Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1848-09-29
From Pe,erson's Magazine.
Bread Upon the Water.
BY r. 6. ARTHUR.

Noon Of u sutry day in August. II had been
sent nom, with some goods TO a customer who
lived "A short distance in the country. The boz
was lightly brii', and his burden seemed almost
5evond bis strcngth-Many times he sat down
to rest iinse, On his way up the hill. Bat it
seemed a II ne wonid never reach the summit.
Each time he lifted the baskcd, it felt heavier
than before
The boy was about half way up the Hill with
his basket, when a gentleman overlook and
passed him. He had not gone on many PAGES,
when he stopped and turning round to the lad,
look d at hin for moment or two, and then
That's Il heavy load you have. Come lc,
me help you,'
y the gentleman took the basket, and car.
red 10 the top of the hill.
IT re. Do yon think Won can get along
now said he, with smile, as he set the has.
ket dog Or shall carry it a little fur her ?
o! ~. thank You, sir, returned the boy, with
a clos Of gratitude on his young face can
c ,ry il now very well and am very much
opliged to you
You are right welcome, my little man. said
nc gentleman. and passed on.
Twenty years from tina: time, careworn man,
well advanced in life, sat mo,ionless in an old
arm chair, with his eyes fixed in'ently upon the
glowing CRATE. lie was alone and appeared to
be in state of great abstraction. In a little
while, however the door Of the room opened,
and the light form Of young and lovely girl
glidcd in.
Papa, said low, sweet voice. and hand
was very gently laid on the old man, arm.
Is it you dear y he returned with sigh
Yes papa, and the young girl leaned against
him, and parted with her delicate fingers the
thin, grey locks that lay in disorder about his
forehead
] would ike to BE- lone his evorinr Flc-
renee, said the cd man. Il base ii good dna)
10 think about, and expect person on hr'' .t-.
And lie kissed her tendery; yet sighed as he
pressed his lips to hers.
TIC Girl passed rom the room as noiselessly
as she had entered The old man hal yecn calm,
before her coming in, but the moment she ret:r
b, j, he ecame auita.cd and aroused, and wa ked
the floor uneasiIy. lie continued to pace to and
fro. for Il. rly l..,. an hour. when he stopped
suddenly, and listened. The street door bell
had rung. In little while man entered the
room.
Mr.. Mason he said, with slightly percep-
tbc embarrassment.
Mr.. Page returned the old man, with fee.
bic, quickly fading smile. Good morning. aud
lie Offered his hand.
STdsItu tiic NlhH nhi'i anu
shook i. warmly. Blu. there was 10 pressure a.
return.
Sit down, Mr. Page
The man took . clair, and Mr. Mason sa.
down near him.
You promised an answer to my proposal to-
night, said the former after pause.
| GId,' returned the old man; out am As
little prepared I" give il a. was Yesterday In
fact, have not found an opportunity IL say any
i NJ /" Florence on the su. .c;.
The conntenauce of the visitor fell and some
thing like trown darkened upon his brow,
There was An embarrassing silence Of SONG
minutes. After w...... t,Ic man called Pdy",
said
Mr. Mason, have made an honor,tN pre-
pn,al for y"nr daughters nand. For weeks YOU
have eyadcd, and do >iill evade An answer
This seems 81 much likei:illny, that begin To
ieel a. ii Just cause for nf'~ce existed
None is defended d, assure yon.' replied
Mr. Mason. with something deprecaring in his
tone But you must rn,nrmb-r Mr. Page, that
You never sought To win tine Young girls ace.
tlnn, and that, AS Il cnnseonrnc, the Offer nf
IN ,rriage which You wis. To make her, viii be
received with s0rpri-c. and it may De ii-approv-
al. | wish TO approach A. On this subject, with
proper discretion. To be- too precl plt.te m,y
startIc her into instant repugnance asalns, your
wishes
Sh, loves Won, does she no. ? inquired Page
with ii m,rked significance OF manner.
y child never loved parent more ,enderly,
replied Mr. Mason.
'H,ve her, then. an uni -gnsed history Of
"0u7 ciHoarTn -s,a.o,. = ~ her how Toi.r for
tunes are trembling on the brinl OF rnln, and
that vnr have o"' one hope OF relief and safe,
lrt. The day sh, b,con's NV wife you are re-
!eved from al DANCE. VIII you do this ;!
The old In did not reply. He WAS lost ~ \
deep revere 1t is doubted whether J.. IA i.o I'd
all that the man had said,
'WiII yon do this , replied Page, and with
some impalienCo ~ ,is tong.
Mason aroused hm.el AS from trram and
answered with great tirmness aud IL -Uity.
Mr. Page, the Struggle in my mind is over.
| am prepared IL. the worst, / have n" idea that
Florence will favor your sui, and will not use
a single argument to influence her. In that
matter she must remain perfectly free. i
proach her as {. MA, and win h'r i. YOU have
IN, power TO do so. 1t is your only hope
As il -tuns by serpent, Page started iren
his chair
You i repent this, sir he angrily retort-
ed, and pent il bitterly. ! came 10 you with
Proposals for your daughters hand,
you lse' d to them, gave me encouragement,
and p-'.. sed me an answer 70 night. Now
you u 1t me with insul.!-Sr! You will re-
per MS,
b. Mason ventnred no reply, but merely
DO ID in token OF his willingness to- meet aud
bear all consequences that might come.
For Ion. time after this angry visitor had
retired. did Mr. Mason cross the llnor with meas
u,ei steps At last he rang the bell. and direct
ed the servant who came, 10 say to Florence ne