The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1890-05-03
ALTCE'S FORTUNE.

"sistet Theodosia, +" said a feeble voice
from the bed.
The Sister OF Charity, a mild faced
woman Of middle age, answered the sum-
mons of the dying man, and approached
the bedside.
The dying man was Hector Moritz, a
who had fallen from a house
which he was building, few days be-
fore, and so injured himself that he could
not recover. He lived just outside the
village Of 81. Barbe, with his little girl,
Alice, now 2 years old. His wife had
died three years before, but Alice, child
as she was, could make coffee and cook
an omelet as skillfully as il she were
twice as old, and had acted as her fa-
theirs little housekeeper. So it ithappened
that, being alone, an unusual affection
had sprung up between Alice and her
father.
The Sister of Charity approached the
bedside. The sick mans face expressed
anxiety, and his eye turned from the
nurse to his little girl, who was pale and
grief stricken, yet had self-control enough
not to betray her emotion lest it should
distress her father in his last moments.
"What can do for you, M. Moritz2n
asked Sister Theodosia, In a gentle voice.
His glance wandered to his little girl
once more.
"Alice," he gaspad, provided for.r
"Do you mean that you wish Alice
provided for?" asked the sister, striving
to interpret his broken words.
ALREADY provided for-money there, "
and he pointed vaguely downwards.
"Poor mani He Is wandering in mind, |"
thought the sister-for he was pointing
to the floor; but she thought it best to
appear to have understood him.
YES" she said gently, "have no anxi-
ety."
He looked at her wistfully, and then,
seeming to think he was understood, he
fell back upon the pillow from which he
had lifted his head, and moment after
expired.
When Alice realized that her father
was really dead she gave way to excess
i've grief-so excessive that it soon wore
itself out, leaving her pale and sorrow
full. Sister Theodosia took her into her
lap and pressed her head against her
bosom IN sad compassion, for little Alice
was now without father or mother.
In due time Hector Moritz was buried,
and the next thing to be considered was,
how should Alice be disposed of
Hector Moritz left two near relatives.
both cousins. One OF these was thriv-
ing tradesman in the next town, a man
who had prospered, partly through his
seltishness' which was excessive. The
other, also residing in the next town,
was a poor shoemaker with large fam
lily, who found it hard enough to make
both ends meet, but was, withal, kind
and cheerful, beloved by his children,
for whom he could do SO little, and pop
ular in the village.
These two cousins met at the funeral
of Hector Moritz.
II suppose Hector died poor" said NJ.
Ponchard, the tradesman, little uneas-
ily
This house is all he owned, 80 far az
/ know" said the notary, "and it il
mortgaged for nearly its value"
"Humph! that Is bad for the child,
said M. Ponchard.
!" suppose you will take her home
M. Ponchardf said the notary, bluntly,
I'VE all know that you are prosperous
man."
The tradesman drew back.
IF l am prosperous" he said, 81 have
had to work for my money. It is all
can do to provide for my own family.
can't support other peoples children"
Then you won't do anything for this
childy
didn't say that. III give her TWEEN
ty-hve-nay, hfty-francs. That's all
oagnt TO DO
"And how long will fifty francs sup
port herr said the notary, disdainfully,
Tor ne detested the meanness of the rich
tradesman.
"Ihat Is not my affair. She need moi
starVe. She can go to the almshouse."
WHO speaks OF the almshouseI" spoke
up M. Corbet, the poor shoemaker.
IN. Ponchard suggests that Alice go tc
N'-S esAAhohNNAoC1 Da@Ao ohS hOthays
"Not while have a home to offer her,
said the poor cousin warmly.
"But, NJ. Corbet," said the notary
"you are poor. Can you afford, with
your many children, to undertake an
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