Year: 1861

but the cool-self-possession of his man.
ner made. me feel as though I. had. un-
dertaken to drive a nail and had pounded
my fingers.


[ had always been demonstrative to-
ward my children-the elder as well as
the younger. Minnie had never lost the
right to her fathers knee, nor did she
ever meet me in the morning or part
from me at night without kiss. This
was denied her now Poor child! It
was the sorest trial efall. Once or twice
she clung tearfully to me in my sternness,
and reaching up to my neck with her
white arms, tried to bend my lips to hers.
No promised her never a kiss while l
lived


Women are strange creatures. There
was my wife, who had entirely ly sympa-
thised with me as I supposed, absolutely
giving aid and comfort to our recreant
daughter. I verify believe that long
before the wedding day came she was as
thoroughly interested in the whole affair
as though Minnie had been about to
marry the best business man in town.
Little use was it for me to tighten my
purse strings, and direct that the child
should have no marriage outfit of ward
robes pillow cases, counterpanes and the
thousand and one ct ceteras to which
mothers take such pride and pleasure.


In spite of ME, but sprreptitiously,
Minnie was we'll provided for, I am sure.
l remember that the shopman's bills for
some ten months thereafter seemed un-
usually full, both in number of items
and footing Of column; and I shreWdly
suspect that my wife had arranged, with
the tradesman to have the articles scat
tered along through the months. She
was always a good fnancier The cere-
mony was performed in the church, l
was present, lest my absence should give
too great notoriety to the family jar.
Useless. The whole town having long
since been made acquainted with the
state of affairs, the brides beauty and
the BRIDE groom popularity set many
eyes on me with sparkle of criticism in
them.


''He neednt look so savage like,
rnuttered a gruf old yoeman behind me;
"there aiut likelier young fellow any
where hereabouts than Jenny Brun;
and though Minnie be purity as spink,
it's good match, [ say-a real even
bargain-so."


Long, long months went by after the
niarriage-tedious, unhappy months for
me. I knew l was being soured by this
self imposed restraint on the afectional
part of my nature Minnie came to her
old home sometimes. Once Or twice she
begged for the return Of the old love,
the old home kiss. No. My daughte,
was. happy in her husband, happy in her
new home. But I saw very plainly that
the bliss of the old home was lost to her


Nearly two years went into the past
shadowed in this manner, when little
human blossom was laid in its cradle
\ little struggling wee thing-another
Minnie Poor mel Here was another
influence to be stemmed, as boats stem
another wave and another gust. But
5raced myself; and when [ had been
forced into Minnie's chamber, stood over
the poor child with the little one on hel
arm, and heard the faint voice add te
the sweetly beseeching look, "do kiss
me father" I shook my head and Went
out.


One day a strange change came ovel
the young mother, alarming the expert
enced, and giving to the physician tina
ominous air of grave mystery which
strikes into the soul of the loving.
moved about fill 6f fear and guilty dis
tress. The symptoms became more anc
more alarming-she was sinking. wa


called to her bedside, as that of my frs


dying child. As bent over the whit
face, almost translucent with meeknes


illuminated, my eyes all undimmed b.
! illness, my Minnie gave ME the old tim
glance of love, and throwing up he
hands as if to clasp my neck. said family
but oh! so earnestly
"Kiss me, fatherl''


[ bent down to nv daughter, my frs
born, and we wept long together-th
strong father and the family breathlnl


child.


What do you think Minnie did?-
Why, she got we'll again, and in tw


months was as musical as lark, and a
gay, looking aft8r the little Minnie lik
a pretty mother as she was.


However, the ice was fairly broken
and | was the fatherly self ever after
Minnie even ventured, after time, t


make merry at my expense, over the fac
that not only was Jenny Brun the bes
of husbands, but of the we'll know
American writer's.


l think I was great fool.