The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-06-08
BY A. EDNA MALONE

|
girl and she looked imporingly at Mr..
| Spencer.
Mildred" Mr.. Spencer spoke very
slowly and gently, Mildred, your
fathers pardon would be freely grant
ed you, were he conscious so you might
ask for it. I only hope that you may
! be forgiven before he goes. Ask
Gods help and blessing and then wait
, for "a moment when he may forgive
| his wilful, wayward daughter"
"Ill watch for that moment while
there is one spark of life in his body
and with firm step, Mildred Akerson
walked into the room where her dying
| father lay. For short time she
gazed at the mangled form and pale
white face. Then she gently stroked
| his forehead.
Can any one here, tell me how this
| happened? she asked, at length.
Yes. Miss Akerson. l can tell YOU
was near your father when the ac-
| cident occurred" The speaker was a
| plain looking man with miners lamp
fastened to his cap.
"Oh, please tell me-"
This afternoon we were working in
one of the meanest places in all the
| his doubts as to the safety of our
| lives. But" he added in his cheerful
way. let us hope we are safe for you
| know there is our babies to care for
and we are needed so much at home
that we can't hardly be spared
I'VE had worked on for perhaps fif-
| teen minutes. when Jack Anderson
turned to speak to your father. AS he
1,o 4 ,l,,, RI
we saw heavy rock fall on poor Har-
| ris. We sprang to his assistance and
| called for other help.
"In a short time we had the rock
| removed. but beneath it lay, crushed,
bleeding. moaning and unconscious the
best man and the best miner in our
| mines.
I'VE carried him out and brought
him home, as soon as possible, but I
| am afraid his journey has tired him
very much. but perhaps he will be
| better in the morning.
He won't never be no better"
| sobbed Harold who was standing at
| the foot of the bed.
"Oh, wa hope he will be SOON! said
| the miner.
do not deceive my children" Mrs.
Akerson said, "the doctor thinks it is
best that they should know he cannot
! live but a short while"
But" she continued ''it is Gods
will and we must be reconcled to it,"
During that long night while all was
still and no one awake save the anXi-
Gus watchers at the bedside, Mlly de-
| spite the efforts made by the physi-
clan. the minister and her mother to
get her to retire, sat by the side Of
the father whom she had so wronged.
How she hoped and prayed that she
rmight receive pardon. They promised
| to call her If he became conscious, if
she would only lie down and rest.
| Il could not rest if l do lie down,
| SO what is the use." she would say
| over and over to them. II must re-
| ceive his forgiveness before he goes"
Perhaps you wonder, dear reader, in
what way this poor girl had disobeyed
her father.
About ten months before the time of
| our story, some of the young people of
the town had given masquerade ball
Milly had been invited to go, but as
Mr.. Akerson disapproved. not only of
the ball but also of the company it led
one into, he refused to let her go.
The ball was to be on Tuesday even
ing. and Mr.. Akerson left for his work
on Monday morning sincerely trusting
that Milly would not go.
When Tuesday evening came, Milly
prepared to attend.
Mildred" said her mother. "you re-
member your father said you should
not CO."
'Papa's an old-fashioned crank, and
I'm going was the retort.
Mrs. Akerson argued, but in vain.
Mildred scclded and coaxed, till she
won the day, and went to the ball.
When Mr.. Akerson came home on
Saturday evening, he asked if Mildred
had obeyed
NO, sir" she said. defiantly. Your
too slow. papa; did not have to stay
at home"
Melissa" said Mr.. Akcrson, ad-
dressing his wife. you knew Milly
was not TO go to that place: you knew
that | was not only opposed to a mas
nuerade, but | am also bitterly op-
posed to some of the young people who
attended this, so why did you let her
go?"
Because, she scolded and coaxed till
| couldn't help it,
Mr., Akersor was never cruel. When
he was compelled to chastise her he
did it as gently as possible.
Truth always hurts. and Mildred,
with a naturally hasty temper. told
him she didn't have to speak to him,
and she wouldn't.
You need not speak to me if you do
rot wish, but remember, | am not like
some fathers ! do not turn you from
your home; remember, | am not like
tyrant, who rules with an iron hand.
| only ask that my children shall re-
spect me and obey my commands as
lcrg as those commands are reason
able; remember, | am your father and
you are my daughter, and that my
home Is your home until you leave II
for better one, AS soon as YOU ara
ready tn speak You may do so, but YOU
must ask my pardon for the way you
have acted"
The sad tone used by her father
touched the heart of the girl, but she
remained firm i'm her determination not
tn speak to him. As time rolled on,
father and daughter saw less of each
ether. Mildred was never heard to
speak his name and she avoided him
as much as possible, while he, on the
contrary, often asked her mother about
her. Alas! now, when it is too late she
sees her folly, and prays that he may
be himself long enough to forgive her.
Sunday morning dawns bright and
beautiful, but the happiness of the
Akerson home seems to be gone. All
day Milly watches and prays. In the
evening, as the church bells are peal
ing out their sweet music, Harris
ALerSnn with l,a ,;,l