Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1901-04-12

the boy thought. But he was WILLING
TO forgive the qucstioner, when the
latter put stout leather purse into
| his hand.
"Stammering out his thanks as best
he could, the boy turned away; but
not in time to prevent his hearing
the gentleman remark to the bystand-
ers; He is only n washerwoman's
SON.
"'Only washerwoman's sonl What
did the gentleman meanY thought the
lad, as he retired to a remote corner
of the wharf, where he sat musing,
with his feet in the water and his
newly acquired wealth hugged up in
his hand"
"Ibrahm, who was the lad? Please
tell me-"
stern and hard, motioned Lillian to
keep silent and continued
after long meditation, the boy
took his fortune, apples and all, and
went home. He showed the money
to his mother, and told her how he
had gotten it; but he did not tell her
he had learned that he was only q
washerwoman' SON.
"The next morning that boy went
out into the world with peddler's
pack. His mother, a Jewess, helped
him to select his vocation and his
goods. At 16 he set sail for Australia,
with his mother for companion"
As Ibrahim proceeded with his story
his countenance grew gradually more
stormy; but, save for an occasional
sarcasm, there was no hint of It in
his voice or language. fearful dread
was pictured in the countenances of
his hearers. After a pause, he contin
ued
"There is no need to recount the
boys struggles. Success unhoped for
crowned his efforts, and he is now one
of the wealthiest men in either Mel
bourne or New York, in both of which
places he has large interests. When
that lad, now man, came back to
New York it was with purpose. For
this reason he prepared to take and
to keep the place in social life to which
his wealth assigned him. This was
not difficult. for to his Jewish blood
was added that of a sociable, bright
witted Irishman, who had bequeathed
to his son only these qualities.
"You will understand that it took
this man but a short time to discover
the parents of the child he had saved
at the Brooklyn ferry, when / tell you
that he still had the old pocketbook
and the card it contained in his pos
session. He found the little girl, now
grown into beautiful and accom-
plished woman, and Immediately set
himself to win her love; not for her
beauty, not for her wealth, not for her
venge. Now, Lillian, / am ready to
answer your question, and to tell you
that that lad was Ibrahim, and that
you were the little girl"
The speaker paused. Anguish was
written upon the faces of the Ingrams.
Lillian uttered no word. She contin-
ued in the same stony posture, and
stared in the same stony stare. Ibra-
him looked anXiously in her direction.
Seeming to be satisfied on her ac-
count, he drew from his pocket two
purses, one old and dingy, the other
new and shining. Stepping to the side
of Mr.. Ingram, he said:
"Mr. Ingram, here is your money,
hundredfold, and in a new purse.
The old one l shall retain because
my VOW was laid upon it. That VOW
is paid, and the 'washerwoman's SON
is now your equal"
Ibrahim took his place aside, and
regarded the family whose various
members sat like persons under some
hidden spell. By degrees the anger
and bitterness died out of his face,
and the sunny smile that he had in
herited from his Irish father came to
take its place.
That smile seemed to bring life back
to Lillian's frame. She rose with the
dazed air of one coming out of trou-
bled sleep. With swift strides Ibrah;m
came to her side; but he did not touch
her outstretched hands.
Lillian" he said, sit has been a
cruel torture, but had vowed to do
it, and / never broke a VOW. / vowed
in spite to win your love, and i have
done it. Fortunately for me, my VOW
went no farther, and the beauty and
goodness of the woman that has
grown out of that little girl 1 saved
have won my heart"
She put out her hands again, and he
took them as he resumed:
MY love, are you willing to become
a washerwoman's daughter, and to
have that woman in your home?"
On sunny st. Valentines morning,
when the frost-gems jeweled all out
of-doors, Ibrahim welded the woman
he had won from spite, and the "wash-
erwoman" took her new daughter in
her arms and class and wealth were
alike observation-disclosures Review.
Knew Him Inv His nn.ISs