The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1892-04-13

know this part of the country? He
was North country by his speech"
"Yes, he knew the neighborhood, had
been there"
Being a kindly, gentle woman, she
put down his absent manner to his
being weak and i'll. At this time the
little girl had been looking at him
with grave childish eyes. Suddenly,
as if touched by some divine instinct
of pity, she went up to him and put
her little hand on his knees, saying:
"Poor, poor man." and stretched upon
tiptoe to kiss him, thrusting at the same
time into his hand a battered woolly
dog, one of her treasures.
The child's attempt to comfort him
was too much; a sort of sob burst
from him. This was her child and she
looked as Mary had done when they
were children together. He could bear
it no longer; hastily he stopped down
and kissed the child, then rose, saying:
''.Ihank you, missus, / must be goin'
on my way"
In vain she begged him to stay till
her man came home; he still refused.
As he passed out of the door he turned
and asked: Maybe you know is any
of the family of Lear left hereabouts?"
A shadow passed over her face.
There are all dead or gone away"
aye, so I've heard" he answered,
and went out into the night.
Where should he 90? He had no
friends who would know him. He
walked down the pathway and heard
the door shut behind him. He stag
gered from weakness and almost fell.
aye, but l will never disgrace her.
By the look in her eyes she has not
forgotten old days. Eh, nun, but she
is bonny yet," he murmured to him
self. In the darkness he made out a
shed by the path. He must rest few
minutes more. He turned aside and
crept in at the open door. He sat down,
leaning against some wood stacked
there, trying to think. The snow
drifted III on him unheeded; his
thoughts had gone back to the past.
Why.was all getting SO clear to himP
His old home, the kitchen with its wide
chimney-place and oak-raftered ceiling.
He could hear his mothers voice Groom
ing the evening hymn, GLORY to Thee,
My God, This Night" as she went
about her work. Mary Romer was
there, too, slip of girl; they were
sitting by the wood fire on little stools
talking of what they would do when
they were big.
How bright and happy they were,
mother listening to and smiling at
their childish fancies. Such a sense
of relief was coming over his aching
limbs. The door opened, tall figure
came in and stood by him. Who was
it? Was it the kind, grave doctor
who had fought death for himP The
form bent over him and a voice said
"John Lear, you have had hard
fight, but you have kept honest. Res
comes to ALL" and a strong, tender hand
was laid on his aching forehead.
"Aye, the fights been hard, but
could work yet. Could you help me
to job?" he added, trustingly.
81 will help" said the soft, deel
voice, "but you must rest now"
And deep sleep fell on the poor
tired John Lear, and the forms of hi
mother and Mary faded. He slep
quite peacefully, holding still the child
toy. which he had kept in his hand un
consciously.
/ In the morning the farmer came t,
fetch wood and found John Lear sleep
ing the sleep which has no awakenin,
| to pain, cold or want. The snow ha
nearly covered him and made hi
winding-sheet. No one knew him
this shattered man had no likeness t
the fresh, hopeful youth who had lef
long years ago. He had kept hi
secret!
The farmer, good man, said "thoug
he might be tramp, still he had bee,
his guest and the little lass had give
him her toy;" he should have no paur
er's funeral, so he buried him at hi
own expense, and himself and his VIII
followed to the grave.
Mary never guessed that it was he
old love they had laid in his last hom
in the quiet white churchyard and tina
her little child had given him his las
kiss on earth.-IennpIe Bar.