South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1881-10-14

in her correct principles, while her
cousins only seemed to grow more
vain and selfish, living as If the world
was made only for them to enjoy. Mr..
Graham saw the difference between
the characters of his children and that
of Daisy, who always was contented
and thankful for everything done for
her, while his children claimed every
thing as their right, and grumbled
when they did not get it. lie often
reflected on himself for bringing tn, m
up in such selfish ways.
One day Mr.. Graham returned
home, looking pale and haggard. His
children did not notice his agitated
manner. but Daisy did, and her heart
ached as she timidly glanced at him.
Arthur was just then reading the eve
ming paper; his face suddenly turns
ed pale, and jumping up and pointing
to paragraph, he cried in a bitter
voice: 'lIave you failed, father p
IL thunderbolt had fallen. the
look of CONSERVATION could not have
been more visible on the faces of the
family.
'Yes!' said Mr.. Graham, Il am a
ruined man, for l have lost every
thing in the world, even this house
And what will become of us?' said
Arthur and Violet in one voice.
Il don't know said Mr. Graham.
eroaning. You will have to work
for a living, for | have absolutely
nothing
Work J said Violet, contemptuous-
ly, after we have been accustomed to
such elegance. l would rather die ?
You should not have brought us up
in such riches, if You could not afford
it, for | won't work. said Arthur.
Daisy looked shocked at the un.
feeling manner with which the chill,
dren spoke to their unfortunate par
ent. Going up to Mr. Graham, she
took his hand and kissing it, she said !:
Uncle dear, the Lord will provide
Don't go 10 preaching such nom
sense now, Daisy said Arthur
roughly.
'liush,' said Mr.. Graham, anglily,
'and don't let me hear you speak so
dlsrespecttuly again > and he bowed
his head i'll agony, left the room, and
shut himself in bis study.
Oh, Arthur and Violet, how conld
you speak SO unfeelingly?' said Daisy.
How can you expect us to feel,
when we find we are bcggars?' said
Violet.
Daisy entered her uncle's study
without knocking, and seeing revol-
yer lying on the table, exclaimed ::
oh, uncle, don't! You will be lost
soul and body Oh, uncle, cannot you
bear this tIial?'
Daisy p! he answered, you have
faith III God keep this always. Go,
now and leave me, my child.
But she continued Uncle please
trust him pray, and he will help you
Mr.. Graham took her two hands in
his and said: Daisy, my child. have
not prayed for years-since [ was a
few years older than Yourself. How
can ! pray now, when | brought up
my own children TO think they could
get on without prayer?'-they even
throw 1t up to me now. / have ruin.
ed my life and theirs: what shall /
live for
oh, uncle, God will forgive you
and hear you, you pray to him now !;
and is it not your duty to live and
teach your children the right way
Mr.. Graham said Since you have
been III my house have felt as if nv
mothers spirit had come back in you !;
she prayed for me on her death-bed
Since then ! have lived q careless life
and never prayed but as | daily
watched you, felt how wrongly I
had brought up Violet and Arthur
The Lord gave and the Lord hath
taken away said Daisy. perhaps it
is better, after all, that you have be,
come poor
Il will be n man. at any rate said
Mr.. Graham, rising and taking Daisy
ON his arms. lie then called Violet
aud Arthur, and said Children. I
have brought you up with false ideas
This world is but an empty show !.
the future life is the one we must
strive for Will you be noble. and
help me to live a new life and build
up new homer
Yes, father said Arthur. with
tears in his eyes; Il will do all | can.
! overheard all you said to Daisy, and
l will try and lead a new life
Violet was of vainer and more
selfish nature, and it was with great
deal OF bitterness that she gave up her
elegant home, TO reside in the cottage
where Daisy had spent her childhood
days. Dir. Graham built a family al.
tar the first night in their new home.
and Daisy was so happy that her tears
flowed for JOY.
Daisy soon found employment in
painting and designing dinner cards
and Hf,fnfr i.rr,f.1l.r.