The Arkansaw traveler. (Little Rock, Ark.) 1882-1???, 1883-09-22
AMALDA.
CHAPTER I.

Megson was a small farmer. His fore
fathers had owned large tract Of land,
reaching for miles along the river, but
certain claim which appeared swept the
vast extent Of fertile soil from the heirs of
the great estate, leaving the "boys with
nothing but their own resources, that is,
the resources insured by health and
strength. The" boys" as it happened,
were comparatively old men, SO the re-
sources Of strength could not be put
down as vas, acquisition in view of the
great loss sustained. Joseph Megson,
the eldest of the boys, secured, after great
labor, small tract of land, skirting a
creek. Although advanced in years, he
still INDUCED fond hope that one day
he would be the owner of a great estate
which he could call his own. He had
but one child, Amalda, who, girl in the
more refined sense, yet boy in physical
activity, assisted him in all his work, and
shared his hope of landed importance.
"Amalda, this will make bale to the
acre." said The old man, emptying his
cotton into large basket near the fence.
The drouth has been bad, but down
here where the land don't feel the need
OF rain we will realize good CROP"
Il think so,' the girl replied.
mr. he ret I alr ell
old man continued, "must 60 fer buying
you a new dress. IL is a shame that
girl like you should work so hard and
never see anything Of society. But
can't help it," he added petulantly. 81
can't help it. God knows would have
you at city school if could"
what are you talking about, dad"
she rejoined affectionately. Didn't |
come out here of my own free will.
Didn't you and mother used to work to-
gether before you became rich? You lost
il all, | know, but you realized that your
work had borne fruit even though it was
not quite ripe"
eyes, girl, we worked together, but We
had something to work for. was work.
ing for her love and she was working for
mine, but whose love can YOU be work
ing for?"
"Yours, dad"
Child, my love is nothing. |, is the
love Of father, but the love of an old
man is always selfish, for he knows that
he cannot give as much as he demands.
When was young and worked with your
mother. before the great estate came into
the possession of the sons, worked with
encouragement, for her bright eyes and
encouraging smile urged me on, but what
encouragement can you find in my dull
eyes and shrunken face?''
But you can find encouragement, in
my young face, dad"
"Oh, have encouragement enough.
1t is you whom want to encourage"
- am encouraged. know tina, your
gain is my gain, that your happiness is
my happiness
=" II is time, though, girl, that you had
lover. Nature must take her course
81 have lover
"Who:' demanded the old fellow
looking up with the quick eye of jealousy.
"You, dad
The old man laughed and rubbed his
back against the top rail OF the low fence
" You are a SLY girl, Amalda," he said.
you are sly girl, but am not too old
to see that you are beautiful"
The girl hid her face and said: "Why,
dad, you ought to be ashamed Of your
self"
"lf you were not sensible girl, child,
would not say it. Can't you let your
father tell you the truth. lfsome country
youngster had told you so, you would
have smiled at him, but you think i'll of
anything that comes from your old father"
"No, If some country youngster had
told me that am beautiful should have
turned my back on him for his impudence,
blu, when you tell me so, it makes met
makes me-"
"Blush," added the old man. al be-
lieve we are lovers" he said, regarding
her with look Of great affection. "Some-
times when look at you think that you
are your mother and that am young
again. Then want to take you in my
arms and kiss you.'
why don't you, dad 2" she said with
frightening face.
g | WILL and showing cotton basket
aside, he took his daughter in his arms.
al don't blame you, old gentleman"
exclaimed voice from the other side of
the fence, and young fellow looked over
the rails.
He's my father" said the girl. motto
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