The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1886-02-27
Select STORY.
TWO KISSES

"Madam will you give me something to
eat ?'
1t was bitter pass for the proud, pam
pered and fattered child of luxury and in
diligence to come to; and the half-sullen,
halfdefant tones in which the words were
uttered were evidence of his inward rebel
lion against the hateful necessity forced
upon him.
"Something to eat ?" repeated the lady,
a kind-looking matron of about thirty five,
who had come to the door on seeing him
approach, and cast quick, comprehensive
glance over his person and attire. "Oh,
yes !" she added. "Come in"
"Who is it, mamma ?" asked little,
eager voice, as pretty child Of six years
came from an inner room.
"Only a poor man, dear, who wants
something to eat" replied the lady.
''There nowl" she continued, placing a
well-flled tray upon the table. "Sit down
and help yourself"
The stranger obeyed.
A few words would have told his story.
The only child of wealthy parents, Ralph
Wentworth had lived to the age of twenty
in ease and luxury. He had graduated
with fair record from college, but with no
marked proclivities for any art or calling
save the very agreeable and congenial one
of enjoying the good things of life. Within
a week after the brilliant festivities that
had celebrated his majority, his father had
fallen dead in the street from paralytic
stroke, leaving his family penniless. In a
week more his mother had sunk to the
grave; and the petted, INDUCED boy was
left to face the world alone, with no re.
sources, save hundred pounds that re-
mained of his fathers birthday gift.
= With the first shock of bereavement
over, friends clustered around him, ready
to advise and eager to assist in the spend
ing of his little patrimony. That once
gone, his friends went also.
Ralph made a few Intellectual efforts to
obtain some employment. But where the
heir of prospective thousands had been met
with smiles and affability, the impecunious
young man now encountered supercilious
looks and incredulous shrugs.
Finally, filled with misanthropic disgust
against these summer friends, he had re.
solved to quit London, and go he cared
not where On the morning after coming
to this decision, while glancing aimlessly
over paper, his eye fell upon an item
describing the marvellous discovery of gold
in California.
In an instant his resolve was formed
he would 90 there. If he must begin at
the bottom of the social ladder and earn
his bread by manual labor, it should, al
least, be away from the sight and sneer oi
those who had helped to bring him to this
pass. He had strong limbs, and he would
make the journey to Liverpool on foot.
It was on this journey that he made hi
first request for meal, for the last few
pennies of his slender funds had brought
him meagre dinner the day before. And
as he now sat eating the bountiful repasi
placed before him by the generous hand Of
stranger, a sudden rush of emotion camt
over him, and forced sigh that was al
most groan from his lips
"What is it makes you feel SO very bad?'
The little earnest voice breaking in upor
his painful reverie aroused him with start
Seated in little rocker, which she wal
gently swaying to and fro, with her hand
folded in her lap, and her sweet, wistfu
eyes fixed with a searching yet sylnpa
thetic gaze upon him, was the child whose
presence he had entirely forgotten. He