The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1886-04-03
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MAY AND SEPTEMBER.

One was man whose smooth brow and
unfaded locks told nothing of age, but
whose limbs were completely paralyzed.
The second was lady who might have
once possessed great beauty, but on whom
consumption was making hasty and un-
mistakable ravages. The the third was
Girl of eighteen OF nineteen, whose likeness
to each as well as her evident devotion to
their wants, proclaimed her their daughter.
Kate Ashcroft was not beautiful in the
common acception of the word. She had
fine expressive eyes and sweet mouth;
but even these did not entitle her to be
called beauty. The highest charm of her
face was sweet and lovely expression,
speaking of inward peace and gentle, kindly
thoughts.
Mr.. Ashcroft had long been a miserable
invalid. When still in the prime Of life
paralysis had done its work upon his frame,
bringing all the appearance of old age to
his noble figure while his face was still
Youthful. Mrs Ashcroft had watched be-
side him. faithfully, until consumption had
touched her with its chilling fingers and
laid her upon bed of pain and distress.
Thus it fell to the daughter to nurse both
invalids; and she did it with devotion
that made the task light. She was the
light of their eyes--the only being whom
they could not cheerfully give up, in the
prospect of death.
What would she do when they were
gone. was question that weighed upon
their minds most heavily, They had no
relatives near enough to take an interest in
the child; and the few friends they pos
sessed were in foreign lands. Judge, then,
how desolate was the path that seemed to
lie before the daughter they loved so well.
It added. too, to their anxiety that they
must leave her penniless. Sickness had
melted away their resources, until the little
that was left would hardly, Mr.. Ashcroft
thought, pay the expenses of the double
funeral which must inevitably follow their
long and lingering illness.
"Do not grieve SO, dearest father" Kate
had been saying; 81 shall surely be pro-
vided for | can work as well as many
others. The little l shall want | can earn. T"
Her father gazed at her with fearful
ewes. "Poor child" he exclaimed, show
little you know of the world. How will
you bear up against the terrible burden of
poverty? Will those little hands be strong
enough to earn your daily bread? You
who have never been trained to work, who
have never borne the weight of crushing
sorrow. 0 merciful father bring her into
thy fold, and make her thine especial carel'
Tears hot and bitter impeded his utter
ance. 1t was long ere Kate could soothe
him into anything like composure. Mute
and still was the mothers grief, yet as deep
as that of her husband All the terrors of
desolate, lonely life for Kate uprose be-
fore her; yet she conquered all traces of
emotion. 1t was but the prelude of great
suffering, for that night saw her in the
shadow of the dark valley. The breaking
of blood vessel was the consequence of
her suppressed emotion, and before morning
the weary spirit was released from the suf-
fering body.
sThere sat the shadow feared of man.
More rapidly than ever Mr.. Ashcroft
was failing. The death of his wife was his
own death-blow From the moment of
wrapped in silent grief. 1t was pitiful
indeed to see poor Kate She went from
room to room to look upon her mothers
lifeless remains, and then went back again
to try to speak comfort to the mute sufferer.
Scarce day interviewed before he, too, was
summoned away.
"Oh, for one word-one look of recogni-
ton !" sighed the poor girl who hung over
him. Alas, it was not granted her
Slowly the pulse ceased beating and then
stopped forever Kate was indeed doubly
an orphan.
Kind neighbors tried to bring comfort to
the bereaved girl; but she could not bear
the words She shrank from them as if
touched to the very quick; and her we'll
meaning comforters at length left her to
herself. When all was over Kate was told
that she must leave the house. Itwas wanted
for richer tenant. She had not single dol
ar. Her furniture was taken away and sold
to paw the rent. All the little ornaments OF
the rooms, so dear to her because they were
the gifts of her parents on successive birth
days, went with therest, and on the third day
from the funeral of both her parents, Kate
walked out of the gate and entered small
cottage poor, mean and old, the only shell
ter she could afford to rest in.
The next week saw her out in pursuit Of
employment-som = anything that
would bring her food enough to support
life and strength. No foolish pride in
Kate's heart held her back from the search
after the means of living. Teaching, that
resource of almost every girl left to herself
was not included in her catalogue of labor
Kate was intelligent and well-taught; but
of the regular routine of learning she was
ignorant. Of useful information she had
fund. 1t was impaired to her from
childhood by her father and mother; but
neither of her parents were willing'to spare
her from home, and therefore her schoo
knowledge was not extensive. She hac
! learned bookkeeping, however, of hel
father, who was once a successful merchant
before the hand of disease had touched
alike his person and his fortune. And hei
first thought was that she might obtain some
situation in which she could make this
, knowledge of use to her for bread.
She entered several stores, modestly of
fering her services as book keeper or cashier
but all those situations were already filed
Next the milliners shops were tried-ther
the dressmakers' rooms-shops and room
which, in better days her mother hat
most generously patronized, but which nov
seemed to have no room for Kate. He
last effort was at depot for ready-mad
: linen. The shopman knew her and allowed
her to carry off some work without tn
usual deposit of its worth in money. Sh
was glad Of even this scanty means, AM
half an hour after she left the shop sh
was seated in the one habitable room Of he
+, little cottage sewing diligently upon a gar
! ment, the first of her half dozen.
Kate was rapid and skillful seamstress