The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-02-14
TRe Fourth Of July Orator.

and addressing pretty girl of nineteen,
his only child and the comfort of his old
age.
80 it seems, papa" responded Bertha's
sweet voice while the coarse sewing which
she held trembled in her grasp.
Hes to give us our Fourth of July ora
ton at the Town Hall. III be bound he
speaks well. A promising young fellow,
eh, Birdie?"
"Yes, papa, I dare say"
''His family are proud as Lucifer-ridi-
culously proud, seeing this world is not
their abiding place. But the youngster is
well enough; as modest, well-meaning,
pleasant-spoken young fellow as you'll
often meet He was sweet on you, Birdie,
o year ago. Don't whistle him back, for
don't want him to rob my nest, even if he
can put my bird in gold cage"
''No danger, papa DEAR" replied Bertha,
with painful blush.
AT all events, Birdie, we'll 60 and listen
to the precious Grafton with the best of
them"
The captain resumed his pipe and paper,
and soon Bertha stole softly out to the cool
veranda with her sewing
Her home was small house in the old
part of the town. 1t stood back from the
road, and was almost hidden from view by
trees of magnificent growth; otherwise the
location would have been unpleasant, for
trade had grown up all around it, and there
were no pleasant residences near Wealth
and fashion had long since taken their
flight to other quarters. Opposite was the
old Town Hall, really venerable building,
rarely used now save on the occasion of
some patriotic celebration. The house had
been purchased years ago, when Bertha was
a baby; the only one of all her mothers
babies who lived and thrived.
Captain Howard had passed most of his
time at sea- always looking forward to SET
ting down at home as soon as he shouli
have amassed enough wealth for comfort
But he was unfortunate. Shipwrecks, dis
astrous speculations treachery from thos
i'll whom he had confded, followed eacl
other Like shadows; and SO he kept follow
ing on the heels of prosperity, but never
succeeded in laying the OBTAINING grasp on
her. So year after year rolled by, and he
was still at sea, coming home OCCASIONALLY.
Bertha, under the care of her superior,
well-educated mother, developed into a
beautiful girl. Her school life threw her
with the best young people of the place.
Her intellectual superiority and culture
commanded respect; her lovely character
and extreme sweetness of disposition won
love. She was prime favorite both with
her teachers and schoolmates.
At sixteen poor Bertha lost her mother.
and Capt. Howard returned to his saddened
home. Three years father and daughter
had passed together in moderate compe-
tency.
August Brevoort had been her lover A.
ways She had been his little favorite
during schooldays, and when these ceased
no one disputed with him his claim to es-
cort her from church and evening meetings,
or to parties and little entertainments
Many of their young companions regarded
them ''as good as engaged" But the Bre-
WORT family were intensely proud; espe-
cially Augusts eldest sister. Her marriage
to the scion of distinguished English
family had increased her hauteur, and made
her more ambitious than ever for the ad-
vancement of her only brother. 1t was
owing to her influence that August ac-
companied her and her husband to Europe
Prior to the departure Bertha had ex-
pected August to come and say good-by,
and to exchange the promise of love that
had been given thousand times in all but
words. She waited in vain; he did not
come, and she received no word of farewell.
She was forced to the agonizing conclusion
that he had yielded to the wishes of his am
bilious friends and given her up. For a
year she had struggled to hide her sorrow,
and to make home cheerful and happy for
her aged father It had been exceedingly
heavy work.
| As she sat on the veranda on the warm
summer day on which our story opens, a
great tear fell on her work, followed by an
other and another till her eyes were dimmed.
Her needle went aslant and pricked her
finger, and her work dropped from her
hands. She gazed through the trees over
at the old Town Hall wistfully.
'I shall see and hear him there" thought
she, land crowds of other will see and hear
him also. He is rich, happy, courted and
content. How could have believed his
youthful love for me would have endured :