The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1889-09-06
FATHER AND son.
AYTaIe of Pride and Love in Real
Life.

zone Esght last winter. while pur-
SUI ng rrY WAY along one eOf the most
90 sc1sre streets in Boston. / was
ar oused ErOm me reverie in which i
Was iEeGlging by hearing light foot
81 cps close tony side. Iurning quick
~ S@hsld = young gar, apparently
n'ot 1Ore thar twelve years old. fol-
lowing as II she was anxious to speak
to me. and y-zen L observed. by the
dim iigb1-Ofs- sighbOriUE street lamp.
that she Wa poorly clad, trembling.
thin and paAs- 1 asked he. in. a tone OF
kindness, whE- she wanted.
If you please she replied, in a
tone thEt ivSs almost -choked with
sobs, vet stTIte}c me as peculiarly soft
and silve--toEed, ii ynG please. sir,
VIII You go beck with me Just a little
way and sss my father, who is very
sick?"
What is the m atte- with your
father?" I asked, fe; rrftsE of being de-
ceived.
''Oh. sir j don't kasrv.'' she an
swered, in the sam tea es as before.
but l fear he Is going toSie-"
The earnest manner Of rho broken
hearted girlsmade M, ash, med Of hav-
ing doubted her at first. and 1 re-
solved to comply wit h he, request l
was in just the mood for sGme advent
ure where there wa . an cpportun :
of accomplishing an objec1 OF benevo-
lence, aid willingly followed my
timid, sorrowfa little. guide back to
her home
The gil leo no into a small and
somewhat dilspi1ated house, and in
vited me 10 ascend a small a. d narrow
staircase At the head of th-s stairs /
heard hes gropiIg about Entn her
hand touched the latch OF door,
which sheaepenGd. asking me. in low
voice. TO follow her into the room
l did So and found myself in an
humble apG-t m ent, where serupulous
neatness seemed struggling against
absolute want- The dim light Of a
siickering lamp pwhieh stood ron,a small
table near the door~revealed 10 me the
scanty furniture. which I found-Zo con-
-alst of few tslairS, the table already
mentioned, and. among other articles
CT minor imPCr4ance.a bed in the most
zetired part of 1iaeI room.
The girl steppeJi .aIelr before mo
.'Some this EsF, sir. IF you please"
she Ehispered; ~Saereiis father"
rs she turned te approEch the bsd-
side Of the suffenar to apprize him of
nay lpnesence 1 silestly 'brushed away
a tear which the SIGHT of her grief
worn, Pallid cheeks and eyes red with
much weeping caused 10 start through
my eyelids.
Ny yoathful guide bent oves- the sick
man amt, laying her ckesll,c close to his,
while her arms encircled his neck,
whispered something ta his ear. A
moment after she arose. and placing
a chair ati.he bedside. begged me 10
approach.
, Seating Snyself in the chair she
placed for me. took the haad of the
invalid, ana eszed for the first time
full upon his lace 1 shall never for
set the spectacle Although much
enaciated. his features betrayed the
spirit of pride in the midst Of poverty,
Of resolution in adTersity, and Of the
stenu endurance Daring his moments
Of sgony which dwelt within his
breass-
Iwas about TO aSlGress him, when he
,ut me short by speaking first.
You find me in bad condition.
iir. said he. with a smile l thought
.ather bitter. Il can't deny that am
actually crushed by sickness and mis-
ortune; this you viii readily believe,
or / could never have stopped 10 ask /
OF any one had I not bcen
helpless And even now, sir,
doubt whether / would not have died
'efore asking favor Of any one had
i not been for the broken-hearted girl
who conducted you hither."
l can not describe my sensations on
hearing these words, so full OF pride
md candor, fall from the lips Of man
Who might be dying. II was plain 10
De seen that the invalid had once seen
better days and moved in circles Of re-
inement, and ] was sure that his in