Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-04-09
Gales aud Sketthes.
IN THE MORNING.
Continued from yesterday

Continued from yesterday
ii followed her out and down the street;
did not know why l did not ask myself
stop also, so | passed by them. but acting
upon an impulse, turned and met the
sad gaze of the poor woman. asked
her as we'll as could if she was in trouble
She manifested no surpri Sc but told me in
the liquid tones peculiar to these people
that her babe was lying dangerously i'll,
but that she was forced to leave in order
to earn means of sustenance for the rest.
Let me 90 with you and see it: am
physician said boldly. A glad look
came into her face, and thankfully accept
ing my offer, she hurried on. | will not
harrow up your feelings dear grandfather,
for know they are very tender. by de-
scription of the terrible scene of poverty
and illness found in the place they called
home. | will pass by that and tell you
that became constant visitor there and
that the dear little child recovered under
my care. and that many a little comfort
was added to their lives. and with very lit
tie comfort to them was added little
fresh happiness to my heart, but last
night paid them my last visit, and after
being wept over and blessed dozen times
by all the family, said to the mother
tor had wondered about it many times
you did not seem surprised when spoke
to you that day in the street. | should
have thought you would not have trusted
a stranger and a foreigner The same
look of love and trust came into her face
again, and she answered in low voice:
Il had prayed, o, prayed from nv heart,
from my soul, that the dear God would
send me help, and knew when you spoke.
that you were the help, that you were
from Cod | walked away unsteadily
and with eyes filled, but with heart up
lifted. God had chosen me-honored me
in giving me this mission; had done
his work well. | was indeed His SER
want. was filled with an intense graft
tude to Him and self respect that had
never before felt in such degree And
now declare to you, grandfather. that
Protestant though | was born-if one
can be born anything will never
more protest against the religion of any
one on the face or the earth. Ones re-
ligion is the best part of him, and l will
reverence that best part no matter what
its name. Crecds are but dry husks, if
one omits to love his neighbor as himself.
1t is the essence God wants"
81 Weld to your wishes dear grandfath-
er: | will sail on the tenth | long to be
with you"
The next letter was from New York and
surprised them greatly Thank God |
am in my own loved country again; |
shall be with you soon. and O, | have
such a treasure to bring to you; have
adopted child, a lovely little boy, with
beautiful brown curls and large, gray-blue
eyes; his mother died on the way over,
and promised to find his father here and
place him in his care. hunted up the
father and found him to be coarse.
drunken brute. who was annoyed at being
burdened with the child. The little one
was frightened and clung to me. could
net leave him in that dreadful mans care,
and he needed no persuading to give the
babe to me. The papers are all made
loves me so. The dimpled arms chung
round my neck and the curly head has
slept on my heart ever since the poor
mother died. What good man we will
make of him. grandfather! We can,
know, for he had a good mother, and if
child has good mother he has nine chan
ces out of ten of being good himself
am so happy, so happy; it is glorious
thing to be a father"
God bless the boy" said the old man,
laughing, but still wiping the moisture
from his glasses; ''his heart is as pure as
gold. yea. as fine gold"
at is, it is" exclaimed Fannie. land
cannot bear it." The tears would come.
and she hid her face and sobbed pitifullv.
"Why child. Fannie dear, what is it !?
Cannot bear that our Ned should be as
good as gold?"
"Yes-I know-but he has grown-be-
yond me. He has-he hasn't-he has
never written to me-O, grandfather,
don't tell him-how foolish am"
"No dear child; there, don't cry So"
said the old gentleman. taking her In his
arms and wiping her tears. IL know.
understand. 1t will all come right; trust
me dear; it will all come right"
That night Fannie's pillow was wet
with many tears, but she fought her battle
well and conquered. 1t was likely Ned
had no need of her love now and he should
never know how sorely she pinned for his
She saw them arrive the next day;
saw them arrive from her bedroom win
dow; saw how tenderly he held the little
child. and how they both were taken into
the embrace of the happy grandfather O,
how her heat ached. but she was brave
and proud, and he should never know.
After tea they came over. the baby and
Ned. 81 had to bring him Fannie" said
! he, quite as if they had parted the day
before He will not 90 out of my arms
Then, as if he had not really seen sher at
first, "but how thin you are, Fame; you
have not been good to yourself. Pm
afraid laughingly. Then he fell to talk
ing of the baby again.
Such meeting. She thought her heart
would break. He did not stay long; it
was little Willie's bed time. and he, being
in a strange place. would be frightened
alone he had had such grand time, but
he would come over again and tell her
all about it.
Net one word of love. not one tender
look; why. his old-time intensity of love
and sentimentality was perfect happiness
compared to tbis-but he should never
know. How handsome he looked with