The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1880-05-20
The old man smiled wearily.
"Tell me all about it," he said.

| Iell me all about II, he SAID.
Georgia briefly recounted the story of
his illness, touching but lightly on what
he had done and laying great stress on
the interest of the men.
But, now, old man, you'll soon be
up and among 'em," he concluded, with
a cheerful laugh.
NO." said the old fellow, with the
same weary smile, "but-but | thank
you"
"Oh, nonsenge-thats all right
you're only a leetle shook up, you know
its material after being as fur down as
you've been. You'll soon be all right
cheer up, and don't let yer sand run out;
besides, I've got letter for you"
Letter-for meP" and the old mans
lace lighted up with an eagerness that
sent a tremor through Georgia's honest
heart, lest the missive, after all, should
not be for him. He got it, however,
and rave it into the trep,hl hands,
Yes, yes" said the old fellow, its
her writing, know-like her mothers
oh, how long it has been coming
but now"-and his poor weak, shaking
hands vainly strove to open it.
Let me, "said Georgia, kindly.
The old man let him take the letter,
and then said suddenly, but in low,
even tone: Hold on, Georgia"
Georgia paused.
Georgia, said the old fellow, looking
him steadily in the eye, you've been
kind to me - very kind - and I've got
nothing to show for it--nothing but con-
fdence. I'm going to tell you some.
thing, Georgia, and then-then you can
read that letter and you'll understand
all the good news it contains"
He paused moment and closed his
eyes. Then he continued:
Georgia, l was a likely sort of a
young chap years ago-not such good
for-nOthing galOot as I am now, and ]
married, Georgia-married the best girl
in old Pennsylvania. was mighty
happy-too happy, partncr-that's what
made it so hard when she died. We
had one child-a girl-and we called her
Alice-my wife's name. She was wee
little thing when her mother died and
so very, very pretty, 1t was hard Enes
on ne, Georgia, and somehow got to
drinking. | know it did me no good
and know it wasn't right, but man
don't reason much when he's desperate
like, and so drank and drank, l sold
out everything and put my little girl
my little Alice-with my wife, brother
He had a family of his own and what
could lonely broken-hearted man like
me do for dear little grip Georgia, il
they'd come to me and talked good and
gentle they could have made man OF
me, but they didn't. They wouldn't lei
me come into their house, and they said
that I'd killed my wife by drinking
Georgia, it was lie - a lie. never
drank a drop till she died, and ]
wouldn't have done it then if I'd had
any one to sympathize with me. But !
hadn't; l was alone in the world-alone
with my great grief, and" and the old
mans voice broke, and his poor, thin
hands went nervously over the blanket
while two tears stole from his hot eyes,
and trickling down the pale, pinched
cheeks lost themselves in the gray hairs
of his beard.
"Well Georgia." he said, presently,
"they got an order from the court Civ
ing the guardianship of my child-mS
Alice-to her uncle, because they said
l was unfit to take care of her, Georgia,
if but one kind word had been said
only one--I wouldn't have been the
fool I was. Well, / left and came West.
Istopped drinking. fhave never touched
a drop since Alice was taken from me.
You believe me, Georgia."
eyes," said Georgia.
CATER awhile l wrote to her uncle,
and l told him Of my new life and asked
him if l couldn't at least write to my
little girl. That was in '67, ard she
was ten years old. lie took no notice
ofmy letter."
Hes -" broke in Georgia, but
suddenly checked himself before con
c.GuiG=
Then 1 thought perhaps he hadn't
got it, so got my money together and
went East. But he had, Georgia; he
had. 1t was no use, though. He
wouldn't believe in me and wouldn't
let me see my little girl. He said she
should never know but what he was
her father, at least until she was of age.
tried the courts, but l spent all my
money without changing the decree.
Then gave 1t up and came back West |
again. ] gained one thing, though.
The judge said that when Alice was
twenty-one she should be offered the
choice of coming to me, her father, or
remaining with her guardian. l had to
rest satisfied, and worked and worked |
to get money for my little girl. I |
scrimped some, Georgia, but there's |
nearly twelve thousand dollars in the |
bank for her now," and the old mans |
voic. and manner were full ofpride.
She was twenty-one last June, and |
I've been waiting for her letter. l
knew it would come. Oh, Georgia, if |
she only knew how l worked for her;
how i have waited, all alone, but still |
working ana va Aing but sue has writ.
ten now, and tomorrow, Georgia--to-
morrow, or next day, must start
East. We shall be very, very happy
together, and-but read the letter--you
know all now," and the lids closed
again over the fcvered eyes, and the
poor old man softly murmured, little
Alice, little Alice"
Georgia tore omen tne envelone and