The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1894-07-12

GN promise that
it his sacred duty to fulfill. lie was
conscientious boy and had been good
son.
Your father" the dying woman
said, took one thousand dollars from
Seth Manning, of whom you have often
heard me speak He is 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 l have tried during all the
years of my widowhood to earn the
stolen money and restore it. L found
1t utterly impossible to do so, for it
took all 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
IL ally gay and happy, and what upon
some shoulders would have been
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 situate and after a few
months his perseverance was re-
warded. He lived quite as simply as
before, managing to save one 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 a valuable vase
home to its purchaser. Suddenly he
heard great noise and cutlery, 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 a
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
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-five dollars, at the very
least"
"Oh. am so sorry She exclaimed
''You did it for me-and am not worth
tt"
You must not say that" he an
swered, approvingly. What is this
thing compared with the life of a hui
man being? Think of your mother"
Il have no mother
Your sister, then, or BROTHER
II have neither-nor relative of any
kind"
mo one?'
NO. So you see my life cannot be
of much consequence, although thank
you for saving it."
Il am all alone, too" Bert said.
''We ought to be friends"
''IIow can we bc?" she asked, sadly.
do | look like rascal?" he de-
manded in his brusque, impetuous
way.
No" she replied, gazing straight
into the big, honest eyes. Il 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 1
have saved"
What were you saving it for?"
''To buy a winter cloak; but can
wear my old one"
mo, you cannot. Do you think |
would deprive you of a garment you
really need? Nice brother should be-
The acquaintance did not end here.
Amy Billings painted little pictures
for an art store. They showed no
great taste or talent, yet they sold, as
such things do sell, in a way that
seems unaccountable. Doing fancy
work besides, she managed to supply
her simple daily wants The poor
woman with whom she boarded took
a great interest in the desolate child,
befriending her in many ways.
Very soon Bert did what young men
who are in no position to marry are
almost certain to do. He fell in love,
and 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 check and the glad brightness
from her eyes. But the expression of
her face was sweet and gentle, and
her smile was like sunshine, the more
charming perhaps, on account of its
purity, for she was usually grave, even
TO sadness Bert was always delighted
if he succeeded in bringing a merry
look into her face for even a moment.
you poor little thing" he exclaimed
one day. Il would like to take you in
my arms and carry you off where you
would always dress in satin and live
on nightingales tongues"
You are a dear, good Bert she
said, "but | would rather have mus
Inns to wear sometimes, and | should
prefer generous slice of roast beef to
the nightingales' tongues" And it
made his heart fairly dance to hear a
genuine laugh ripple from her lips.
a short time after this Bert made a
sudden declaration of his love- with