The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1894-07-14

Il III q
| MI@ 80l). his m tn G r
NlllN NlgKy died. But be-
WSS, fore her death
WNMb she exact d
W3M from him a
zN NS promise that
\. he considered
It his sacred duty to fulfill. He was a
conscientious boy and had been a good
son.
"Your father" the dying woman
said, "toolS one thousand dollars from
Seth Manning, of whom you have often
heard me speak. He is a hard man,
treating those less fortunate than
himself coldly and superciliously.
But that was not the slightest excuse
for your fathers dishonesty. Mr..
Manning never even suspected his
guilt. ] have tried during all the
years of my widowhood to earn the
stolen money and restore it. ! found
it utterly impossible to do so, for it
took all l could earn to support myself
and you in even the humblest way.
But you are young and strong and
brave. Bert. dear, if you want me to
rest quietly in my grave. you will
strive to return that money"
He made the promise without any
misgivings, too young to realize how
severe the task might be. He was nat
urally gay and happy, and what upon
some shoulders would have been a
very heavy burden rested lightly and
easily on his. He expected to work
hard and was determined to spend no
more money upon himself than was
absolutely necessary. He tried to find
better situation, and after few
months his perseverance was re-
wardcd He lived quite as simply as
before, managing to savNone hundred
and fifty dollars or more every year.
When Bert was about twenty-one
years old he was walking one day in
the street. carrying valuable vase
home to it's purchaser. Suddenly he
heard a great noise and outcry, and as
he turned a corner he saw dog, his
mouth covered with foam, just ready
to spring upon young girl, who stood
as if paralyzed with fear. The vase
was large and heavy. and without
moments hesitation Bert threw it at
the dogs head. 1T stunned the crea-
ture for a few moments, and before
he could spring up again two police
men attacked him with their clubs
and soon all danger was over. When
Bert picked up his vase he saw with a
sinking heart that the handle was
broken. He sighed, involuntarily.
"Will you have to pay for that?"
asked the girl.
Eyes. think SO" he replied, gravely.
How much will it be?"
''Twenty-tive dollars, at the very
least"
'Oh, am SO sorry!" she exclaimed.
"You did it for me-and 1 am not worth
It,"
You must not say that" he an
swered, approvingly. What is this
thing compared with the life of hu-
man being? Think of your mother"
II have no mother"
'Yonr sister. then, or brother"
II have ncither--nor relative of any
kind
''No one?"
mo. So you see my life cannot be
OF much consequence, although thank
you for saving it,"
Il am all alone. too," Bert said.
1--WE ought to be friends"
How can we be?" she asked, sadly.
''Do / look like a rascal?" he de-
mandcd, in his brusque, iInpetuous
way.
No she replied. gazing straight
into the big. honest eyes. II wish you
were my brother. If You will let me
help you to pay for that vase, broken
on my account. ! shall be very glad.
can give you ten dollars now, that /
have saved"
What were you saving it for?''
10 bny winter cloak; but can
wear my old one"
No, you cannot. DO you think
would deprive you of garment You
really need? Nice brotherI should be-
The acquaintance did not end here e.
Amy Billings painted little pictures
for an art store. They showed no
great taste or talent yet they sold. at
such things do sell. in way that
seems unaccountable. Doing fancy
work besides She managed 10 supply
her simple daily wants The poor
woman with whom she boarded took
u great interest in the desolate child,
befriending her in many ways.
Very soon BERT did what yonns men
who are in no position TO marry are
almost certain to do lie fell in love,
aud with little Amy 1t must have
been from pure pity in the first place,
for the girl was neither pretty nor
especially attractive. Constant care
and anxiety had taken the color from
her cheek and the glad brightness
from her eyes. But tie expression oi
her face WAS sweet and gentle. and
her smile WAS like sunshine. the more
charming. perhaps, on account of IT.
purity, for shc Was usually grave, even
to sadness. Bert WAS always delighted
II he succeeded in bringing merry
look into her face for even inpment.
"You poor little thing" he exclaiu,ed
one day. II would like 10 take ynu ia
my arms ana carry you on where yol
would always dress in satin sud liz.
on nightingales tongues
"s'ou are . dear, good Jsert,' slis
y eaid sshut 4 svosald "a AlserI have AnsfA