Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1890-09-19
ALICE.S FORTUNE.

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.
Tie diving man was Hector Moritz. a
carpenter, who had fallen from "A house
which he was building, a few days be-
fore, and so injured himself that e could
not recover. He lived just outside the
village Of st. Barbe, with his little girl.
Alice. now 7 Years old. His wife had
died three years before, hut Alice, child
a. she was, could make coffee and cook
an omelet as skillfully as if she were
twice as old. and had acted as her IA
theirs little housekeepcr. So II happened
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 turhed from the
nurse to his little girl. who was pale and
grief stricken, yet had sclf-control enough
not to betray her emotion lest it should
distress her father in his last moments.
"What can | 10 for you, II. Moritz?'
asked Sister Theodosia, in a gentle voice.
His glance wandered to his little girl
once more.
''Alice," he gasped. provided for"
"Do you mean that you wish Alice
provided foF? asked the sister. striving
to interpret his broken words.
Already provided for-money there"
and he pointed vaguely down wards.
"Poorman. He Is wandering in mind"
thought the sistcr-for he was pointing
20 the floor; but she thought it best to
appear to have understood him.
Yes" she said gently, ''haye no anxi-
ety."
He looked at her wistfully. and then,
seeming to think he was understood, Ike
fell back upon the pillow from which he
had lifted his head, and a 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 he
lap and pressed her head against he
bosom in sad compassion, for little Alicl
was now without father or mother.
In due time Hector Moritz was buried
and the next thing 10 be considered was
how should Alice be disposed of!
Hector Moritz left two near relatives
both cousins. One of these was a thriy
ing tradesman in the next town, a ma.
who had prospered. partly through hi
s~elfshness, which was excessive. Til
other, also residing in the next town
was a poor shoemaker with a large fam
lily, who found it hard enough to max
both ends meet, but was, withal, kin
and cheerful, beloved by lis children
for whom he could 10 so little, and POP
ular in the village.
These two cousins met 1T the funera
Of Hector Moritz.
II suppose Hector died poor" said n
P~onchard, the tradesnlan, a little une;u
lily.
"This house is all he owned, so far &
1 know" said the notary, "and it
mortgaged for nearly its value"
"Humph! that is bad for the child
snid N. Ponchard.
IL suppose you will take her hOm
NJ. Ponchard?1 said the notary, blunt.
1--WE all know that you are a prosperol
man"
The tradesman drew back.
III l am prosperous" he said, 81 ha,
had to work for my mor'.y. 1t is all
can do to provide for my own family.
cunt support other peoples children"
"Then you won't do anything for Il
childY'
II didn't say that. I'll give her TIVE
ty-hve-nay, lifty-francs. That's all
ought to do"
"And how long will fifty francs su
port herr said the notary. d|isdainfull
for he detested the Of the rio
tradesman.
THAT is not my affair. She need II
starve. She can so to the %almshouse."
"Who speaks OF the almshouse?' spoI
up NJ. Corbet, the poor shoemaker.
M. Ponchard suggests that Alice go
the almshouse," said the notary.
''Not while l have home to offer heI
said the poor cousin warmly.
But, NJ. Corbet," said the notar
'you are poor. Can you afford, wi
your many children, to undertake
additional BURDEN
Il never look on them as burdens
they IRE my joy and comfort" said
Corbet. II can't give Alice n luxurio
home, but such as ] have she is wclcor
20. l am sure the good God will not
me starye If l undertake the care Of n
little orphan cousin
Hes a fooll' thought NJ. Poncha
eontemptuously. Gle will always
miserably poor"
But the notary grasped his hand, al
said;
IN. Corbet, / respect you. II you a
not rich In money, you are rich in a go
heart, and that is the best kind Of riches
SO, no opposition being made, the liz
Alice went home with the poor she
maker. AS for the cottage, that was Il
in the hands of the notary to sell.
already minated, there was q mortga
upon it TO hearty its full value, so that
was not likely TO bring much ov'
What little there should be would,
course so 70 Alice.
Several months passed without al
opportunity 20 SCH tic cottage. Duri