The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1886-12-11
THE BLUE SATIN DOLL.
THE sEYRNTY-FIVE DOLLAR
PRIZE CHRISTMAS STORY,
by JULIAN MAGEus.
Copyrighted, lsSG, by S. s. McCIure,l
fnoniiu,sd Fron Ys,Js,d,vN

as busireas man was not thing gonl
beyond recovery. But my worst trouble
was to come, Ny wife was attentive, bu
| missed something Of tenderness that
could scarcely account for. At last bit
ter awakening came. One day cav hel
reflected in mirror when she did mol
know I could observe her, She was look
ing at me, and on her face was TN EXPIRES
sion Of repulsion, In one moment, l fell
the bitter, burning truth Her love
had not been strong enough tc
stand the strain Of my illness, the
loss Of my worldly prospects, the change
from my old appearance to my present
deiormity. l turned my face 10 the wall
and prayed for death. All the physical
tornents l had gone through were Rs
nothing to tho mental anguish compressed
into those few minutes. Then, at last
came consolation n the thought Of my
child ;only to be succeeded by g still more
narrowing anxiety. Would she, too,
turn from meY knew the quick sus.
ctp.tbility, the hRsty impressions Of child.
hood, and ] dreaded what might be the
effect on her young mind Of my distorted
form. With what esgerness, yet with
what fear waited for her next visit.
longed for the moment to come, ard still
was tempted 10 defor 1t. You, sir, can
perhaps enter a little into my feelings.
At last, abe came, and when | saw rure,
unchanged love in the depths Of her clear,
bright eyes and heard her whisper, Poor
papa, lee go sorry, Goa love you 60
much ] thanked God that ! had some.
thing still left to live tor."
when get sufficiently well to use my
crutChes easily, went over 10 the house.
They were very kind; Of course was no
real good to them, but they made place
for me 10 help on account Of stock.
could write better then than now; my
Joints have stihened up sinCe. The pay
was very small compared with what l had
been receiving, and 1t was necessary for
me TO end cheaper home md practice
striCt economy, My wiies father made
hOr small allowance, but he opposed the
marriage, and was not inclined to be
liberal, now that It had turned out as
badly as he had prophesied sho grew
restless and disconnected under our
changed circumstances, and l cannot
wonder at II,
80 far my mlsIortunes had been be.
You'd my control, but there came a time
when my own miserable weakness IN.
creased them. The pains l occasionally
suffered drove mo to seek relief in stimu.
lsnts. Ny head had grown weak and q
very little liquor affected me. Irc6elved
gentle warning from the office, and |
promised reformation. But there came
moments when my agony grew too great
for my resolve. One night when l re-
turned home, found my wife had gone,
taking Jane with her. A letter was left
informing me she had returned to her
fathers house, that my dissipation render.
ed her life uncomfortable, and that abe was
about 10 obtain q separation on that
ground.
"That blow was Crushing. Iwas weak,
III, heartbroken, and had 70 force 10 re.
sist. And even II ! had tried, what could
| have done2 was too poor 10 hire able
lawyers, and she had wealth and inAu.
enco at her command. But to lose the
tight, the power to see my child, to feel
her tiny, warm arms around my neck, to
hear her sweet, llsping words, was awful.
Then came The thought that Il was best
for her, after all. Away from mo she
would have every comfort and enjoy.
ment. How little l could give her, and
at any moment that little might be swept
away. So l let all 60, and made no effort
to stay my wite's courFe.
"Thsy did not keep mo long At the
house after my wife left me. ! suppose Il
was her fathers doing. They gave me Q
small sum, and eald they regretted It was
no longer possible 10 find employment fol
me.
'That was more than two years ago
How have managed to 1.-Two since, you
know. But they have not parted me en-
tirely from my child. ! have seen Jane
many times since, and thank God, she
does not forget me. She does not shrink
from me, she still loves me
"Her nurse once lived with me, and Il
grateful for some tiillng kindness. She
contrjyes that l shall SEQ Jane OF intervals
for q few moments only, and We have t
be very careful, for 1t was known Hht
would be discharged. The lost time
saw Jane, / asked her what pho wanted
for Christmas, and she gpid doll ShI
always says my presents are the prettles
she gets. / ain 10 see her tomorrow, aud
then ihe will tell me how she likes TIT
doll. Ittook me nearly six months to saw
the money, and ] have often gone hupgrl
and cold 10 add To II a BIT, but you sec, biF
| got her the beat doll they had, after all.
lie stepped with a look a almoOt tri
umph on bls face. kvldentiy he expect
cd mo 10 cay something, but for mo
msnt OF two ! was powerless TO do 90
Ordinary ex pl ps6tons pl sympathy sselnel
40 week and out Of place. At last muI
mered something which ] hopo was NOR
Ineligible TO hin than II was 10 me, en-
sought relief BY pluDgiDg into q bu5lnes
proposition
"Would II bs possible for you," I asked
ITO carry On solae little buUlnBss==sA
newspapers and stationery with pogslbl
cigars and tobacco, or something Of tbs
kfnl7' wasn't very sure what comb
nations small stoEekeOpsrs make, 90
ended rather weakly
~ have often Thought Of that, eli, b.
where could yet the CapilSl2 YOU hRv
seen how little can save In bali year.
"Cone 10 my office tho day after t
| | can promise 10 and Vhst 10 headed. an an
% you want, I know, 10 be ind0penden
ron eau regard The advance a. q loan
be repaid IL your ponvepIenpa,"
MYou arc more than good and Kind, NJ
Roberts. l will Welcome, oh how eagell!
anything that will take me out Of IL
Streets"
IThon lot 30 10 now. | will &c. pc
and Ink al the corner, and pu! the uddrel
on your parcel"
me another favor You AFe perhaps golf
10 make a man Of me again. Meet u
10 morrow and sec my child. wllh 20
10 Gee the ona thing that has kept II