Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1901-08-01
ONE TOUCH OF NATURE ;

surely; he was only 81; andit couldn't
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 doctor.
He arose and, lighting the gas,
looked at his watch. 1t was 4.30. He
went to window that faced the east
and raised the sash. The air came
cool and fragrant. Low down by the
far-away ridge streaks of pale blue
light were showing.
"I'll see this SUNRISE" said Amos
Brandon. 81 haven't seen one since
l was a boy" He hastily bathed and
dressed himself. "I'll 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
slowly along the avenue he snuffed the
air and found it good. He even took
off his hat and let it cool his head.
"It certainly seems to me that this
is better than tossing on that comfort
less Mattress" he muttered. WON
der why 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 those 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 a
night watchman or two. What
shame!"
He came to street intersectioned
and paused and looked at his watch.
Quarter to fve," he muttered. "No,
I'll not go home. l feel like runa-
way boy. III stroll down to the lake.
don't believe I've really seen the lake
in dozen years"
He walked at a leisurely gait,
breathing in the tonicky air and ever
and anon turning his gaze on the sun
tinted clouds. His eyes were bright
er and his step more elastic. Labor
ing men, swinging their dinner boxes,
looked around as they passed him. His
was an unusual figure at that early
hour. Once he heard a man repeat his
name to his companions and they all
stared euriously at him as they
passed.
AS he came within sight of the lakes
blue ripples 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 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 quick
ened his steps little.
You are an early riser" he sail to
the girl. At the moment he was in
4erested in early risers.
"Yes, sir" said the girl, who showed
no surprise at his abrupt remark. 81
have to carry my fathers breakfast
to him. He is a help at the mills over
there" She pointed to long row of
dingy buildings not far ahead.
She spoke we'll and with a lack Of
fonstraint that the old man admired.
why doesn't your father come home
10 his breakfast" he asked.
HE goes to work at midnight and
quits at noon," she answered.
"And how far do you Gomez"
"About mile and half"
She gave him little nod and turned
her few steps. Amos watched her
for a moment as she sturdily stepped
forward
"a good little woman and her father
should be proud of her. | hope he is. 3"
He sighed softly, as he plodded on.
He enjoyed the lake, with it's dim
ply surface and the swash of the lit
tie waves as they struck the piling,
and the black banner of smoke trail
ing after far-away steamer. Pres
emily 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 boards and close beside heI
sat a 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
him. Amos Brandon paused at the pic
ture. 1t pleased him. He nodded
smilingly to the girl, who nodded back
and when the swarthy man looked ul
he nodded to him, too. Amos Leaned
against a pile of lumber.
''Your load will be lighter on tn
way back" he said to the girl.
Eyes" she answered, father Away
has a good appetite"
The swarthy man looked up. H
nodded gravely to Amos.
She's good girl" he said slowly
"Come long way"