San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1881-09-22
THE LAST RELIC.

THE LAOl MILLING
Ills told OF young girl, some seven
teen wears of age, who, clad in deep
mourning, knocked atthe door OF o rich
mans house in one OF our large cities,
and asked eagerly for the owner. The
servant, who, no doubt, partaking OF
the demeanor of his master, who
was deemed harsh and severe mon by
ali who knew him, was about to turn the
suppliaut from the door when her i'm
portunities touched a lingering cord OF
sympathy in his heart, and he announ'
ced her 70 the lordly owner OF the NAH
sion. He was indeed, very stern man,
and apparently hard and unfeeling in
his nature. There were deep wrinkles
On his brow, which seemed to donate
that he had not passed through lie
without partaking Of some OF its sorrows
and many Of its cares. He was in a
deem reverie when the servant entered;
perhaps he was counting his gains, or
L NAV be, bringing back the past
before him as in glass, and counting
mn his hours from childhood to his
weary age. Who knows? How few
care But strange it was even to the
servant, who knew SO well the forbid
ding nature OF his masters, when after
a moments hisitation the rich man
said, "Let her come in"
In q moment the poor girl was in his
presence. It was q strange contrast;
chat weak, trembling being treading
upon soft carpets in the meek habili.
ments of poverty in the presence OF
the owner Of millions-she in her deep
humility. aud he is ia the loneliness OF
wealth, She stood before him, and in
low, trembling tones, that where full OF
melancholy sweetness said:
"Sir, T am stranger in distress; ] am
a fatherless child, and my loved mother
is now severely i'll. For many months
I have labored hard to sustain her, but
poverty comes too fast upon us. We
are poor, but we are not beggars; we
came from far country, and are stran-
gers. One by one we have parted with
all our little valu bles, and here is the
last relic OF loved father. He gave it
to me as keepsake something to
keep for his dear memory; but alas!
starvation is stern thing, and necessi-
ty knows no law. You are rich = some
saw you are unkind, and yet I have
yentured; will you buy it, sir?"
She ceased speaking, and the rich
man appeared touched; he looked at
the speaker with glance in which ten
derness seemed struggling with the
morose feeling which had for so many
wears CONCEALED into ice the more ten
der emotions of his nature.
4Look up, young lady," said he.
His voice had in it tone of sympa-
thy that gave her confidence; and she
raised her eyes timidly to the penetrat-
ing glance Of him in whose presence
she stood.
"Let me examine the article you wish
me to buy, and although not doing bust
ness, yet perhaps l may be induced to
help your present necessities.
The girl, with trembling hands, took
from her neck o black ribbon, at the
end of which there was attached rich
jewel of gold. 1t was singular shape,
and upon its two sides were engraved
certain characters of which its pleading
possessor knew not the meaning; and
vet she priced it much as the gift of
dearly loved father; and as she almost
placed it in the hands OF
him whom she sought to be its purcha-
ser. she pleaded:
awhen times get good again, sir, i
can buy it back; but oh! buy it now,
sir, that may get bread for my mother,
and procure that medicine that her
malady requires :.
The rich man had taken the jewel in
his hand, he passed the ribbon through
his fingers, and at last looked upon the
article he was solicited to buy. Why
does he start? Why turn CHASTITY pale.
and sink into the richly cushioned chair
that was behind, cover his hands, and
weep like a child! Why press that
jewel to his lips. and then to his heart,
and again weep?
Reader, do You ask why? The jewel,
the last relic of that poor unfriended
girl and her afflicted mother, was that
Of a Mark Master, aud it belonged to
the only brother of him to whom it was
offered for sale. OH how deep was
the struggle within that mans breast
BE was rich in all this world can afford
Of worldly goods, but meagre IN those