The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1900-02-28
THE DAUGHTER OF
TIE MILL HAND.


be his business affairs, for .ll his in
vestmcnts were sound and highly re
muneratiV and his large income wa
rapidly increasing. No he must lool
for the cause else where. Perhaps i
would be well to consult doctor
We arose and lighting the gas looket
at his watch. IL was half-past four
He went to Il window that faced tn,
east and raised the sash. The air cam,
in cooi and fragrant. Low down b,
the far away ridge streaks of pale ligh
were showing.
"Pll see this SUNRISE said Amos
Brandon. haven't seen one since
was boy"
He hastily dressed himself anc
hathed MS face and hands. "ln see
it from the outside" he added, and
softly creeping down the stairway
found his hat, and opening the grea,
door descended the stone steps that led
to the street.
As he faced the cast and moved
slowly along the avenue be snutled the
alr and found it good. He even took
u!l his hat and let it cool his head
:" IL certainly st ems to me that this
Is better han tossing on that com fort
less ma )" he muttered. Won.
der why never thoue ht Of it before 2"
The pale streakS in the east grew
wooded rest, the clouds became hyZy.
Swiftly the Hush deepened, spokes OF
light were nung upward, md then
came the sun.
Amos Brandon walked SLOW ly on
ward, eagerly watching those magic
changes.
"On," he said, that's fine It's
worth the trouble. How iuany people
know anything about it? Precious
| n.Iy h.
One restless, lonely, old man, and a
night watchman or two. What a
shame ~
he came to Il street intersection an
paused and looked at his watch.
Quarter after D." he muttered.
No, III not go home. | feel like a
runaway boy. III stroll down TO the
lake. don't believe I've really seen
the lake in dozen years"
He wa ked at u leisurely gait, breath
ing in the tonicy air and ever and
anon turning bis gaze on the sun.
tinted clouds. His eyes were brighter
and his step more elastic. He seemed
10 grow younger as he advanced.
LabOring men, swinging their dinner
boxes. looked around as they passed
him. His was an unusual figure at
that early hour. Once he heard - 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 rippies a girl came across the
avenue and turned in on the sidewalk
just ahead OF him. She was girl OF
perhaps IA, rather slender, with q clear
olive complexion and thick, dark hair
She was neatly dressed, save her SHOES,
WHICH were Cingy and frayed, and in
her hand sne carried u basket whose
bontents wee concealed beneath
white paper. Amos Brandon quicken
ed his steps u little.
- You are an early riser" he said to
the glri. Al the moment he was in
terested in early risers.
Yes, sir, said the girl, who showed
no surprise at 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 10
u long row of dingy buildings not far
ahead.
She spoke well and with lack of
constraint that the old man admired.
Why doesn't your father come
home to his breakfast :" he asked
L" He goes to work at midnight and
quits at noon," she answered.
And how far do you come ?''
About mile and half
She gave him little nod aud turned
to cross q vacant field that would save
her few steps. Amos watched her
for moment as she sturdily stepped
forward.
"a good little woman, and her
father should be proud OF her. hope
he is." He sighed softly as he plodded
on.
He enjoyed the lake with the dimply
surface, and the swash OF the little
waves as they struck the piling, and
tie black banner OF smoke trailing
after u far-sway steamer. Presently
he turned and strOlled over toward the
iron mills. Almost in a moment he
came upon the girl OF the lunch basket.
She was sitting on a low pile Of boa, ds
and close beside sat wOrkingman
bare armed and sinewy; swarthy
man with.small, black eyes and a short
black beard. He was eating, with
evident enjoyment the breakfast the
girl had brought bin. Amos Bran
don paused at the picture. 1t pleased
him. He nodded smilingly to the girl,
who nodded back, and when the swar.
thy man looked up he nodded to him,
zoo. Amos leaned against a pile of
lumber.
"Your load will be lighter on the
way back" he said to the girl.
Yes" she answered, father al.
ways has good appetite"
rhe swarthy man looked up. He
> nodded gravely 10 Amos.
" She good girl" he slowly said.
=" Come long way"
e., Yes" said Amos. Pm 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 "Teach-
er cay smartest girl in English school,"
He said this with some officially, 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" he said
" see, said Amos Brandon.
Mutter dead, brother dead, sister
dead. Only Lena left He turned q
little and softly stroked the girls
hand.
Something rose in the rich mans
throat, and mist swan before his
eyes.
The swarthy man smilingly look ed
his child over from hat to shoes.
When ho reached the shoes he scowled
"Bao Shoes" he said. bad shoes ~
hn tale 20 4