The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-06-25
WHOLE No. 1139.

served, in an indirect way, to revive
many half-fOrgotten memories of by-
gone days.
My dear, she remarked, in pri-
Tate conversation with her" daughter,
some six weeks after her marriage.
'the more | think about the matter.
the more | am convinced that at some
time, when we were living here, and
had money that [ was accustomed to
spare, in little acts of kindness. have
rendered some service to Walter which
has made deep impression on his
mind, while 1 had entirely forgotten
it."
'|That," said Altrura, thoughtfully,
''affords a partial explanation of one
of those half-hidden memories that has
been floating around my mind ever
since l first met Walter [ could not
tell whether he simply looked like
some one / had once seen, or whether
l had actually met him in early life;
but his face always had familiar look
And as you know, / told you he adj
mitted that he had once seen me and
you also"
We'll" said Mrs. Morrison, after
few moments reflection, 1--WE are so
well acquainted with Walter now that
| feel at liberty to talk with him in
regard to that matter, and with your
permission, my dear, 1 will speak to
him alone-although 1 am sure he will
not wish me to conceal anything from
you.
To this proposition the young wife
very readily agreed, and an oppor-
| tunity for the desired interview soon
! occurred.
! ''Well, my dear Mrs. Morrison"
said Walter in reply to the lady's in
quiry, which had been made directly
or indirectly so many times, but never
answered. 4 will tell you the whole
story. To you and to others, it may
seem matter of slight importance,
but to me it was of serious moment,
and the turning point of my life.
''You are already familiar with my
history up to the time of the death of
! my parents-that of my father subse-
quent upon the train of calamities that
came upon him, and that of my mother
| and only sister which followed soon
after, caused by the grief and distress
OF his loss and our misfortunes-leav-
ing me at the age of 10 entirely alone.
within few months, however,
began to gather strength and look
| around to see what l could do. I had
no property to fall back upon. There
was a little | might have saved had
my mother lived, but after her death
creditors came in and took everything.
Il had a good education to start
with, but of business l knew nothing
at that time-in fact had never earned
dollar by any direct effort of my
own.
81 realized, however, that 1 would
have to carve out my own fortune if
ever had one, and in spite of my ig-
norance of any kind of practical en-
ployment, it seemed to me as if
could certainly rush right in and do
something by which could more than
earn bare living.
Il started out for western city to
see what [ could do there, but failed |
at everything, and returned discour-
aged and utterly destitute.
'While thinking over what to do 1 |
recollected a man whom my father had |
befriended, and remember alSo-hav-
ing heard that he was cold and un-
grateful. 1 determined, however, to
call on him at his place of business,
and did so one morning.
my appearance was extre mely |
shabby, and, my health very much |
impaired. l stated my wants and cir
custances to the man, and asked him
for loan of So. In reply. he threw
that amount on the counter before me,
and said: Here, take it, young man
not as loan, for you will never be
able to repay it-but as a gift and the
next time you beg go to the overseer
of the poor
Il did not touch the money! could
not have lifted it from the counter.
The cruel taunt and sneer stung me to
the hearth
''Oh! oh!' interposed Mrs Morrison,
who had listened thus far with breath
less interest.
81 remember it all now. l heard
every word of that conversation. But
your face was turned away from me at
the moment-in fact, l scarcely saw
it. l instantly, however, made up my
mind what 1 ought to do"
YES" said Walter, in tone fer
vent with gratitude, while tears started
to his fine eyes 'tAnd you did it! As
passed by you going out of the store
in whirl of perpleXity, distress, and
despondency, not knowing what to do
neXt-where to turn to find friend
you slipped quietly into my hand a $40
bill, saying. in tone that only could
hear: Take this, not as gift, but as
loan, to be repaid when you are able
to do So
cat your side on that never-tc-be-
forgotten OCCASION" continued Walter,
stood lovely little girl; and it
seemed to me that the sweetest and
most comforting feature of that kind
act was the look of genuine delight
which radiated her face and beamed
from her soft eyes when she saw you
hand me the money. In that instant
both your faces were photographed on
my memory with fidelity that no
lapse of time or change of surround
ings could ever efface.
Il did not know who you were at
the moment, but 1 soon learned, and
took fresh courage from that time.
With that SO in my pocket found an
employment that paid me from the
start, and from that time on l was
never out of money.
Il was absent, however, from the
city on business that proved very sue
cessful; and when / returned, able at
last to repay that loan in-what SEEM
ed to my grateful heart-a fitting man
ner, l learned that you had left the
city, and l was unable to gather any
definite information regarding your
whereabouts.
But another purpose had been
forming in my mind during that alb
sence-one that added zest to my de-
sire and effort to find you. That
sweet young face, so full of earnest
sympathy, had been before me con-
tinually, and it had become my dear
est wish that some day might ask to
have its brightness shed over me for
life.
so 1 followed up every clue could
discover, and at last, as yon know.
my search was rewarded. And so,
dear madam, he added. as smiling
and extending his hands he clasped
hers, also outstretched, in earnest
pressure, you see how have proved
my gratitude, after all. have repaid
that gift by asking and obtaining
greater one."
But one which has been gladly and
cordially given" replied Mrs. Morri-
son. returning his warm clasp. 'And |