The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1880-08-03
. Srlfrt Stury.
THE LITTLE CHAP.
By KATE KIRK.

For years l was the constant compan-
ion of my owner. He never went out
without either carrying lne on his back
or arm. He was known to he rough,
hard hearted man, but was always care
ful of me, probably because ! held so
many of his secrets / well remember
the day be bought me and took me to
his home, not a very inviting one. How
ever, as long as it pleased him had no
right to complain. At night used to
lie on the foot of the bed or on chair.
During the day ! was at his Office, except
when I accompanied him on business
tours. / was rather vain when ! was
young, but all such foolish ideas have
left me now, for / am worn out and look
so shabby that my twin brother would
hardly recognize me, When my owner
was greatly pleased with himself, that is
when he had had stroke OF good luck,
be used to hug me tightly, slap me on
the breast and say, "You are sharp
one. They didn't fool you that time
You we're up to their tricks, old boy and
taught them one they never learned be-
-fora'' Then he would mutter something
about bulls and bears, and corners, and
puts and calls, but never understood
just what be meant.
One day couple of gentlemen were
in the office talking and laughing about
my owner. Une of them asked:
"Why does the old curmudgeon wear
such shabby overcoat2'
81 will tell you," replied the other.
"The FIRST stroke of luck he ever had
came to him on the day he bought it,
He. like the majority of tignt-fisted,
money-grabbing men. is superstitious
and believes that that old coat influences
his fortunes. Those who know him well
have learned to watch every move he
makes when he appears in that disreputa-
BILE garment. / have seen him wear il
on the hottest day in summer as well as
the coolest day in winter" r.
Just then my owner came in, rubbing
bis thin hands and looking wonderfully
pleased, as be informed his visitors that
NJ. C. had tumbled and R. J. had shot
up like a rocket. He said something
about margins and doubling up. As the
gentlemen rushed ont of the Office he
chuckled and remarked that be guessed
they were badly bitten. a 4
NV owner was not social in his habits
No one ever called to see him except on
business. He used to sit night after
night in bis solitary chamber counting
his gains and talking to himself. On a
certain night of each year he would un-
lock tin box he kept in his room, take
from it some old letters and woman's
picture, which be would hold in his hand
for hours, and as he gazed yearningly at
the beautiful face, his own would appear
to grow younger-probably because his
thoughts strayed back to his youthful
days. and the reflection from his mind
shone through in his countenance.
Before replacing the letters in the box
he would kiss them tenderly, and laying
the portrait on his breast woald fold his
arms over it as II, in imagination, he held
some fair young creature in that passion
ate embrace. II 4sq
On one of these anniversary nights,
when lie was looking at these memen,oes
of bis youth, great sob burst from his
lips. and be cried out: -. -
'"Gone- -gone forever! All! WE'LL" he
sighed, II suppose the fault was wholly
mine. | was hard, cruel and exacting
and she was sc young. Happiness was
within my reach, but cast it away. ]
wanted to make her my slave as wei
az my wife. / might have nodded
her to my will had / been more gentle
and forbearing, for I think she loved n,
may did dnot her own sweet lips tell mi
SOP Little Hearlea e, used to Gull her
Where are you to night, darling? !.
wonder il you cling to the pastas I do
Did the separation embi,ter your life a
lit has mine? What a fool am I" b.
continued with a mockiDg laugh, "as
l did not know she married years ago
and by this time has probably forgottel
I ever existed. But can one entirely for
get the love Of early youth Memor,
, follows me like some horrid spectre, gil
ing my heart with bitter, unavailing re
gret. God grant that you have bee
spared this suffering. little Heartease II
The entrance of the landlady holdin
small boy by the hand, brought his &C
lilloquy to an abrupt conclusion. Sh
lexplained that some one rang the bel
, and when she went to the door she foun
the child there with letter addressed t
her lodger. AS nv owner read the lettt
a look of anguish came over his hare
: wrinkled face; then lifting the child
his arms he scanned it closely ,and kisse
the brown, curly head glittering with raj