The Osceola times., 1884-02-23

| But her constant duties wore heavily .
upon her. She grew thin and pale, then .
feverish and hectic but still she worked .
/ on.
Three times a handsome carriage and /
| pair were seen before the door Of her l
plain little home.
The frst time a rich aunt calne to |
remonstate with her and offer her a
home. She found her preparing the poor
meal over che tiny cook stove.
"Jeddy, you are the best girl in the
world; but you must go back with me, if
only for q while and leave that man to
take care Of himself
This was after most aifecti)naic
greeting, for teddy was her f4vorite
niece
81 couldn't leave father" was the re-
sponse.
"But can't see you killing yourself by
inches. What does ne care? One person
is as good as another 10 one who has
lost all the finer sensibiities, as he has"
"Oh, no at times father is his old
self-even-even at the worst she
faltered. ale don't forget that he was a
gentleman. He never was unkind to
me-"
Fiddle ticks. Your ideas Of duty are
exaggerated. Come, now-dont pisap-
point me-take little rest. have come
all the way from l. on purpose to
carry you back, and the last words your
Cousin Kitty said, as left her, were:
Mother, don't fail to bring Jeddy
back want 10 see her.
Tears came to Jeddy's brown eyes, but
she reiterated;
II cannot leave father"
And here you are, losing all your
Leauty--au your advantages, and even
your health-l can see it For your
fathers sake, you ought to 20. II would
make new creature of you to see the
old sights and old faces, and 10 live a
while like a Christian WHY. child. the
walls are damp how do you live ?'
1T isn't living, aunt, it's only staying
said Jeddy, trying bravely to smile, but
that | can't help while father lives.
There's nobody in all this vide world to
care fer me but kiw. | know / might
live in ease and comfort if | 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.
GO, Jeddy, 20 angel don't stay for
me-I'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 AMI pettlng him
and lending willing ear to bis promises
Of amendment
The second carriage brought a 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 ans
wer: Il couldn't leave father and he,
too, went away, disronsolate.
The third carriage contained one who
had always been a friend. also a yeunq
gentleman, who had lately returned
, from foreign tour.
He asked no questions and expressed
no surprise, though the change he saw
affected him painfully. But Ike true
friend he resolved to aid both father and
daughter.
To this purpose he followed the former
and quietly tried TO hinder him from the
abuse Of his appetite, and gradually
gained his confidence.
: Then he told him how sadly the
change in his daughter had troubled him.
Change !" exclaimed old Joe, how Is
she changed
Is it possible you DO not see that .he
; is at deaths door ?"
, What do you mean At deaths door
, my child-my angel? You would kill
me What have ] but her 2'
/, you have God, and He will help you
. TO redeem yourself lfvou do that your
: daughter will live; if You do not, she
will die.
That night old Joe went home full Of
q doubts and fears. He watched his child,
r siCk at heart from the news he heard.
Il can make her liyc-and ! will '' he
said. resolutely, to hinsclf Il am not
al Nlu man Ntl - 4lluIL Il4> FHNtl ltdl
l. with Gods help, viii be new one"
- lie went 10 the curb outside and broke
his poCket-fask in a thousand pieces.
The next day he cane home sober the
next, he found a place-a small one, it
q was true, but in the old bank where he
4 had once reigned master. Everybody
saw the change. I'D Joe had new clothes,
he was respectable 10 outward seeing.
j Once more he was a man among men.
e His knowledge Of the business. his intec-
rity, gained him better position. Day
, by day he took steps upward-day hy
dsy the color and brightness came into
his daughters face, and her STEPS grew
light aud her tones joyful.
I, II seems like a miracle, but Is not, that
old Joe rides in his own carriage again.
He is Mr. Pollard again, cashier Of the
L bank, and power among his fellows 1t
t was Just trusting in God and God helping
: him as he helped himself But the best
Of all il. his glorious daughter, by sacri-
hing herself, by her noble fortituie. by
her patient care, has won place in hls
: heart, and in the hearts Of all who know
. her prouner and more enduring than the
throne Of a queen.
The Volume Had come.
Wal street News