The Delaware ledger., 1883-08-11
An Awakened Love.

Abiel Grimes was an old bachelor.
Some people called him an old cur.
mudgeon, and some people called him
an old hunks, and these titles were
really more truthful than flattering.
The fact is, as the world goes-and
the world goes hard enough with some
-Abiel Grimes was pretty hard man
hard and cold, selfish to the core,
cruel when his interests were at stake
apparently had no more feeling than a
lamppost, no more charity than to-
bacco sign; seemed ever grasping fol
everything, never yielding up anything
living only for Abiel Grimes, and car
ing for nothing beyond himself.
When he was twenty Abiel Grimes
went to see young lady--a very sweet
young lady, everybody called her-and
it was at last rumored that they were
going to be married.
But one day, being caught ont in the
rain, she allowed another young man
to hold an umbrella over her while she
walked home by his side.
Abiel Grimes ehaneed to witness the
transaction, and BECAME furious
storming, raving and tearing passions
to tatters.
He did more, He left Mary Albright
with a curse, and never visited hel
again.
She wept and sobbed, and was very
disconsolate for time, and then she
married the kiAd young man who had
held the umbrella over her,
From that time forward nobody eYel
heard Abiel Grimes laugh.
In fact, it is doubtful if he could
laugh.
He drew into himself like turtle
into his hell, and to the world he
presented exterior as hard as that
-'n ~ BILE energies to making
NJ and lands which he
j, eaa w rha 10 the poor
i tina Nay.
hA p ,oo. unity fore
Close =
IL, seemed ..a/ (, and nove
she we'd mercy.
Into the street went sick father o.
mother or starving children if he faileC
10 gel his lawful due.
He was no hypocrite, however h
was consistent with himself.
He gave nothing to churches, be
cause, AS lie Wered, religion was
sham.
He gave nothing to hospitals, be
cause people had 40 business TO b
sick.
He gave nothing to charitable SO
cieties, because the poor ought to worl
for their bread
In short, he gave nothing TO anybody
except Abiel Grimes.
And Abiel Grimes he pampered
There was nothing too good for Able
Grimes.
lie bought splendid mansion, SUI
rounded himself with luXuries, and KEEP
servants who were no better than 5
many slaves in his regard.
His sister kept house for him, being
poor, quiet, timid, childish widow, wit
no other home, nor any means to liv
without labor,
OF all days in the year, Abiel Crime
hated Sundays and holidays.
Why?
Because he could not vex people in hi
business transactions on those days, an
because poor people were idle, and seen
ingly happy, and he hated to see peopl
happy.
If he could have shut them all up /
black pits and kept them to work ther
all their lives for his gain and comfor
he would have done so.
And of all the holidays, Abiel Crime
hated Christmas, and its rejoicing an
festivities.
And in this state of mind, withou
ever having a days illness-going @
prosperously in worldly gain and damas
ing riches-Abiel Crimes reached I'll
age of fOrty-iive, hale and hearty, wit
sharp face, iron frame, cold grey eye
thin hair and bald head.
Now it so happened that one hate
Christmas night Abiel Grimes Ieturnt
: to his elegant mansion at the hour
eleven.
1t was showing fast and the stree
were mostly deserted.
n The mansion looked grim, and dar
k and cold, for there had been no rejoiciI
g there that day, and the servants had
gone to bed.