The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1883-11-08
A SWEET OONSOLER.

Our story will not point q moral, nor
adorn any particular life-lcsson, but it
will present one of those heart-pictures
--one of those little episodes of every
day life-pleasant to hear and see, and
pleasant to remember. In fact, what
beautiful creations of the artist, hanging
upon the walls of our homes, are those
bright, sunny spots upon the page of
life resulting from deeds and incidents
that give joy and gladness to the heart.
And one of them | will give you.
George Barrows had been born and
reared in the town of Ayrville, away
among the New England hills, as his
father had been reared before him. He
had attended school until he was fifteen
years of age, at which time his father
had died, leaving him with a mother
and an invalid sister, and with but little
of this worlds goods to rely upon.
George was now healthy, rugged,
hearty boy, with an education really
superior to the majority of boys of his
age, for he had loved study, and he had
been moved by an ambition to be
scholar. He had tlattered himself that
he would go through college before his
studies were given up. But, alas! the
bright promise.
Mr.. Barrows had died in August
Early in November George sat down
with his mother to look over the situa-
ton. There was mortgage upon the
pretty cottage equal in amount to half
it's value, and while the widow was at
her wits end, her son submitted this
simple proposition:
Not far away was very comfortable
and convenient little cottage. which they
could have, with a clear title. by sur
rendering their legal claims upon their
present home. Or they could sell land
enough from their present lot to pay off
the mortgage. George preferred the
exchange, because thus they would have
as good garden as they now had, the
difference in value resulting chiefly
from location. Their present home was
near the center of the village, where
land was valuable, while the other
cottage was in the suburbs half a mile
distant.
At length the widow consented so sell
the old home and remove to the sub
urban cottage. 1t pulled upon the
heart-strings ut first, but she became
used 10 it after time, and the thought
of being free from debt made her con-
tent, and almost happy.
George had left school, and was look
ing for business. His father had been
house carpenter, and had left n val
liable assortment of tools, and the boy
finally resolved to follow in the pater-
nal footsteps. So he engaged himself to
good carpenter, and went to work in
earnest. And be sure he worked with
q will, and his superior education was
u help to him.
His mastery of figures and his init
mate knowledge of mathematical rules
enabled him to conquer the mysteries
of framing and calculating the need OF
material, while many an older hand nj
the trade was plodding along over the
| fore-plane and chisel and mallet.
At the age of twenty-one George Bur-
rows had served his time, and was
eagerly hired by his old master at good
| journey yman's wages. And he was able
to earn more than this. Being capable
architect, and able to make plans fol
the guidance of others, lie was paid ex
ira for all work of that kind.
On the day that George was twenty
two his employer. Mr.. Towne, took hin
into partnership; and now he was able
not only to give his mother new com
forts, but to employ better medical as
sistance for his sister.
George had been q member of thu
village choir for several years, and hat
now come to be its leader.
On a certain evening the choir met a
the house of Deacon Larrabe for re
hearsal, and there our hero made new
acquaintance-a young girl of nineteen
named Lucy Spear. She was an or
phan, and Deacon Larrabe was her un
Gle; and she had come to make hom
with him.
She was a sweet, mild-eyed. happy
faced girl, lovely in form and feature
and lovely in her life. She sang like
seraph, her voice rich, pure, correct
and full of pathos and harmony. He
eyes. were of q cerulean blue, and he
hair like rippling gold, and the color G
her skin Ike the rose and lily.
E George fixed his gaze upon her. an
8 felt a throbbing at his heart such as h
had never felt before. During the even
=. ing they had to sing duet together
they were rehearsing for Christmas mu
sic, and this duet was in beautiful
4, Christmas anthem.
q George Barrows had long been &C
counted the best tenor singer in tina
section of the country, but never befor
had his voice sounded to such adyar