Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1882-12-14


went on, with her voice quavering
and her poor eyes streaming, till ]
wanted to fog uncle and to cry my
self for companys
aYou told me never to mention her,
and I haven't until tonight, but
somehow must speak. I can't forget
the only being I ever held to my
bosom, the only voice that ever called
me mother. can't put the mothers
love away and forget her as you have
done. You are hard man, Andrew,
for you have never let me inquire
if my child is dead or alive. But I'll
soon know, for my heart is broken,
and I'm dying, though you won't see
it."
/ saw uncle give her one sharp look,
and then | suppose her paleness scared
him, for he answered her quite mildly
for him:
Nonsense, nonsense, Helen; what's
done, is done. and don't regret it.
wish you'd be sensible woman, and
understand that when Cecile set her
parents at defiance, and threw herself
away on that low-born yagabond for
tune-hunter, she chose between us.
She did it with her eyes open. Do you
think I'd give the scamp chance to
make ducks and brakes of my money p
"But I can't forget her, Andrew"
aunt went on, with so much spirit that
declared was as much surprised as
if my pigeons should bristle up for a
fight with wolf. All your orders
can't drive her out of my heart and
break the tie between us. She's cur
child--the child God gave us, and we
foohshly indulged every idle whim,
until she grew to believe that it was
right for her to have her own way.
"Her fancy for that man was whim,
and she was such a child, such poor
willful child, and we md made her so,
that you had no right to cast her off as
you have done. The sin Of her conduct
lies as much at our doors as at hers.
Andrew, before another year / expect
to stand face to face with my God and
hear Hi n ask, What hast thou done
with the immortal soul of the innocent
child l gave thee?'"
Uncle got as red as turkey-cock and
jumped up.
For mercy's sake, Helen," he cried,
stop preaching at me. 1 can't and 1
won't stand it r and then he marched
out of the room; but I could see by
his face that what aunt said hit him
hard, specially as it was she who said it.
She was SO quiet and meek that he
had trampled her down always, and
she never gave sign before. Not that
he didn't love her, for he did. But
then he was born tyrant and wanted
slaves.
Well, the folks all came the next
day, host of them, and we boys had
fine time skating on the pond and
rowing down the river to Duck Swamp.
We didn't kill but one duck, but we
had lots of fun. At night we had
music and games and candy-pulling,
for we were determined to see the old
year out in the good old fashion.
A few minutes before midnight a
long procession formed, two and two,
aunt and uncle heading it, and
marched downstairs to the big hall
door. 1t was shut, and I stood on one
side to throw it open at the last stroke
of IL.
"Now, good folks" cried uncle,
make your wishes, and may the en-
trance of the New Year give each Of
US our hearts desire"
Amenl' said aunt, so solemnly that
everybody laughed but me. / knew
what she meant.
The great clock on the staircase
commenced striking, and at the last
stroke Of IL threw open the door, and
there was such a hubbub, and kissing,
and congratulating all around, you
couldn't hear your own ears. At least
all the aunts and girl-cousins kissed us
boys, and we didn't dare to run away
for fear Of uncle.
Well, when the fuss stopped little,
we saw something step through the
open door into the hall, which was
just as light as day. A very little
something, in blue cloak and a hood,
which fell off rs it came in.
If you'd believe it, it was the very
prettiest little girl ever saw, and she
was about three years old, I reckon.
She had long yellow curls, and cheeks
like red apples, and her eyes shone like
Mary's diamonds. She wasn't fright
ened bit, and we all staring at her,
but she looked round and said:
where's my grandpa and grandma? !?
Cecile wants to tiss 'em Happy New
Year"
We were completely stunned. Not
a word was said, and you could have
heard pin drop. Then we saw that
good old DIR. Arnold was standing back
Of the child, and in a moment he took
her by the hand and led her to aunt
and uncle
"It is Cecile's child" he said,
gravely; "her father is dead, and her
mother, / fear me, is dying at my