The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1881-06-07

office, but he, too, was out. Almost
wild with alarm, the poor child now
turned her steps homeward. She was
but short distance Off when che met
Notwithstanding man dressed In black,
whose countenance was the very index
Of benevolence. Taking him for
physician, she took hold of him eagerly,
excalmlng, oh, doctor, my mother Is
dying Come, quick ~
Where do you live, my child 7" said
the individual addressed, evidently
touched by the ohlld's tone and manner.
"Come, and will show you. You
are almost there" she said, moving
away step or two, and pulling the
strangers garment that she still tightly
grasped.
He followed, and In II few minutes
entered the humble dwelling of the
widow Of Lieut.. s..
Shortly after her child had left the
house, Mrs. S. recovered from her
falntlng fit, into which she had sudden
ly fallen, and half conJecturing the
cause OF little Flora's absence, was await
ing with some anxiety for her return.
When she entered with the individual
she supposed to be physician, Mrs.
s. was half reclining on the pillows
of her bed. The child sprang TO her,
and clasping her eagerly around the
neck, buried her face In her bosom and
sobbed violently. The stranger ap-
preached the bedside, regarding Mrs.
S. with earnest attention as he did
SO. After inqurlng her name, he asked
the cause of her sickness, and very soon
understood that nature had been over
tasked
81 must prescribe something for you"
he said, sitting thoughtfully for u few
moments and taking out his pencil he
wrote upon small piece of paper,
folded it carefully, and said, as he hand
ed 1t to Mrs. S.: Send for this; /
think it will do you good. Tomorrow
/ will either see you again myself, or
send to know how you are"
The stranger spoke in calm, earnest
voice, while benlgnant expression
pervaded his fine face. His tone and
looks were all familiar to Mrs. -, but
in the bewilderment of the moment she
could not for her life tell who he was.
AS soon as he had retired she unfolded
the paper. She was not long in doubt
1t was check for 500, and the sigma
ture was that of George Washington.
On the next day clerk from one of
the departments visited Mrs. s. and
made the most minute inquiries of her
conceal anything, for the visitor was
one of her husbands best friends.
Not many weeks after this, while
Mrs. S. sat writing at her table, for
she had felt it to be her duty to resume
her task of copying for the department,
although she did not work incessantly,
some one suddenly opened the door and
entered. She looked up quickly--a wild
cry of Joy followed-in a moment after
she was on her fathers bosom, clinging
to him as eagerly as a drowning man
clings to whatever comes within his
grasp. The old man threw his arms
around his child, and wept with her.
His proud heart was broken down. For
years he had striven to forget that Caro-
line lived, but in dreams she would
come to him and plead his forgiveness
so earnestly that in his waking hours
he still saw her fearful eyes lifted to his
and heard her tender appeals. But
pride was strong, and still resisted all
the promptings of nature. He was in
this state of mind when he received
letter from the capitol. 1t was signed
by Gen. Washington, and briefly but
earnestly represented to him the condi-
ton of his child, and begged him not to
forget that he was still father
This was enough. Selfish pride all
gave way, and he hurried to the city to
seek his long banished and much.sufler-
ing child, who was soon restored to the
bosom of her family. The ''loan, - as
Mr.. NJ delicately called it, was re-
turned to Gen. Washington short time
aftarward