The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1879-05-22

And | have lived silently ever since.
One year after that | heard that Rich
ards mother was dead, and then that he
had married; who, knew not-who,
cared not He had married another wo-
man while my last words were yet ringing
in his ears-right there before the face OF
the living Heaven, married another woman,
and swOre 10 love and cherish her, as he
had often vowed to love and cherish me!
But did not seem to feel this blow as !
had felt our parting just flung him out
of my heart there and then, and my love
and my silence vanished. | looked into
the face of my misery with a smile, and !
took this little shop in the village, and
worked early and late, and made ii thrive.
Then, two years latter, came my little Tod
dies to me, sitting like lily on my door
step, as if some angel of peace had dropped
her there. Ihave named her Theresa, but
Toddles has always been her own pet name
for herself, and like it because it is hers.
The child has brought me peace. And |
feel no vengeance against any one now.
Nor do rejoice that Richards wife is said
to have turned out ill, and spent the wealth
she brought him.
But | had forgotten the shop in all this
reverie and reminiscence.
There was sharp twang of the little
bell, and heard a heavy step in the door
way. sat down my coffee-cup hastily,
and hurried in to confront a great muscu-
lar fellow with a big beard and slouched
hat, whose presence seemed fairly to wipe
out the little shop.
This was rather different type from my
usual customers, and was a little shy of
him. He hesitated, and seemed bewildered
when / spoke to him-men never do get
used to shopping-and it was some time be-
fore | quite made out what he wanted. 1t
was some sort of wooden goods-a scarf
or a kerchief, / think. These were not
very salable stock just now, and had put
the box containing them out of sight some
where While l rummaged about, the
stranger stood in the doorway, watching
me in way | did not like; perhaps he
wanted to steal something. He looked
needy enough and shabby enough.
ooh, here they are at last, said !, eager
ly, handing down the package from high
and dusty shelf.
The man did not seem to hear me. He
was looking at Toddles, darting about like
butterfly outside.
"Whose child is thatl" said he abruptly.
1t was an impudent question, and | felt
my blood flush up hotly for a moment.
But | reflected that this man looked way
worn and weary; perhaps he had come a
long journey, and left a little child like this
at home.
'lt is my child, l said pleasantly.
"Yours ]" he repeated.
cor at least" said |, 'ff not mine, it
was left with me to be cared for"
'Left with you'll" echoed the stranger.
"Ay, SO ] have heard. Left with you by
the wretched man, the outcast, the degrad-
ed, who knew none else on whom to thrust
his burden when his tinselled wife fell
from the tight-rope, and died there, grow
elling in the sawdust-knew none other of
whom to seek charity than the woman who
had loved him"
listened as one stupefied with opium.
What did this man know or guess concern
ing me and mine1 What object had he in
view in lingering about the shop4 But |
said, coolly, "That is story that needs to
be proved" "
The stranger stopped and looked keenly
at me. "Verily,' said he, with low, sar-
donic laugh, che has reaped his reward, it
seems he is both dead and forgotten"
began to feel afraid of this man, who
seemed bent upon insulting or alarming
me.
l pointed sternly to the door. ''Sir, y
said |, 'if you are satisfied with the goods,
| beg you will take them away. | have
other things to attend to-
For moment after the great hulking
figure disappeared through the doorway Of
my little shop covered my face with my
hands, and all the past of my life rushed
entirely over me. | had not outlived it yet,
after all.
Suddenly | remembered Toddles, and
fastened to the door to look after her. My
customer had disappeared; the huge will
low trunk hid the road from view, but felt
relieved, for there was my little one swing
ing back and forth with the long pendants
of the willow. Only one instant | saw her
in the sunlight--one instant There came
a rushing, tearing, and tramping, a terrible
sound in the air, and great bull, tossing
his horns furiously, and with eyes glaring
madly before him, came snorting and bel
lowing up the street. The great willow
was In his course, and, o God my little
Toddles
Then | knew not whether ! tainted or
whether | screamed for help. saw tall
figure leap out from somewhere in the very
pathway of the mad animal, and the next
moment Toddles, half laughing, half cry
ing, was nesting in my arms.
The man whom had sent from my door
a few minutes since stood looking on us
yearningly-the man who had snatched my
darling from its terrible peril.
Both dead and forgotten" he said.
ooh, jeanette Jeanettel do you not know
mel"
The rainbow ribbons in the little shop
window spun dizzily round, and all things
grew dim before my eyes For knew that
way was NOlllC bdNh w lllts WI
and degraded, and deserted, perhaps he
had come back to me.
He lifted his hat, and, STOPPING kissed
the little one, who did not resist him.
81 brought you my motherless little one
years agone. A beggar and "a sinner though
| was, dared to pray your charity to my
child, whom Its mother, flying from hei
home, would have left to perish among the
gewgaws and clowns in whose company
she died. Yea, verify, my punishment has
been bitter And shall leave you now,
Jeanette, you and my child, and depart
forever, hateful in your eyes for all years
TO come, hateful when not forgottenl
But something filled my heart just then,
like the rush of mighty river. ] looked
back at my quiet life, my bright little shop
the years of silence and of sorrow. | felt
Toddles' warm heart beating against mine
He had saved her. And looked at Rich