Connecticut western news., 1880-05-12

cheerful laugh.
 "No," said the old fellow, with th' same weary smile, "but-but I thanl you"
 "Oh, nonsense--that's all right you're only leetle shook up, you knov its nateral after being as fur dow as you've been. You'll soon be al right-cheer up, and don't let your sant run out; besides, I've got letter fo1 you"
 "Letter-for me P and the old mans face lighted up with an eagerness tha sent tremor through Georgia's hones heart, lest the missive, after all, should not be for him. He got it, however, an6 gave it into the trembling hands.
 Yes, yes," said the old fellow, "it'E her writing, know-ike 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, look, ing him steadily in the eye, "you've been kind to me-very kind-and I've got nothing to show for it-nothing but confidence. I'm going to tell you some thing, Georgia, and then-then you can read the letter and you'll understand all the good news it contains"
 He paused moment and winked his eyes. Then he continued.
 "Georgia, was 8 likely sort of young chap years ago-not such @ good-for- nothing galoot as I am now, and I mar ried, Georgia married the best girl in old Pennsylvania. I was mighty happy too happy, partner-that's what made it go so hard when she died. We had one child-a girl-and we called her Alice-my wife's name. She was a wee little thing when her mother died and so very, very pretty. It was hard lines on me, Georgia, and somehow got to drink ing. I know it did me no good and I know 1t wasn't right, but man don't reason much when he's desperate like, and so I drank and drank. I sold out everything and put my girl-my little Aice-with my wife's brother. He had family of his own, and what could @ lonely, broken-hea1 ted man like me do for dear little girl? Georgia, if they'd come to me and talk good and gentle they could have made man of me, but they didn't. They wouldn't let me come into their house, and they said that I'd killed my wife by drinking. Georgia it was lie. I never drank drop till she died, and I wouldn't have done it then if I'd anyone to sympathize with me. But I hadn't; Twas alone in the world-alone with my great grief, and" and the poor mans voice broke, and his poor thin hands went nervously over the blanket, while two tears stole from his hot eyes, and, tricking 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 giving the guardianship of my child-my Alice to her uncle, because they said I was unfit to take care of her. Georgia, if but one kind word had been said-only one T wouldn't have been the fool was We'll, I left and went West. I stopped drinking. have never touched @ drop e;noo A1;oo 1,,oe 4o1yar fro,,, mo Vo,, bo ieve me, Georgian"
 "Yes," said Georgia.
 s'After while I wrote to her uncle, and told him of my new life and asked him if I couldn't at least write to my lit tie girl. That was in '67, and she was ten years old. He took no notice of my let ter Then I thought perhaps he hadn' t got it, so I got my money together and went East. But he had, Georgia; he had. It was no use, though; he wouldn' t believe in me, and wouldn't let me see my little girl. He said she should nev- CT know but what he was her father, at least until she was of age. I tried the courts, but spent all my money without changing the decree. Then I gave it up and came back West again. I 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 I had to rest satisfied, and I have worked and worked to get money for my little girl. I scrimped some, Georgia, but there's nearly $12,000 in bank for her now," and the old mans voice and man. ner were full of pride.
 "She was twenty one last June, and I've been waiting for her letter. I knew it would come. Oh, Georgia, if she only knew how have worked for her how I have waited, all alone, but still working and waiting; but she has written now, and tomorrow, Georgia tomorrow, or next day, I must start East. We will be very, very happy together, and-but read her letter-you know all now," and thepoor oldman murmured, ''ittle Alice, little Alice" zs-
 Georgia tore open the envelope, and unfolded the letter, and the old man fec ply drew nearer in joyful, happy eager ness. .... '...s
 "My uncle," read Georgia, unsteadily, has informed me of your relationship to me. have only to say that regret that the man whose habits killed my mother should also bear the title of my father. I sincerely hope that the Al mighty will pardon where we cannot.
 ALICE HARMER.'
 Georgia turned toward the old man.
 "Great Heavens" he said, "the Her. init is dead"
 SMALL ENoUaH.-The Lockport Jour. uoz tells story of defeated candidate