The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1879-01-15

h"V -
Jennie, sure enough" thought the
old gentleman as he discreetly passed
into the sitting room. "Well, he's
rs likely to make her a good hus
band as any one. If she likes him
shau't object
Aud he fell into fit ofgentle m t.
sing over the memory of the gentle
wife who had been lying under the
flowers since Jennie's birth.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Jennie
was tripping about, engaged in some
household work, and Harry was
watchipg..her with love-lit eyes, and
could not make up his mind to tell
her that he loved her.
X +
:, - The Rev. Mr.. Walker, of the Or
thodox Church, in Bolton, had pre-
pared a discourse for his sinful con-
gregation, upon the subject of end
less punishment. The parable Of
the rich man and Lazarus was his
basis, and he hurried the anathemas
of wrath at the black sheep Of his
flock as though he were an avensing
angel and man members of his con-
gregation felt guilty of errors. Lit
tie Tom Bates shiyered in his shoes,
and thought of the pie he had taken
in the night before and then told his
mother d lie, and debated whether
lie should confess, or run the risk of
the punishment Illuminated by the
parson. But he did not settle the
matter that time, for the minister
was suddenly brought to full stop
in the midst of his discourse, and
the congregation electrified by a tre-
mendous crash and report in their
midst, as if heaven, and earth had
come together.
Farmer Evans rose to his feet ST.
simultaneously with his frightened
daughter and the rest uf the congre-
CATION, and poor little Tin was not
sure for the moment that his future
had not begun. The cause of the
noise was found to be an explosion
in the stove, through the internal
agency known as gunpowder. How
it came there was o mystery to all
except Farmer Evans. Harry Baily
who made the fires and found the
wood for stated sum, came for
ward with a white face and explain
ed that the thing was unknown to
him. The farmer walked home
ward thinking, ''Bad, bad, I'm very
sorry that he's that sort; I never
suspected Of all others; and Jennie
likes him.
The farmers first impulse was to
nip in the bud The acquaintance be-
tween Jennie and young Bailey; but
his naturally kindly feeling ultimate
ly prevailed over his anger, and on
his next meeting with the delinquent
he abruptly addressed him.,
s."You are counting my daughterT'
Harry Bailey admitted the fact
bashfully.
"Aud you make the fires for the
Orthodox ChurehY' continued the
old man.
Harry assented.
sand furnish the wooa?"
'Yes," said the young man, grow.
ing red and white by turns.
"Perhaps you would like to have
the mysterious explosion in church
last Sunday explained l knew my
wood pile was gooing somewhere,
and put small charge of powder in
one of the sticks. ! need not say
that I was surprised to find you were
the thief, as you dared come court
ing my daughter!'
Harry qaailed before the stern,
clear glance of tue old man.
II know I'm too mean to live,
much less TO love her" he broke out.
81 don't expect you to overlook it. /
had hard year on the farm; you
know what losses met. Imeant to
pay it back again, but | don't expect
you to believe me. One thing / beg
don't tell her anything about it;
couldn't bear to have her think so
badly Of me-"
The old man regarded the asham-
ed, repentant face with pity.
"Look here, Harry" he said, "rn
forgive you and will not mention il
TO soul if you'll look me in the
face and promise soIemnly to be
strictly honest from this time FORTH"
Bailey canght his hand gratefully,
and he felt his reward begin as he
saw the shadow of new hope dawn
ing on the troubled face. II solemn
y promise" he said, ''nerer again to
touch penny's worth Of anything
that is not lawfully my own
CAT the end of the year you can
rave Jennie if you want her, and we
will unite the farms"
With an OVERLOOKING heart Harry