will helE
me now. ! was working hopefully te
make home for myself and Isabel-mJ
sister.
1--WE have been 1orphans since wa'
twelve years old and Isabel but three,
mere baby. Our uncle, who lives II
Pennsylvania in small village, gave u'
food, clothes, and some education, bul
all grudgingly, and with hard, crue
taunts, to embitter every crust he threw
at US. It was narrow, sordid life, ant
when I was eighteen l ran away and triet
to make my own living in New York ]
need not tell you all of my struggles TO
the last nine years I managed to obtaiI
employment with designer on wood
studied hard, lived closely, and though
my foot was on the round of fortune''
ladder at last, when was sent over her,
by the magazine for which l work, will
1.-THE opportunity to study. / wrote L
Isabel so hopefully, and now"
| Igrasped his hand hard.
+ "She has such a hard life, Allen
cramped in every way, slave to an oil
miser's caprices. Why do not believ
she ever owned three dresses at once il
her life, and yet she is as cheerful ant
bright as little singing bird. Now,Al
len, will you read her last letter to me
and write her-the truth 2"
/ opened the letters Edward hande'
me with heavy heart. 1t was'so utterl
,, sad to think of the dear little sister il
1.-The wretched home. iourishing brigh
i, hopes that it would be my duty to crush
,, And vet With the heavy truth ever pres
ent, with my friends sad face turned t
mine, knowing all the clouds hangln
! over the two young lives, Isabel Hope
toms letters awakened smiles on bot
our faces, and left us actually cheerful.
: They we're so blithe, so full OF res
wit in all the little details of her hom
life, annoyances seeming to turn to jest
in her bright presence Every line wa
full of encouragement for the abser
brother, and through all the animation
,, 1.-The lively sallies, there was d thread G
thought that showed Isabel was Chri:
tisn as we'll as a loving, sweet girl, fne
. ling the silver lining to all the cloud
. overhanging her young life.
"She is jusi what her letters paint her
Edward said, as. took up the pen
write bis letter, ssthe dearest little sur
beam that ever gladdened home. Sh
is very smail, very pretty, and with tn
most meager allowance, always contrlve
to look neat. Poor little Isabel! Ho
J. 1 have hoped to throw some real brigh
; ness into .ber life. not leave it all to he
own CHEEKY spirit 10 make!
81 ! wrote the letter that was to add on
more burden to the young girls hearts
i, Edward dictated; but after all that wa
written, l could not refrain from addih
few lines in my own name, assuring ]
! abel Hopeton of my earnest friendshi
for her brother, and begging her to fe,
! certain that he would have the most ter
lder care uutil such time as be wished