Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1841-11-06


the chaster elegancies of life, was made
quate to the support of prodigaity.
He now stood on the verge of ruin. and
those who had shared his substance looked
codIy and careessly on his wreck. while
the unhappy Courtney, driven to madness,
could scarcely believe the perfdy Of the
world he had implicitly trusted.
The family seat was to be publicly sold.
and the fearful day arrived. While it was
vet under the hammer, a new bidder ap-
peared, apparently from a distance; his
horse dripped with sweat, and his counten-
ancc was pale and agitatcd. The property,
as usual in such cases, was gonig at half its
value, and the stranger bid it of. Mr.
Courtney was still the occupant, and the
new proprietor waited on him immediately
Isabel had that moment left her father for
some domestic call, and the unfortunate
man was musing on their impending expul-
sion from their residence, when Alvah
Hamilton stood suddenly before him.
Welcome, most welcome to my heart
dearest Alvah,' he exclaimed; i can no lon
ger welcome you to my home. You have
come to witness my removal from all that
was once mine. am now here only on
sufierance. Tomorrow | may have no
shelter for my head
Not So cried Alvah; you have yet a
shelter; your present home is still yours, and
no earthly power can expel you from it.
What mean your said the astonished
! Courtney.
! Fourteen years since he replied, you
presented my father sum that preserved
him from want, and secured my subsequent
wealth. He received it but as 4 loan and
that debt has devoIved on me. True, you
have disclaimed it; but it was yet uncan-
Ceed. Reluctant to offend YOU | delayed
its discharge-thOugh the amount was long
since appropriated, in my imagination. tor
that purpose. II las not. however lain idle
The profits of the house in which | some
years ago became 4 partner, have become
considerable. Your little capital has ac'
uured its share. and its amount has this day
redeemed your forfeited estate. By mere
accident. had seen it advertised, and LOST
no time, in hasting hither. and now he adj
dcd. taking the hand Of Mr.. Courtney witt
smile, will you not welcome your AIvat
to your home! 1t is not long since YOU
gave me check on your friendship have
come to claim it: and surely you cannot NJ
longer refuse the title of my benetactor
when from your bounty derived not onI.
wealth, but the unuttcrablc pleasure Of thi
moment
Mr.. Courtney wcpt The thoushtIcs
man of the world wept at the sacred ri
umph of virtue. Alvah himself was over
come by the scene. and paced the floor il
silence. A portrait of Isabel hung direct,
opposite him. and it now caught his eye
Starting back in amazemcnt he gazed at i
az a lovely phantom. 1t looked, indeed
like thing Of life. The blue eye seemed L
beam with expression through its lon!
dark lashes, and there was surely breath OF
the deep red lip. Just so the auburn hal
was parted on her white forehead when h,
last saw her. Just so its shining ring!et
, straved over her snowy neck.
Tell me. he al length exclaimed, turnin
to Mr.. Courtney, who is the original of thl
picture
Surprised at the agitation Of his manner
Mr.. Courtney repled-'lIave YOU neve
seen herr
Seen her! Oh yes: her image has lon
been engraven on my heart; but OF he
name | am yet ignorant
Her name is Courtney said the astonisi
ed father. She is my only child
Gracious IIcaven' cried Alvah, 'wha
new excitement awaits me-
May | ask the cause of this emotion
Alvah! How, or in what manner have 70
known nv beloved lsabeln
Ayah gave a wild and passionate de;
cription of their early and limited acquar
lance, and the long concealed attachmer
of his daughter, was at once revealed to Nj
Courtney.
Tell me- said he, taking the throbbin
hand of his friend tell me. Alvah, in sacre
faith, if this imperfect knowledge of m
child has awakened q sentiment Of tcnGc
ness
Alvah flung himself into his arms.
All, sir, have not cherished her meme
~ thro' the long season of utter hopeless
ness--has not my spirit turned from all I'll
aIlurcmcnts of the world, to commune vii
the recollection OF her virtues
Mr.. Courtney left the room in silence an
, returned with the trembling Isabel.
, You are worthy of each other said h
and joining their hands, he invoked Il
blessings Of Heaven on the dearest object
his heart. lie then lett them TO pour o,
his gratitude to Him who had thus redeem
the ever lasting promise, Cast thy brea
upon the waters, and thou shalt find it aft
many days"
~