The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1883-11-23

This was after most affectionate
greeting, for Jeddy was her favorite
niece.
81 couldn't leave father" was the re-
Spouse.
"But can't see you killing yourself by
inches. What does he care2 One per-
son is as good as another to one who has
lost all his finer sensibilities, as he has "
ooh, no; at times father is his old self
-even-evcn at the worst" she faltered,
che don't forget that he is gentleman.
He never was unkind to me-"
''Fiddlesticks1 Your ideas of duty
are exaggerated. Come, now-dont
dasappoint me-take little rest. l have
come all the way from Lon purpose
to carry you back, and the last words
your cousin Kitty said, as l left her
were:
"Mother, don't fail to bring Jeddy
back, want to see her"
Tears came to Jeddy's brown eyes, as
she reiterated:
81 cannot leave father"
'And here you are, losing all your
beauty-all your advantages, and even
your health can see it For your
fathers sake, you ought to go. 1t would
make new creature of you to see old
sights, and old faces, and to live while
like Christian. Why, child, the walls
are damp; how do you live"
at isn't living, aunt, it's only stay
ing" said Jeddy, trying bravely to
smile; "but that l can't help, while
father lives. There's nobody in all
this wide world to care for him but me-
| know | might live in ease and comfort
if l went with YOU and oh, sometimes
my heart does long so for little of the
old-time Joy! 1t would be like looking
into Paradise-but I can't leave father. ="
There sounded a heavy sigh. Both
women turned round to see the old,
gaunt man in the doorway, the tears
streaming down his cheeks as he held
forth his trembling hands as if in bene-
diction.
$50, Jeddy, go, angel---don't stay for
mc--l'm not worth your care" he said,
pitifully.
But Jeddy thought otherwise. Long
after the splendid carriage had gone, she
sat there holding the gray head against
her shoulder, soothing and petting him
and lending Il willing ear to his promises
of amendment.
The second carriage brought stylish
young gentleman with whom her friends
had often coupled her name. He came
with an offer of marriage, but Jeddy
gave him the same soft but determined
answer, II couldn't leave father" and
he, too, went away, disconsolate.
The third carriage contained one who
had always been a friend, also young
gentleman, who had lately returned from
foreign tour.
lie asked no questions and expressed
no surprise, though the change he saw
affected him painfully. But, like a true
friend, he resolved to aid both father
and daughter.
TO this purpose he followed the for
mer, and quietly tried to hinder him
from the abuse of his appetite, and
gradually gained his confidence.
Then he told how sadly the change in
his daughter had troubled him.
"Change,n exclaimed old Joe, chow
is she changcd?"
''Is it possible you do not see that she
is at deaths door,
"What do you mcan3 AT deaths door
my child-my angelo You will kill
w lIdt HdNt DuI Hcl
"You have God, and He will help you
to redeem yourself. If you do that, your
daughter will live, if you do not, she
will die"
That night old Joe went home full of
doubts and fears. He watched his child,
sick at heart from the news he heard.
II can make her live-and l Wilt" he
said, resolutely, to himself. II am not
an old man yet lifting his bowed head
with Gods help will be new one !"
He went to the curb outside and broke
his pocketflask in hundred pieces. The
next day he came home sober ike next,
he had found place-a small one, it was
true, but in the old bank where he had
once reigned master Everybody saw the
change. Old Joe had new clothes, he
was respectable to outward seeming.
Once more he became man among men.
His knowledge of the business, his integ-
rity, gained him better position. Day
by day he took steps upward-day by
day the color and brightness came into
his daughters face and her step grew
light and her tones joyful.
1t seems like miracle, but is not, that
old Joe rides in his own carriage again.
lie Is Mr.. Pollard again, cashier OF the
bank, and power among his fellows. 1t
was just trusting in God and God helping
him as he helped himself But the best
of all is, his glorious daughter by sacrific-
ing herself, by her noble fortitude, by heI
patient care, has won a place in his heart,
and in the hearts of all who know her,
prouder and more enduring than the
throne of a queen.-Mrs. DeaiSOn, in
Youth's CompaniOn