Democratic messenger., 1888-04-07

touch their outst ltched hands. After TINT
grew cynical. rejoicing as the years rolled on
that 'Zekel's homo was o cherries one an
that Annie's prettiness was gone. Ono by
one the Harker girls married, movin' west.
ward with their husban's. The mother went
TO sleep one afternoon an walked In another
world, the mortgage on the homestead was
foreclosed, an brought homo father Har.
ker, givin' him my own fathers vacant place
beside the old hearthstonc.
1.-THE past fifteen years had not used Zckcl
an Annie kindly, an folks said twas pun
islment sent on Annie an him for their
trcachery. The poor creatures had no chance
TO prosper, havin nothin' 70 commence house.
kecpin' with, an good looks doesn't butter
bread or put roof over ones head. Their
home was cabin In swamp; Zekel was
poor manager, an Annie was sickly, an
their children ran wild for lack Of proper
care an attention.
"Onc mornin' after Mr.. Harkcr had been
with me fortnight, no came In tho kitchen
after an hours wccdin' in the garden, sayin':
'Penelopy! I've seen 'Zekel, an he's goin' to
leave the state
~ kept on toastin' bread, unconcerned out
wnrdly, though inwardly burnin' with the
old anger an pain.
"'Hc docsn't know Jest where he's goin',
Int says he must go somewhere. 'Zekels re-
pcntin' bitterly Of his mistake. Annies lost
all the ambition she ever had; she hadn't the
endurin' qualities which makes women q stay
an comfort to their husban's, an Zekel's
found that their wrong doin' hasn't brought
'cin trust In each other. He couldn't 20
without my blcssin' an pardon, which arc
his. cnn't forget that he Is my son, Pen
clopy.'
"'Brcakfast's ready says !, settin' on the
hcc,lin' the pleadin' look In father Harker's
eyes, askin' me to forgive 'Zekel.
'But hardened my heart an carried my
head higher, thankin' the Lord that warn't
such an incapable, whinin' creetcr as Annie.
Father Harker said no moro about 'Zekei, an
wo spent pleasant five years together, an
was loath to give him up, when Harritt Har-
kcr, who had married q real forehan,ed
man, came after him TO take him to her No
brasky home. Then adopted pauper boy,
who proved TO be q real blessin', helpin' an
comfortin' me In every way.
~ lived ON In the old house, few people
sought my company, or paid mo the alton.
ton SO dear TO tho heart OF most wimmcn.
In lookin' back can see that folks let me
alone because was so stern and unmovablc
My one desire was revenge an 10 humble
Z,kcl TO the very dust, though often my ia
thcrs words would run In my head, catsin'
mc TO trcmble lest ! shut myself out Of
heaven. III ye forgive not, how can We ex-
pcct to be forgivcnr Folks called mo
Christian because gave TO every good cause
so literally an never missed goin 10 mectin',
but knew that my heart wasn't right, nm
dared not pray the Lords Prayer any further
than the words, forgive us our debts rs wc
forgive our Debtors lest bring upon my
own head curse instid OF q blessn'
John, my adopted son, grew up, married
an left Piibury. Again ! was alone, an
made up my mind Id alters live so, arguin'
with neighbor there was no use tryin' 10
keep any one with me, an the partin' with
EN- alters saddencd mo, an the next fivc
years had no company 'cept Bose an tho
cat. toilin' early an late, layin' up stores Of
fruit, grain an goods that didn't need, an
tilkin summer boartiers Jest fer company,
when one October morning found me not
able to leave my bel; completely worn out,
an no one TO hand me drink of wnter,
though the neighbors were kind, after they
found ont my ncesl
"Durin' my seventh week Of suiferin' was
lyin' helpless an cryin'; tho future seemed 50
dark Ia me, when somebody raped at my
door.
"'Come in says I, thinkin' twas Mis-
whipplc with cup Of soup, an Zck-l, gray
an pale, an dressed like tramp. came in.
"Straght up To my bedside he walked, hold.
in out his thin, trcmblin' hand, sayin' In a
tirnid way:
"'Penelopy!
"Jcst then the stranscst fcelin' came over
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mists are cleared away, an we shall know as
we arc known
81 don't think the world holds any happier
couple than 'Zckel an me. I've taken him for