The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1885-01-22
CHAPTER IL
A FRIEND IN NEED Is FRIEND INDEED

| OhAfIEh IL
AFRIENp IN NEED Is A FRIEND INDEED.
Raise him gently. he Is slcepingl
1 Care nor sorrow lash him now,
| Pulls less now tho breast rom gricving;
Peace reigns DER the aged brow.
~Drive steady, jim; the old man has
tainted, guess The thought of the
poor house has been too much for him.
@Let tho old fiddle stay under his
head till we get there; we can lift him
out and carry him In easy enough; he
is only skin and bone, you know. Get
up there, Charlie" saying which, the
rough but kind-hearted driver turned
his head from his companion, and main
tanned q rigid silence during tho re-
mainder OF the drive.
| Gretchen sat like a beautiful autom-
atom throughout the journey. except
when once she stopped to draw more
closely the muller around the neck of
her unconscious father, who had sunk
from the effects of grief into the bottom
of the sleigh, his head unconsciously
pillowed upon the muchloved instru-
ment.
"Here we arel" called out the voice
of the driver, as he drew rein before O
dilapidated gate leading to long, low
roored, rambling old building, known
for leagues around as the Insane Asy-
lum and County Alms-house combined.
Gretchen arose in the seat with face
of marble Wilderness and firmly set lips,
aim and self-possessed.
Please be careful when you raise
him." she said. designating the form in
the bottom OF the sleigh.
| ayes, Miss We will try to be as
gentle as woman could be with him.
But I'm afraid it will go hard with him
when he comes to-" said the driver,
feelingly.
They were about to raise the inani-
mate form to convey isto the house.
but few steps away, when prancing
span of black horses, keeping time with
their feet to the music of the bells en-
| circlipg them, dashed around bend in
| the road, and reined up with such force
| ms to throw the team back upon their
| launches.
From fur-lined and gayly cushioned
nest sprang the form of o man well
wrapped up in huge buffalo coat, and
bidding one of the men hold the champ
ing, FESTIVE steeds, he advanced hastily
to the side of Gretchen, and said III q
commanding voice:
Miss Munson, as quickly as possible
step out of that damp snow into your
cutter, and wrap yourself up we'll in
the robes which you will see there.
Never fear, we will attend to your
father" he said, as he caught the anx-
ious look in the speaking eyes, as they
we're bent upon the silent figure now
resting in the hands of the two men.
Gretchen silently obeyed, wondering
greatly the while; nor was her amaze
ment lessened when after the drive
of couple OF hours, in which
time they seemed to fly over
the snow, her companion drew up
before coy white cottage just
on she outskirts of n thriving little
town, and, throwing the lines to SER
want in waiting, assisted Gretchen to
alight.
They entered spacious hall, whose
odor OF warmth assailed Gretchen's
benumbed senses gratefully, and after
she had assurance that her father was
made comfortable for the night, she
gave herself up to the astonishing and
bllssful changes which had taken place
in theic circumstances inside of few
hours.
"For the present / am content with
out explanation" she thought, with a
beaming smile. as this not like tale
of fairyland, and have we not been
touched by q fairy wand, wonder?
Oh, can it be all beautiful dream, and
shall by moving come back TO cruel
reality, and the degrading thoughts of
passing my days with my father in an
alms-house? God Forbid she ex-
claimed, raising her hand to her eyes
to shut out the hideous picture.
Her revere was cut short by the en-
trance of their strange preserver, whom
she arose involuntarily to meet.
Remain seated, beg of you: and do
not think yourself indebted to me any
more than is really possible. 1t was
merely an act of natural humanity. L
have a plenty, more than / shall ever
need, assure you, Miss Munson, and
/ should be less han human to refuse
helping hand when your father and
yourself were so kind to me, when You
both thought me destitute. How is
your idtntN'
Il have not been to see him, but they
told me that he was very comfortable"
she said. n frightened look leaping into
her blue orbs.
do not be alarmed / can place
utter confidence In my housekeeper's
word. We Will allow him TO rest to-
night undisturbed, for have surprise
for him in the morning"
at is nothing short of surprise every
where to me tonight, Monsieur"
Gretchen exclaimed, as she arose to
partake of the dainty repast which q
servant had .u-t brought in for her.
"How exceeding kind of you," she
said, gratefully.
Il beg you do not speak of it It is
in itself but q trhe. And / assuse you,
Miss Munson, enjoy my wealth much
more when share it with n fellow
coun;ryman, than / should to live tho
life of hermit, and die a miserable
miseL-'
CHAPTER Ill
THE SURPRISE.
- l.