The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1900-01-16
THE MILL HANDS
DAUGHTER.
AN~~
One Touch Of Nature
Makes the Whole World Kin.
BY W. z. ROSE

be his business affairs, for all his in
vestments were sound and highly re
munerative and his large income was
rapidly increasing. No, he must look
for the cause elsewhere. Perhaps it
would be well to consult a doctor.
He arose and, lighting the gas, look
ed at his watch. 1t was half past 4.
He went to window that faced the
east and raised the sash. The air came
in cool and fragrant. Low down by the
PARKWAY ridge streaks of pale light
were showing.
"I'll see this sunrise" said Amos
Brandon. 81 haven't seen one since
was boy" He hastily dressed him
self and bathed his face and hands.
''TIl see it 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
ly along the avenue he snuffed the air
and found it 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, a 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 mary people know
anything about it2 Precious few. Look
at the present audience. One restless,
lonely man and night Waterman
or two. What shameY'
He came to a street intersection and
paused and looked at his watch.
Quarter after 8" he muttered. mo,
I'll not go home. feel like runaway
boy I'll stroll down to the lake. l
don't believe I've really seen the lake
in a 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
~ hour Once he heard a man repeat
his name to his companions, and they
all stared curiously at him as they
passed.
AS he came within sight of the lakes
blue ripples a girl came across the av-
enue and turned In on the sidewalk
just ahead of him. She was girl of
perhaps IA, 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
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 risers.
Yes, sir" said the girl, who showed
no surprise at his abrupt remark, Il
have to rise early to carry my fathers
breakfast to him. He is a helper at
the mills over there" She pointed to
a long row Of dingy buildings not far
ahead
She spoke wen and with lack of
constraint 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 noon." she answered.
And how far do you comeT
"About mile and half''
She gave him a little nod and turned
to cross a vacant field that would save
her few steps. Amos watched her for
a 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 dimply
surface, and the swash of the little
waves as they struck the piling, and
the black banner of smoke trailing aft
er a 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; a
swarthy man, with small black eyes
and 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 10
the girl, who nodded back, and when
the swarthy man looked up he nodded
to him too. Amos leaned against
pile Of lumber.
Your load win be lighter on the way
back" he said to the girl.
YES" she answered, father always
has a good appetite"
The swarthy man looked up. He
nodded glavely to Amos.
"She good girl" he slowly said.
"Come long way"
Eyes" 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,
He said this with some difficulty, but
with evident qualification.
"Oh, father" cried the child, with a
swift little blush
Then the swarthy mans rough voice
grew softer.
She all got, be said.
Il see" said Amos Brandon.
"Mutter dead, bruder dead, sister
dead. Only Lena left" He turned a
little and stroked the girls hand.
Something rose in the rich mans
throat. and a mist swan before his
eyes.
The swarthy man smilingly looked
his child over from hat to shoes. When
he reached the shoes, he scowled.
bad shoesw he said. bad shoesw
The girl turned to Amos Brandon.
"Father thinks / should wear ms
best shoes" she explained.
doesn't kaow how fast this
wear them out" -
BEST Shoes" eQ
man; yes, yes,