The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-06-07

1t was a hot sultry afternoon. The
train from Indianapolis was not due for
over an hour and the sole occupants of a
little station in the southern part OF In
diana were an old farmer and a drummer
for S. Meridian-st firm who had driven
across the country in order to catch the
down train for neigh boring city. Slowly
and sadly the farmer walked up
and down the depot platform,
while the drummer, lying under
a tree opposite the miserable depot. at
tempted TO read. 1t was a feeble attempt.
however, for the flies and other insects
made it impossible for him TO enjoy him
self with any degree of comfort.
The railway tracks stretched away for
miles, and the intense heat which arose
from the rails had no apparent effect on
tim old farmer, who stood with his hat in
his hand gazing wistfully in the direction
of the far away city. Occasionally ne
placed his hand, rough with toll, to his
eyes and wiped away the tears
which, in spite OF his efforts
at composure would course down h s
wrinkled cheeks. He appeared to be anx-
lous 10 speak to some one and presently
turned TO the drummer and said: La
me! children never know what a trouble
and anxiety they are to their parents i"
That's So" replied the drummer by
way OF encouragement
Now there's my Mandy" continued
the old gentleman. 'as fine girl as ever
lived in these parts, but she was too
much for mother and |, too much for
mother and l. You see," continued the old
man, mother and l have one OF the best
farms in this county and we were re-
spected by the entire community. Mandy
was our only child and she had things
pretty much as she liked. Every Sunday
we took her to church with us and long
before she was sixteen years of age every
body remarked what a pretty child she
was We allowed her every privilege and
! consequently she had suitors by the score
| but our life did not suit her. Our ways
were not her ways. In fact she
! appeared to belong to another word
and l used to often wonder
whether she really was my child or had
/ been left at our door by some good angel
/ who would receive our blessing forever.
/ As Mandy grew older she became more
! dissatisfied, and although she loved
mother and dearly. she had desire TO
] know more of the great world which lay
beyond the limits of our farm and had a
| longing TO leave our house and 20 to the
| wicked city.
with such thoughts as these it was no
| trouble whatever for a scOundrel with
his fendish, hattering tongue to in
! duce her 10 run away with
/ him. | never will forget the next morn
ing after we discovered that she had left
us. The shock was too much for mother
and she was taken sick and for a time L
thought she. too, would leave me forever.
/ occasionally received a letter from
Mandy and she always told me she was
happy and for mother and l not to worry
about her. | finally went up 10 Indian
apolIs TO sec her and found MY God
what do think?-that my Mandy had
fallen from grace and was an inmate OF a
| vile den of sin. On my Bonded knees l
begged of her to return home with me.
No father she replied, Il have disgraced
you and could never look You or mother in
the face again at home. No, let me remain
mere till / die
al tried everything to get her to come
home with me but she refused to do so,
and | was finally forced TO leave without
her Hesrtbroken | returned to the farm
and in answer to mothers eager inquiries
] thought il best to tell the truth and
did so. She fell in a dead faint
and the next day she passed
over the dark river. Two days later we
| buried her on the little hillside which can
be seen from the back door of the farm
house. | meyer prospered after that.
Everything went wrong, and / was often
tempted to take my life and end il all and
Join mother on the other side, if there is
such thing as a suicide entering the
! kingdom of heaven.
Day before yesterday received
dispatch saying that Mandy had
! died. and that the authorities
wished to know what disposition
to make of the remains, and answered
Immediately: Send the body here To-
day 1t is coming and / will lay her beside
mother. and when my time on earth is
ended | wish to occupy a spot by their
sides"
The deep, hoarse whistle of the train
warned the drummer of its nearness and
he and the farmer went to the platform to
await its arrival. There was the usual
hustle and confusion, and rough pine
box was tenderly placed on the platform.
"All aboardp' shouted the conductor,
and giving the signal TO the engineer the
train started to move slowly away. The
drummer swung himself on the rear plat
form of the last couch, and as be looked
back he saw the old farmer, with tears in
| hf- he hnx fpSr Ill