The Springdale news., 1889-08-16
FATHER AND SON.
A Tale of Pride and Lovo i'll Real
 Life

OnC nIEHJ IaSJ winter, Nlllc put-
 suing my way along enc of the most
 obscure streets in Boston. 1 was
 aroused from the reverie in which 1
 was indulging by hearing light foot
 steps close to my side. Turning quick
 ly l beheld a young girl, apparently
 not more than twelve years old, fol-
 lowing as if she was anxious to speak
 to mo. and when l observed, By the
 dim light of neighboring street lamp,
 that she was poorly clad, trembling, thin and pale, l asked her, in tone of kindness, what she wanted.
 If you please she replied, in a tone that was almost choked with sobs, vet struck me as peculiarly soft and siivcr-toned, If you please, sir. will you go back with me just little way and see my father, who is very sick?"
 What is the matter with your fathcr2' asked, fearful of being de- ceired
 Oh sir, I don't know" she an- swered, in the same tones as before. .'but l fear he is going 10 die 7"
 The earnest manner of the broken hearted girl made me ashamed of hav- ing doubted her at first and l re- solved to comply with her request. I was in just the mood for some advent ure whore there was an opportunity Of accomplishing an object Of benevo- lence, and l willingly followed my timid 5orrowful little guide back to her home.
 The girl led me into a small and somewhat dilapidatcd house, and in vitcd me to ascend a small and narrow staircase. At the head of the stairs l heard her groping about until her hand touched tho latch of a door, which she opened asking mo, in a low voice, to follow her into the room.
 l did so, and found myself in an humble apartment, where scrupulou5 neqtness seemed struggling against absolute want The dim light of Pickering lamp which stood on a small table near the door revealed to me the scanty furniture. which found to con- sist of few chairs. the table already mentioned and, among other articles Of minor importance, bed in the most retired part of the room.
 The girl stepped along before me and pointed to the bed.
 Come this way, sir, if you please, " she whispered; here is father"
 As she turned to approach the bed side of the sufferer to apprize him Of my presence l silently brushed away tear which the sight of her grief worn, pallid cheeks and eyes red with much weeping caused to start through my eyelids.
 My youthful guide bent over the sick man and laying her cheek close to his, while her arms encircled his neck, something in hia ear. A moment after she arose, and placing q chair at the bedside, begged me 10 
 Seating myself in the chair she placed for me, I took the hand Of the invalid, and gazed for the first time full upon his face. l shall never for get the spectacle. Although much emaciated. his features betrayed the spirit of pride in the midst of poverty of resolution in diversity, and of the stern endurance during his moments of agony which dwelt within his breast
 was about to address him, when he cut mo short by speaking first
 You find me in a bad condition, sir. said he, with a smile l thought rathor bitter. II can't deny that am octuallv crushed by sickness and mis- fortune; this you will readily believe, for | could never have stopped to ask assistance of any one had l not been perfectly helpless. And even now SIT, 1 doubt whether l would not have died before asking a favor of any one had ii not been for the broke n-hearted glrl who conducted you hither"
 can not describe my sensations on hearing these words, so full of pride and candor, fall from the lips Of man who might be dying. It was plain to be seen that the invalid had once seen better days and moved in circles of re- finement, and was sure that his ln- tellect was of the finest order It was owing to these peculiar circumstances of the case that l became deeply inter- ested in my new acquaintances and felt anxious to relieve them, and at the same time to learn something of their history. After couversing with the in- valid for few moments he intimated to me that he would willingly let me into the secrets of his history provided the girl was not present to listen.
 Accordingly directed little Hetfy, as the old man called her, to go for physician of my acquaintance, telling