The Opelousas courier., 1884-03-01
REUNITED.
"Oh, papa, I'm SO tired!"

top"
'Is.mamma up there?" asked tht
child; then with a wistful glance al
her father: "Do you think she will
be glad to see us. papa?"
"Glad to see you, I hope, bus-oh
Ailsie, you must ask her to forgive
me-.
There was a slight CULVER in the
mans voice, and the child, although
not comprehending the cause of it,
laid her small hand on his coat-sleeve
with a sympathetic touch. They
walked ON for some time without
speaking, then she broke the silence,
saying:
4Papa, why is mamma angry at
you? | will not love her if she is Got
good to you, for I love you dearly
dearly"
Il ct us sit here awhile, Ailsie, and
will endeaFor to make you under
stand all about it"
She obeyed, glad of an opportunity
to rest her tired limbs. Crossing her
hands on her lap she looked up into
his face trustfuIly.
@Youssee, he began, "your mother
wasn't like me; / mean long ago when
I first met her. She was a lady, and l
was 8 groom, or servant, on her faith
yers place. She used to ride out every
day, and Irode after her to- see that
no harm came to her. After awhile
we grew TO be friends; then lovers.
She was only achit of a girl, and when
Iasked her to run away with me she
consented. One night she stole out of
her fathers house, and came to the
oak grove where I was waiting for
her. 7 had secured d feet-footed
'hcrse, and when morning dawned we
were miles away. We took passage
on 9 steamer bound for america, and
were married the day after our arri-
val For awhile she appeared happy
enough, although, of course, we were
very poor; but was young and hope
full, and loved my child-wife. Gradu-
aAy she began to pine for her old
home. She was unused to poverty,
and didn't know how to bear the ups
and downs Of life as a poor girl would
have done.
4She frequently upbraided me for
the misfortune / had brought upon
her and in time began to hate me. /
did the best ] could for her and looked
forward to your birth, thinking she
would be- more content when she held
hef baby Iii her arms; but I was mis-
taken. nothing could reconcile her to d
life of poverty with me.
when you were a few months old
! discovered she was receiving letters
from her father. Every day helped to
widen the breach between us. Although
HE treated III with cold contempt, i
aid not blame hermuch, for L knew
Id well how i had ruined her life, and
ler uniappiness increased mine ten
fold.
at that time I was employed on the
locks. One morning while at work a
Iady, closely yelled, accompanied by a
gentleman and nurse with a child in
1er arms, passed me. Something about
aer ligare attracted my attention, and
! turned tolook after them, Icaught
! glimpse Of the babyss face. / stood
4 moment unable to move or
peak. Meanwhile they boarded a
steamer that would sail for Liverpool
4 q few hours. When I recovered
rom my surprise I went as rapidly as
'ossible 10 the home that had never
,een y happy one, and learned that my
gife and child had gone away in d
|aEIiage an hour 81 two before. Burn
ng with rage andexcitement I hur
red back to the vessel. Your mother
vas on deck talking earnestly to her
companion, and the nurse was saying
|ood-ly I'd some friends who had come
b sea her of + walked boldly do to
Hi and inquired THE number III her
~tatayootn. saying that her mistress
sent me Tor her shawl. The girl
enllea that she would go and get it,
'ut { said pleasantly, Talk to your
while you have time. Only
GO glad s an opportunity to have d
aSt word With those She was leaving
'ehind, slie told mo the number, at the
anne tina charging me Ia be careful
~ not ken tha baby. Trembling
sih exc ment 7 hurried to the state
CON, wrapped you ID the shawl, ana
walked q The steamer. Have / made
be story 9 any early life clear Il you.
para, { understand il peffee
szsa i sorry fos you. poor. poas
fsAf papa Then with Ii WistfaA