The Illinois free trader and LaSalle County commercial advertiser. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1841-1843, 1843-09-22

Dana did not think this proceeded IRON
a niggardy disposition, and ne determin-
ed to breach the subject, and, if possible,
ascertain the real cause-this he did in the
manner we have related.
Soon after this conversation took place,
Mr.. Dana left home on business. AS he
was returning, and riding through beau
tiful village, he alighted at the door of a
cottage, and requested drink. The
mistress, with an ease and politeness that
convinced him that she had not always
been the humble coltager, invited him to
walk in. He accepted her invitation !;
and here a scene of poverty and neatness
presented itself, such as he had never be-
fore witnessed. The furniture, which
consisted of no more than what was abso-
lutely necessary, was so exqulsllely clean
that it gave charmes to poverty. and cast
an air of comfort all around A venera-
bic looking old man, who had not seemed
to notice the entrance of Mr.. Dana, sat
leaning on his staff his clothes were
clean and whole, but SO patched that you
could have scarcely told which had been
the original piece.
That is your father, presume ? said
Mr.. Dana, addressing the lady.
1T is sir
lie seems 10 be quite aged
lie is in his eighly-third year-he has
survived all his children except myself
You have once seen better days
Il have. My husband was wealthy,
but false friends have ruined him he en-
dorsed notes to a great amount, which
stripped us Of nearly all our property,
and one misfortune followed another, I'M
til we were reduced to poverty. My
husband did not long survive his losses,
and two Of my children soon followed
him.
Have you any remaining children .
\ have one, and he is my only support.
My health is so feeble | cannot do much,
and my father, being blind, needs great
attention. My son conceals from me the
amount of his salary but am convinced
he sends me nearly all, if not the whole
amount of it,
Then he is not at home with your
No, sir, he is clerk for wealthy mer-
chant in Philadelphia
Pray wha, is your sons name p
Henry Whitman
Henry Whitman = exclaimed Mr.. Da-
nativity he is my clerk left him at
my house not fortnight since
Here followed succession of inquiries
which evnced an anxiety and solicit
tude that mother alone can feel-to all
of which Dana replied to her satisiac-
ton.
You know our Henry 2 said the old
man raising his head from his staff I;
well, sir, than you know as worthy a
lad as ever lived God bless him. He
will bless him for his goodness 10 his poor
old grandfather he added in tremuous
voice, while the tears chased each other
down his cheeks.
He is worthy fellow, to be sure,
said Mr.. Dana rising and placing a well
filed purse in the hands of the old man.
He is worthy young man, and shall
not want friends, be assured
He left the cottage.
Noble boy said he mentally, as he
was riding leisurely along, Illuminating on
his interview noble boy, he shall no,
want wealth to enable him to distribute
happiness. believe he loves my daugh-
ter, and if he does he shall have her, and
all my property in the bargain.
Filled with his project, and determined,
if possible. to ascertain the true state OF
their hearts, he entered the breakfast room
next morning after his arrival home. Ca.
rolina was alone.
80 Henry is about to leave US to 60 tc
England and try his fortune he earnest
ly observed.
Henry about to leave us y said Caro-.
line, dropping the work she had in heI
hand, about to leave us, TO go TO England!
SilC duucu, VI tOuC tils
deepest interest.
ITO be sure; but what if he is my
child 2
Nothing, sir, nothing-only though
we should be rather lonesome she repli
ed, turning away to hide the tears sh'
could not suppress.
TELL me, Caroline said Mr.. Dana
,enderly embracing her, tell me--d'
you no, love Henry! You know wisi
your happiness, my child. | have eve
treated you with kindness, and you hav,
never until now, kept any thing hid from
your father
Neither will now she replied, hi
J ding her face in his bosom. Il do mos
: sincerely esteem him, but do not FOR III
world tell him so, for he has never sal
, IL was returned