Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1899-12-18
THE MILL HANDS
DAUGHTER.
One Touch OF Nature
Makes the Whole World Kin.
BY w. R. ROSE.

be his business affairs. for all his in
vestments were sound and highly re-
muneratlve, and his large income was
rapidly increasing. No. he must look
for the cause elsewhere. Perhaps 1t
would be well to consult doctor.
He arose and, lighting the gas. look
ed at his watch. 1t was half past l..
He went to window that faced the
east and raised the sash. The air came
in cool and fragrant. Low down by the
faraway ridge streaks of pale light
We're showing.
"l'll see this SUNRISE" said Amos
Brandon. II haven't seen one since
was a boy" He hastily dressed him
self and bathed his face and hands.
"Tll see 1t from the outside" he added.
and softly creeping down the stairway
found his hat and opening the great
door descended the stone steps that led
to the street.
AS he faced the east and moved slow
and found 1t good. He even took off
his hat and let it cool his head.
ut certainly seems to me that this Is
better than tossing on that comfortless
mattress" he muttered. "Wonder why
l never thought OF it before?"
The pale streaks In the east grew
broader. pink flush rose behind the
wooded crest, the clouds became hazy.
Swiftly the flush deepened, spokes Of
light were flung upward, and then
came the sun.
Amos Brandon walked slowly on
ward, eagerly watching these magic
changes.
"Oh," he said. that's fine. It's worth
the trouble. How many people know
anything about It? Precious few. Look
at the present audience. One restless
lonely old man and night watchman
or two. What a shame"
He came to street intersection and
paused and looked at his watch.
"Quarter after O." he muttered. mo,
I'll not go home. feel like runaway
boy. I'll stroll down to the lake.
don't believe I've really seen the lake
in n dozen years"
He walked at leisurely gait, breath-
ing In the tonicky air and ever and
anon turning his gaze on the sun tinted
clouds. His eyes were brighter and
his step more elastic. He seemed to
grow younger as he advanced. Labor
Ing men, swinging their dinner boxes,
looked around as they passed him.
His was an unusual figure at that ear
ly hour. Once he heard man repeat
his name to his companions, and they
| CT ot hi tknv
passed.
AS he came within sight of the lakes
blue ripples n girl came across the av-
enue and turned in on the sidewalk
just ahead of him. She was girl of
perhaps II. rather slender, with clear
olive complexion and thick dark hair.
She was neatly dressed, save her shoes.
which were dingy and frayed. and In
her hand she carried basket whose
contents were concealed beneath q
white paper Amos Brandon quicken
ed his steps little.
you are an early riser" he said to
the girl. At the moment he was inter-
ested In early r!sers.
"Yes, SIR" said the girl. who showed
no surprise ut his abrupt remark. II
have to rise early to carry my fathers
breakfast to him. He is helper at
the mills over there" She pointed to
long row of dingy buildings not far
ahead.
She spoke well and with a lack of
constralnt that the old man admired.
"Why doesn't your father come home
to his breakfast?" he asked.
"He goes to work at midnight and
quits at nooD," she answered.
"And how far do you comey
"About mile and half"
She gave him little nod and turned
TO cross vacant field that would save
her few steps. Amos watched her for
n moment as she sturdily stepped for
ward.
"A good little woman, and her father
should be proud of her. l hope he is."
He sighed softly as he plodded on.
He enjoyed the lake with its dlmply
surface, and the swash of the little
waves as they struck the pillng. and
the black banner of smoke trailing aft
er faraway steamer. Presently he
turned and strolled over toward the
iron mills. Almost in a moment he
came upon the girl of the lunch bas-
ket. She was sitting on low pile OF
boards, and close beside her sat work.
ingman. bare armed and sinewy: n
swarthy man, with small black eyes
and n short black beard. He was eat
ing, with evident enjoyment. the break
fast the girl had brought him. Amos
Brandon paused at the picture. 1t
pleased him. He nodded smilingly to
the girl. who nodded back. and when
the swarthy man looked up he nodded
10, him too. Amos leaned against u
pile Of lumber
"Your load will be lighter on the way
back" he said to the gid.
"Yes," she answered. father always
has good appetite"
The owarthy man looked up. He
nodded gravely to Amos.
"She good girl" he slowly said.
'Come long way"
"Yes," said Amos. 'I'm sure she's
good girl"
The swarthy man looked around at
the object of his praise. There was
fondness in his glance.
Smart girl. too" he said. Teacher
say smartest girl in English school,"