The National tribune., 1901-11-07

Yes. fathcr'
Il feel SO strange, Gcorgiana; sit by
me a little while. Does it seem long to
you, Georgiana, since your mother ana
the bows went away: l thought they
were here lust before l called you, and
then. some way, | got to trembling. DO
YOU mind sitting up Il little while, Geor-
giana:"
NO. father; I'm not sleepy" .,,
Does it rain, GeOrgiana, rain hard!
Yes, father.
Poor fellows, a bad night for them,
out raising his voice eXcitedly, theirs
is a just cause
Then queter, but trembling again, "lf
Robert nau nved, he would have been
among them. You would have been proud
OF q brother in SO good cause, Geor-
giana''
YES, father; but try to sleep noyH-'
Neither was this all. GeorgiGna now
became aware that her fathers business
affairs were in a hopeless tangle, and,
too late, she found he had had moments
of forgetfulness, in which he had become
an easy prey to the unScrupulOuS-not the
INSCRIPTIONS sharper, but the poor or ig-
norant, who pleaded for their own, con-
scious that Mr.. Goodspeed was rich and
they were poor.
Already half or more of his little houses
were occupied by the families of men IN
the field, while the landlord had TO pay
taxes and keep up repairs, repairs which
they were persistent in demanding. The re-
manning houses were occupied mostly by
Door people, who, owing to the high prices,
found paying rent hard, especially when
by going TO the landlord with few
groanS, signs or even tears, if necessary,
could liQuidate q whole months rent
But Georgiana fought her battles brave
ly, nursed her father with untiring deyo-
ton, and was ready at every beck and
call of the more helpless villagers, and
if occasionally a small piece of property
had to be sold for taxes she grimiy bore
1t. and kept the knowledge from her
father. She might lose much in that way,
but she must have her fathers cup of
coffee made strong, as he always had
it, and coffee was go cents a pound.
Thus the Autumn and weary Winter
wore away.
How much of Georgiana's strength,
hope and courage was due to the almost
weekly letters of Joseph Linden no one,
not even herself, might know.
As the sunny days of April came, Ian
guidly, it seemed Mr.. GOodspeed grew
better.
.This is about the middle of the month";
is it not, Georgiana: 1t ought to be warm
enough for me TO walk out a little"
The 18th, father; just the middle. Do
you feel well enough to walk to the sta
tion for the paper? If you do, l will
have dinner ready when you get back.
sSaIu CdIlle uOllle ldSl ulSHL quIlC
sick, L hear. L must run down and see
linn few minutes this afternoon"
Poor Martha; her boys were not much
good as citizens, but they made good sol
diers, / heard. If Sam dies, GeOrgiana,
we must do something for Martha"
Yes, father: Here is your coat. Do
not walk fast"
He went away cheerfully, and was back
before she was quite ready.
She saw him through the open door
as he seated himself in his easy-chair. A
sudden feeling Of gladness come over her;
the day was so bright and warm, he was
so much better, and the war was almost
over. Already the great Homecoming be-
gan TO appear thing of reality.
Suddenly an exclamation from her
father, and she hurried to his side. His
face was working piteously, and the tears
streaming down his checks.
oh, GeorGIana, Georglana, they have
killed him. How could they, how could
theyT'
Him: There was but one him, and
never until this moment did GeOrgiana
know that her heart had gone out wholly
and completely TO this hero Of her own
making, the ideal of her own fancy. She
stood as if frozen to the spot. Her face
white, and her breath seeming 10 stop.
For q moment they looked into each 9TH
er's faces, the old father and the fair
young daughter.
Read it, GeOrgiana; l cannot see"
lie grOaned as he leaned back wearily
in his chair.
She took the paper he put in her hand.
At first, great. black blotches seemed 10
float between her and the paper Then
as they cleared a little she read:
Assassination of President Lincoln last
night at Ford's Theater"
Then little by little. as she could, she
read il all-all there was TO read.
The dainty dish with which to tempt
her fathers appetite shriyeled and dried
over the dying fire; the coffee grew cold,
and the big Maltese cat, weary of wait
ing beside the masters chair had helped
himself 10 what he could find. and had
gone away, and still they sat sorrowfully
discussing the great tragedy.
A barefOOted, white-headed boy put his
head in at the open door
Say, Sam Goodrich is dead an Mis-
Goodrich wants to know if Georgiana
KANT come over"
She went, but came back almost i'm
mediately, for her father seemed to lose
10 that one hour ali he had gained in
weeks. He was feverish and restless all
night, and kept his bed for several days
The funeral train OF the murdered
President was to pass through their vii.
Iage on its way TO his old home, the
prairies Of Illinois, and Mr.. GOodspeed
despite Georgiana's protests, would go t.
the station.
he wore his best suit of black and
stood with uncovered head, as did all thai
sorrowing throng.
As the funeral car, with its sable trim
mings, moved slowly through, strong mer
wept silently, but old Mr. Goodspeet
sobbed nervously, and leaned heavily OF
Georgiana's arm.
why could not / have been taken
Georgiana, and he left; his country needed
him, / am old and useless
She tried % comfort him nd laod bi,,
home, but his limbs had lost their power
carriage was hastily provided. an,
neighbors carried him to his bed. Da,
and night GeOrgiana stood over him.
''She is u born nurse" the neighbor
whispered, as they stood, helpless. bu
sorrowful and sympathetic; for TO them
even more than GeOrgiana, the truth wa
apparent; the old mans days were mum
bered
He at times, realizing his nearness I
death, tried to comfort her and rccoucil
her TO his going
Joseph Linden is good lad, / tax
II, Georglana; greet him kindly when h
comes. Tell him / would like to hay
seen him. He will take care of yoI
Georgiana, when / am gone"
He had lain motiOnless for some tim,
and Georgiana anXiously bent over hin
Then he opened his eyes, looking at he
in a dazed way.
Read it again, Georgiana"
She knew what he meant for again an
again she had read to him the closin
words of Bishop Simpsons funeral orr
ton for the dead President
Read louder, Georgiana; l cannC
hear"
H.. ,-o;,.o ,,.o, L. Iai.l l. II l..