The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1882-12-12


miserable habits. And yet, one hour
with Ellen drove away all such thoughts.
The low, soft voice, always tinged By
her habi,uaI sadness, conveyed such a
mirror Of pure. tender heart. cnlti-
vated minds "a noble soul, that Walter for
got the coarse, mean dress, the many
stories rife in the factory of Ellen g
stinginess. and knew he loved her as he
had never before loved any woman
But when the silver tankard was pre-.
sented to Mr.. R,dman, and Ellen's name
was not upon the list of contributors to
the gift, alter experienced sharp
pang of disappointment. He knew thai
his fathers recommendation had gained
Elen her first place in the factory, thai
sbe had found O firm friend in him, an6
owed her rapid advancement to his in
terest and influence. And yet she had
refused her mite to the gift that testified
the good feeling of her fellow workers
4 in the factory!
i Father and son had long been conf
ldential friends, and on the evening fol
1lowIngthe presentation the latter opene,
his heart and told all his doubts ani
fears. Mr. Rodmaa listened quietly.
sYetsyou love Etler,' he eald.
81 love her," replied Walter, shut
lcould never be happy with a miserls
iwife.
jas"Poor Ellen, how little she deserve,
THAT reproach - said Mr.. Rodman. 81
shallgiolate asconfdence reposed in me
Walter, when tell you how you mis-
Judge her, but think can trust you.'
"Has she told you her secret ?"
"Na. heard the story from the cler-
gymsnof Lenwood, her native village
who wrote to me before she came here
Heis an old friend of mine, and knew
he could conide 10 me. / will tell yor
whet lie wrote to me. Six years age
Ellen's mother died, leaving in her cart
q siekly step, ,hrother, then eleven year;
told.s Her own father had left Ellen {
pretty cottage, and she had a small in.
come from the fruit aud poultry on the
place, while she made q sufficient living
tesching music and playing the organ il
the church. Whep her mother died
leaving Stephen Grady, her step brothsr
an orphan and penniless for her step
father before his death ssquandered al
lher mothers little fortune). Ellen prom.
Used to care for the boy. Remember
she was but sixteen herself, though early
Ecare bad matnred her far beyond her
tactual years.
! The boy grew up like his father, reck-
less of expenditure, loose in princlple
yet tender to his sister-mother, and ONT
lof those loving scapegraces who always
win some good woman's devotion. HI
won Ellen's She thought herself bound
| by her promise to her mother to make
tevery sacrifice for Siephen, and she faith.
sul.y-tried to lsad Linn away from tn,
companions and evil influence that were
running his life. Three years ago
friend of Mrs. Grady took Stephen int
his CO, ntlng-house. Here be was t.
learn bookkeeping, and for time b
worked steadily. Then the bad compa
ny which had ruined his boyhood aga il
exer,ed an evil influence. and he ha(
learned to gamble. Remember, Walter
be was but fourteen, and Ellen bnt fivt
years old.
Zone of his accomplishments was th'
power of initiating handwriting, and by
the persuasion OF some older heads ht
] ohooIy for tua thnncop6 do 10 RI
on The firm he was with. The CHECK
passed the bank undetected, for thu
Cashier was in the habit of paving ovel
large sums to Grady But when it was
returned to the firm the forgery was dis
covered and traced to Stephen-then tht
truth came ont that he had gamblet
away the entire amount, and the two
men who had urged the crime and pock
eted the money had fed, leaving the lac
to bear the consequences. He was ar
rested, and repentance came when b.
saw the full consequence of his acts.
ut was then that Ellen proved her
self the noble woman believe her to be
She was suffering already for her broth
er's crime, having lost her place as or
ganist, and most of her music pupil
having left her. Despite all this, sb
went 10 the firm aud pleaded for .h
lad. Her eloquence gained him some
thing. They agreed not to prosecute
but to allow the boy to leave the town
and go to an uncle who was willing t.
give him another trial in a Western city
if-mark thet if, Waller Ellen woult
pay the $4,000 and interest within twt
years.
"She undertook the task. Stephel
was released and sen. to bis father
brother, where be is doing we'll, and EIlel
left her home and came here, hoping 70
higher wages than she could earn in be
own town. /, knowing all, advanced
her interest in every way. Month afte
month, denying herself everything bu
the merest necessaries of life, she ba
sent her earnings to wipe of her broth
er's debt. With The rent of the hous
and what she saves here she has paid
all, the last instsllment being acknowl
edged IN letter handed to her yester
day. You can understand why she coulC
not take even few dollars 10 subscrib
for a present to me when I tell you tn
two years expired on the very day whel
the last hundred dollars was received
Now, Walter, you know Ellen's secret
Judge for yourself if she is miser."
"She is as noble and self.sacrificing a
my heart always told me she was, il
spite of appearance - said Walter, warm
ly. "To-morrow will see if she ca
, ever return uy love"
"Not tomorrow" said Mr.. R,dmau
smiling. "Ellen went home this after
noon, her task finished. Out OF the sur
!, paid her for the last week Of her to
here, she begged the acceptance of th
, copy of LoDgfellow upon the table bs
side you, asking me to believe she wa
I grateful for all my kindnes, to her. Il
3 her rest little from her long strain {
self-sacrifice and toll. Walter; and thel
if you can win her love, / will glad
| give her daughters place in n
e heart"
Winter bad come and gone and sprir
!, sunshine was making all nature gla
< when, one CHEEKY morning, the ira
through Eenwood left single passe
: ger at the village station. He was a ta
handsome man, dressed well, witho
e foppishness, and be inquired OF M
y at the station for the residence Of hi
T. Churchill.
T. ,sTha firek wh;ta coftaue ae Won I'm