Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1890-09-24
FATHER AND SON.
The True Story Of Their Estrange.
ment and Reunion.

The True Story Of Their Estrange-
ment and Reunion.
Last winter, one night, whilst pur.
suing my way along one of the most OBJ
scure streets in Boston, I was aroused
from the revery in which was indulg-
ing, by hearing light footsteps close to
my side. Turning quickly, I beheld q
young girl, apparently not more than
twelve years old, following, as ii she
was anxious to speak to me; and when
observed. by the dim light OF neigh
boring street lamp, that she was poorly
Glad, trembling, thin and pale, asked
her in tone of kindness what she
wanted.
IF you please, sir" she replied, in a
voice which was almost choked by sobs,
yet which struck me as peculiarly soft
and silver-toned-''it you please, sir,
will you so back with me, just a little
way, and see my father. who IS very
sickY'
"What is the matter with your
father?" l asked, afraid of being de-
ceived.
''Oh, sir, don'tknow," she answered,
In the samo tones as before. "But
fear he is going to die. Do, sir, be so
good as to go and see him!''
The earnest manner OF the broken
hearted girl made me ashamed of hav-
ing doubted her at first, and resolved
to comply with her request 1 was in
just the mood for some adventure
where there was an opportunity of &C.
complishing an object of benevolence,
and willingly followed my timid, sor-
rowful little guide back to her home.
Tho girl led me into small and
somewhat dilapidated house, and in
vited me to ascend small and narrow
staircase. At the head of the stairs
heard her cropping about until her hand
touched the latch of a door, which she
opened, asking me in low voice to fol-
low her into the room.
did so. and found myself in a hum
bic apartment, where scrupulous neat
ness seemed struggling against abso-
Lutte want. The dim light of flicker
ing lamp which stood upon a small
table near the door, revealed to me the
scanty furniture, which found to con-
sist Of u few chairs, the table already
mentioned, and, among other articles of
minor Importance, bed in the most re.
tired part of the room.
Come this way. sir, if you please"
she whispered; ''here is father
AS she turned to approach the led
side OF the sufferer, to apprise him of my
presence, silently brushed away q
tear, which the sight of her grief-worn
pallid cheeks, and eyes red with much
weeping, caused to start through my
eye-lids.
My youthful guide bent over the sick
man, and laying her cheek close to his,
while her arm encircled his neck, whis-
pered something in his ear. A moment
after she arose, and placing chair at
the bedside, begged me to approach.
Seating myself in the chair she placed
for me, l took the hand of the invalid,
and gazed for the first time full upon
his face. shall never forget the spec
tacle. Although much emaciated, his
features betrayed the spirit of pride in
the midst of poverty, of resolution in
adversely, and of the stern endurance,
during his moments of agony, which
dwelt within his breast
was about to address him, when he
cut me short by speaking first.
"You find me in bad condition, SIR"
said he, with smile l thought rather
bitter. 81 can't deny that am actually
crushed by sickness and misfortunes;
this you will readily believe, for could
ct1 ~ nc11 cSoko ~
any one, had 1 not been perfectly help
less. And even now, sir, doubt whether
I would not have died before asking a
favor of any one, had it not been for the
broken-hearted girl who conducted you
hither."
can not describe my sensations on
hearing these words, 80 full of pride and
candor, fall from the lips of man who
might be dying. 1t was plain to be seen
that the invalid had once seen better
days, and moved in circles of refine
ment, and was sure that his intellect
was of the finest order. It was owing
to these peculiar circumstances of the
case that I became deeply interested
in my new acquaintance, and felt anx-
.ious to relieve them, and, at the same
time, to learn something of their his
tory. After conversing with the invalid
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, 1 directed little Het-
ty," as the old man called her, to go for
a physician of my acquaintance, telling
her would stay by her father until she
returned. The night was not cold, and
/ felt that it would benefit her body,
and divert her mind, to take walk in
the city. with the ways of which she
was very we'll acquainted.
Hetty had scarcely left the house when
the door bell rang. The sick man said
that the lower part of the house was
not occupied, and requested me to see
who was at the door. Dbl
Carrying the lamp in my hand, pro-
ceeded down the stairs. l found well
dressed gentleman at the door, who
seemed surprised on seeing me in such
place.
docs Mr.. Farley reside here?" he
asked.
II don't know that he does," re-