The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1885-10-13

cloEs, sped 10 the kitchen anu Gio .,S5t
kfoa Hheti her falher-in law put on bis
overcoat and hat ald went down to the
village.
He came back with come great project
in every line OF bis rugged suu-brown
face.
Tea was success; the toast Mas deli.
cately Drowned and the ham done to 8
turn When the meal was over the old
man said:
Elsie do you remember the cross you
told me your father gave you for birth.
day gilt ?"
"My diamond cross r.
"inu Would not like to part with it
Perhaps it is your only retaihdgr Of your
father ?"
M; have many other of his gifts
nothing 80 valuable as that. The gen.
tleman who took charge of nv fathers
affairs told me could keep all bis gifts
to me
"You-vou-would not like to give
me the cross to sell. Essie2 Our ttioney
is getting very short"
A kiss, tender and quick, stopped tht
words that CAME so bssitatingly.
"You are gladly welcome 10 it, father
I wonder l did not think Of it before"
81 the dainty baub!e lay In the far
mer's horny palm. and while Essie clear
ed the tea.tsble john Ttow5ridgs ven
once more to the village.
DR.. r ,ynolds, The only physician there
Harry's last friend for years, was in hi.
office when the farmer entered.
There it isl said the visitor triuth
phanlly "You are sure it is worth The
money ?"
Perfectly sure. Aud Mrs Trowbridgs
wishes me TO invest the sum l obtain il
piano p
"Bless you. no! thal's nv part Of II
You see, the poor little sonl tiles to dc
her best, but she amt fit for her hart
life. II there was any other home fol
her I'd send her away; though I'd rather
miss the sunlighh She's as dainty as 6
butterfly and yet she has no 6bs lsdy
wavs either; but she bankers Tor piano
and she shall have one, Ernest" and The
old mans eyes filed. "Her own father
gate her that gimcrack audI'ye seen bel
Hiss it often, bat when l aske.t her tc
give it to me, because needed money
she put it into my hand with kiss and
told me l was gladly welcome. She's 6
good girl II she aiil't ft1uch OF a hand al
work"
'"She is not very strong," and Ernes
Reynolds stiG4d sigh as he spoke ther
with quick change of voice be added
IL AN going TO the city TO morrow.
will sell the cross and buy the piano."
But when the farmer was gone Ernest
Reynolds took strange liberties with The
Jewel he held in charge He slipped 6
ribbon through its ring and hung it over
his own heart. More than once he touch.
ed bis llps to the hard, glttering stones
Whispering:
'.Essie! little E,sis!"
The next day be had 1t valued by {
jeweler and bought piano with the sum
named; but the cross rested still upor
his heart as the bill Of the sweelstoned
instrument was paid.
1t would be vain task to describe Es
sizes pleasure when the piano was brough
to the sitting g-rootn. She cried and smil
ed at the same time, and her sarnes
thanks brought moisture to the old far.
.mer's eyes.
He knew nothing Of the wonderful
power prisoned in the slender fingers
SCARED with Tough work. He had ne
true appreciation of the genius of tha
tender Young soul. But he did not know
that Z sic could sway bin ss she willet
by the sound she drew from the won
derous. KEYS; could bring tears to b.
eyes or smiles to his lips; could lift hin
TO adoralion bv her stirring hvmns, o.
carry his heart 10 the foot of the cros
by the pleading power Of her voice il
prayerful song.
She knew soon and we'll that her de
sire was no pain to the kind old man
but that, while II was rest and Joy 10 her
it was q comfort to him.
But the pressure OF poverty was com.
ing closer and closer upon the farm
Acre after acre was sold to meet actua
daily ueeds,and the wolf drew very close
to the door of John Tro owbridge's house
With stern pride he hid his wants iron
his neighhors, but Essie knew Of priva
tions and self.denials that wrung her owr
tender heart.
L ke a burst OF snnshinc there came ,to
her two offers One to be orgsnist a
the village church, one to take class o.
music scholars in the seminarv,6 five miles
from the village. Twice a week the car.
riage would he sent for her, and the sala
ries were more than double the income
from the farm. Neither John Trow.
bridge nor Essie knew that Dr. Reynolds
by qaiet, unsuspected inflence. had
brought about this happy result. No one
knew that be bad driven the principal o
the seminary over on an evening when
E,sie was pouring out her whole soul in
music and held him spell-bound for two
hours on the farmhouse porch.
But they did not know that strong.
armed llish girl could be paid TO do the
work of the house out of e sizes income,
and that Trustworthy man was found
TO take the farm work on shares.
John Trowbridge began 10 rea!iz that
there were women Of some value in the
world who possessed but small snare
of bone and muscle for actual hard work
For scholars came all tue way from L.,
the market town seven miles away,to the
farm house. Concerts we're given fol-
charitable purposes, and Essie was en-.
gagged at goodly sums to play. Strangers
came to the village church TO hear the
wonderous voice and playing of the
young organist.
/ And while the comforts of the farm
we're multiplied By ESTES generous ex
penditure; while the rooms gradually
lost their bare dismal look. by additions
of furniture and ornaments, while a w
e,s blossomed on barren spaces and lh,