Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-03-28

not to betray her emotion lest it should
distress her father in his last moments.
what can do for you, NJ Moritz"
asked Sister Theodosia, in gentle voice.
His glance wandered to his little girl
once more.
Alice" he gasped, provided for"
do you mean that you wish Alice
provided for9' asked the sister, striving
" interpret his broken words.
ALREADY provided for-money there"
and he pointed vaguely downwards.
Poor man! 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 de 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,
h,tk Of ithaca thriv
ing tradesman in the next town, man
who had prospered. partly through his
selfishness, which was excessive. The
other, also residing in the next town,
was q 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 50 little. and pop
| ular in the village.
These two cousins met at the funeral
Of Hector Moritz.
II suppose Hector died poor" said n.
Ponchard. the tradesman, little uneas-
lily.
This house is all he owned, so far -
l know" said the notary, land it is
mortgaged for nearly its value"
"Humph! that is bad for the child"
said NJ. Poncha
II suppose you will take her home,
NJ. Ponchard?' said the notary. bluntly.
1--WE all know that you are prosperous
man."
TIE tradesman drew back.
IF am prosperous" he said, ~ have
MAJ ne Il to WORK f5f MY nlssne It is all
can do to provide for my own family.
can't support other peoples children"
"Then you won't do anything for the
child?'
81 didn't say that. I'll give her TWEEN
ty-five-nay, fifty-francs. That's all
ought to do"
"And how long will fifty francs sup
port herr" said the notary, disdainfully.
for he detested the meanness of the rich
tradesman.
THAT is not my affair. She need not
starve. She can go to the almshouse
"Who speaks Of the almshouse?' spoke
up NJ. Corbet. the poor shoemaker.
IN. Ponchard suggests that Alice go to
the almshouse," said the notary.
Not while have 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
additional burden?'
Il never look on them as burdens
they are my joy and comfort" said NJ
Corbet. II can't give Alice a luxurious
home, but such as have she is welcome
to. l am sure the good God will not let
me starve if undertake the care Of my
little orphan cousin"
Hes a fool!' thought NJ. Ponchard
contemptuously. He will always be
miserably poor"
But the notary grasped his hand, and
said:
IN. Corbet, respect you. II you are
not rich in money, you are rich in good
heart, and that is the best kind of riches."
So, no opposition being made, the little
Alice went home with the poor shoe
maker. AS for the cottage. that was left
in the hands of the notary to sell. As
already intimated. there was a mortgage
upon it to nearly its full value. so that it
was not likely to bring much over.
What little there should be would, Of
course, go to Alice.
Several months passed without any
opportunity to sell the cottage. During
that time Alice remained at the house Of
NJ. Corbet, treated. was about to say,
like one of the family. This, however,
would not be strictly correct. She Was
not treated like one Of the family, but
better than one Of the family; in short,
like favored guest, for whom nothing
was too good.
But unfortunately at this juncture, II.
Corbet fell sick. and having always been
compelled to live to the limit Of his small
income, had nothing saved up for the
rainy day which had come upon him,
and SO the family were soon in . sad
strait.
The notary heard Of it and was stirred
with compassion.
IF only Alice had something" he
said to Sister Theodosia, whom he met
one day at a sick bed; for the good Sis
ter of Charity spent her time in tending
49, $50" '''sONs II OIhy
Alice had some small property she might
come to the relief of her poor relation"
And has she noty' asked Sister Theo-
dosia.
Nothing that know Of beyond the
house. and upon that there is mortgage
to nearly its full value"
But her father upon his deathbed told
me that she was provided for"
did he. indeed" asked the notary,
surprised. did he say anything moref"
mo, he was unable to; but he pointed
70 the floor. am afraid he was out Of
his head and meant nothing"
"Stop! have an idea" said the no
tary suddenly. Can you leave for .
few minutes and go with me to the cot
tage:'
"Yes, can be spared for half IN
hour said Sister Theodosia.
Together they went to the cottage,
which CHANGED to be close by.
''Now," said the notary, when they
were once inside, Ito what part Of the |