The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1901-11-21
PATHETIC INCIDENT.
A Story From Real Life as Told by
One of the Principals.
Communicated,

Communicated.
Governor B., from distant Southern
State, whom frequently meet at Buffalo
Lithia Springs, relates the following lit
tie incident that happened during his
first term as Governor. Says he:
Mr.. H., a prominent planter, in the heat
of passion shot and dangerously wound
ed his manager, for which he was tried
and sentenced to serve term of five
years in the pententiary. On account OF
his prominence and estimable character
every effort was made to secure his
pardon, but did not feel it MY duty to
interfere. But when his young and dis
tressed wife and her two beautiful little
girls came to my office and begged SO
piteously, | came near yielding, but |
braced myself up and finally told her the
worst. | can never forget the look OF
distress that was on her face when she
left. 1t haunted me for days.
A few weeks after this, little Leila, the
eldest daughter OF Mrs. H.. beautiful
little curly headed blonde, about four
years old, came rushing in my office, and
crawling up in my lap and looking me in
the face, commenced to prattle away in
her sweet childish brogue.
"Duvner," said she, have you dot any
IlLtlt uITlS ike lie DIT Y our uOuSc.
Yes" saysI |.
'Duvner, do your little dirls love you
like me and little sister love our sweet
papa?''
Yes; guess So"
"Duvner, do you love your little dirls
like our papa loves us?'
Yes"
"Duvner, do your little dirls run to the
gate to meet you ebry night when you
go homer
Yes; very often"
''NIe and little sister used to run out to
the gate to neet our sweet papa ebry
night and he would take US up in his
arms and carry us up the steps, but our
sweet papa don't come home OF nights
now, and little sister cries ebry night,
and | cries ebry night, and poor mama
she cries ebry night and all the time.
Duvner, please, please let our papa come
home tonight. Please Duvner, please
Duv-.'
The sweet little darling broke down
| and went into sobs. After sobbing
awhile, she nestled her little curly head in
my bosom and was soon sound asleep.
She had been asleep but short while
| when a sweet smile stole over her bright
little face, and partly opening her eyes
she said:
Don't cry little sister; please don't cry
mama; our dear, sweet papa is coming
home tonight; dood Duvner.'
| then broke down, | could stand it no
longer, and directed my secretary to fill
out full and unconditional pardon for
H., and hand to me to sign. gave it to
my secretary and directed him to call a
| carriage and go to the prison at once and
have ii. change his clothes and bring him
to my office, but not to tell him that his
family We're here.
| gently laid my little charge on a
lounge, but her mother and little sister
soon came i'll and called for her. but [
told Mrs H. not to wake her, as she was
smiling SO sweetly supposed the angels
We're whispering good news to her. |
showed her in an adjoining room, and
told her would have carriage for her
| in time to take her train.
In a short while my secretary drove up
with II. | met him at the door. He
embraced me, but was too full for utter
ance. | took him to the lounge where his
| little daughter was sleeping and while he
was taking her in his arms | opened the
door and said to Mrs. H.: 'Here is a
present for you
| You can imagine the rest.
| kittrell, \. e. CWR