Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-08-22
favor of employment, and bread for his
girl, from the rich man whose child was
CHAPTER III.
THE TWO FATHERS.

ness upon grief.
But presently BARLEY caught sight of
him, and stared at him, but said moth
ing.
Then the poor fellow saw it was no
use waiting for better opportunity. so
he came forward and carried out Boil
toms instructions; he put on tolerably
jaunty air, and said, cheerfully, Il beg
your pardon, sir: can / claim your at
tentiOn for mOment?"
what do you Want?" asked BARLEY.
but like man whose mind was else
where.
"Only employment for my talent. sir.
hear you have vacancy for a man.
ager."
But you don't know, sir. in how
many ways / can be useful to YOU. A
grand and complicated business like
yours needs various requirements in
those who have the honor to serve YOU.
For instance, / saw small engine at
work in your yard; now / am a me-
chanic, and | can double the power of
that engine by merely introducing an
extra band and couple of cogs"
at will do as it is" said BARLEY, Ian
guidly, @and can do without a man.
ager."
IldNS YOU I'LL OpCu1uS lOI d cloIkg Il
can write business letters in French.
German, and Dutch; and keep books by
double entry"
NO vacancy for a clerk" was the
weary reply.
"Well, then, a foreman in the yard.
have studied the economy of industry,
and will undertake to get you the great
est amount Of labor out of the smallest
number of men,"
Il have foreman already" said Bart
ley. turning his back on him peevishlv.
for the first time, and pacing the room,
absorbed in his own disappointment.
Hope was III despair. and put on his
hat to go. But he turned at the window
and said: "Y GU have vans and carts. I
understand horses thoroughly am a
veterinary surgeon, and can drive four
finland. offer myself as carman, or
even hostler."
Il do not want hostler, and I have a
carman."
BARLEY, when he had said this, sat
down like man who had finally dis
posed Of the application.
Hope went to the very door, and lean
ed against it. His jaw dropped. He
looked ten years older: Then, with a
piteOuS attempt at cheerfulneSS, he came
nearer, and said: "Give me some kind
of employment, sir. You will never re-
pent it. I've intelligence, practicability,
knowledge; and in this age of science
knowledge is wealth. Example: [ saw
a swell march out of this place that
owns all the parish / was born in, [
knew him in a moment-COlonel Cliff
ford. Well, that old soldier draws his
rents when he can get them, and never
looks deeper than the roots Of the grass
his cattle crop. But tell you he never
takes walk about his grounds but he
marches upon milliOnS-cOal! sir, cOall
and near the surface. / know the signs.
But am impOtent; only fools possess
the gold that wise men can coin into
miracles. Try me, sir, honor me with
your sympathy. You are father-you
have sweet little girl, | hear" Bart
ley WINGED at that. well, so have I,
and the hole my poverty makes me pig
in is not good for her, sir. She needs
the sea air, the scent of flowers, and,
bless her little heart, she does enjoy
them sol Give them to her, and [ will
give you zeal, energy, brains, and anil
lion of mOnev
Inlo, IU1 vIi6 iiIov 1iIIio Ii INC i i1lvo1-
view, arrested Mr.. Bartley's attention.
Il see you are superior man." said
bC, bUp hclfC liz way w uUi11LC JOu1
services"
"You can give me no hope, sir?" ask.
ed the poor fellow, still lingering.
"None-and | am sorry for it."
This one gracious speech affected poor
Hope so that he could not speak for a
moment. Then he fought for manly
dignity, and said, with lamentable
mixture of sham sprightliness and real
anguish, "Thank you, sir; [ only trust
that you will always find servants as de-
voted to your interest as my gratitude
would have made me. GOOd-morning,
sir" He clapped his hat on with a
sprightly, CHASTITY air, and marched off
resolutely.
But ere he reached the door, Nature
overpowered the fathers heart; away
went Bottoms instructions; away went
fictitious department and feigned cheer
fulness. The poor wretch uttered a cry,
indeed a scream, of anguish, that would
have thrilled ten thousand hearts had
they heard it; he dashed his hat on the
ground, and rushed toward BARLEY,
with both hands out-"FOr Gods sake
don send me dlCdy-n1y cllijd IS starr
ing"
Even BARLEY was moved. your
child" said he, with some little feeling.
This slight encouragement was enough
for father. His love gushed forth.
"a little golden-haired, blue-eyed angel,
who is all the world to me. We have
walked here from Liverpool, where
had just buried her mother. God help
mel God help us both! Many a weary
mile, sir, and never sure of supper or
bed. The birds of the air have nests,
the beasts of the field shelter, the fox
aole, but my beautiful and fragile
r.r1o old civ. iC1
and homeless. Her mother died of con-
sumption, sir, and l live in mortal fear;
for now she is beginning to cough, and
| cannot give her proper nOurishment
Often on this fatal journey have felt
her shiver, and then | have taken off my
coat and wrapped it around her, and
her beautiful eyes have looked up in
mine, and seemed to plead for warmth
and food I'd sell my soul to give her,"
"Poor fellow" said BARLEY: "I sup
pose | ought to pity you. But how can
l? Man-man-your child is alive, and
while there is life there is hope; but
mine is dead-dead!" he almost Shrek
ed.
Dead" said Hope, Mortified.
Dead" cried BARLEY. Gut off at
There-go and Judge for yourself. You
are a father. l can't look upon nv
blasted hopes, and my withered flower
Go and see nay blue-eyes, fair-haired
darling clay, Fastening to the tomb;
and you will trouble me no more with
your imaginary griefs." He flung him
self down with his head on his desk.
Hope, following the direction of his
hand, opened the door Of the house, and
went softly forward. There, laid out in
state, was little figure that, seen in the
dim light, drew a cry of dismay from
Hope. He had left his own girl sleep
ing, and looking like tinted wax. Here
lay little face the very image of hers,