Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1851-12-17

dressed, and looked as if he were clerk in
a store, or, it nigh, be, small store-keeper
himself. As he came back, fixed my eyes
upon his face, trying TO make out who 1t
was that bore such familiar features.
"My old friend MerwyD ~ exclaimed,
as he paused in front of where stood.
He called nv name in return and then we
graSped each others hands eagerly.
"The last man ia the world expected to
meet" said I.
"And certainly | as little expected TO meet
you," was returned. s'This is indeed plea
sure! When did you arrive and how long
do you stay in R.-?''
IL came here yesterday, and hope to re-
sumo my journey Tomorrow"
IN o. SO soon - Merwyn said still tightly
holding my hand. "Y on must stay longer"
| I'll am doubtful as to that" ! relurned-
''But is this your place of sojourn in the
world ?"
"Yes, for the present, seeing that can't
find be,,er.''
There was manly cheerfulness in the
way this was said, which could not have
believed it possible for the young man to
feel under the great change Of circumstances
lha. had taken place.
''And your lady :" felt some hesitation
even while asked This question.
"Very well, thank you!" was cheerfully
replied. "We live mile or two from town
and you must 60 ou. and spend nigh. with
us before you leave. FIorne will be de-
lighted TO see you."
"Il will be quite as pleasant for me to
NEE, her," | could but answer; yet even
while spoke felt that our meeting must
remind The wife of my friend so strongly
of The past, as TO make i! any y.hing 5u, plea
SAINT.
"How long have you lived here ?"
"About two years."
sit is almost The last place in which ] ex-
pec,ed to meet you. Wha, are you doing?"
"Mercilandizng in small way. ] had
no profession, when kind fortune knocke ed
us all on the head, and SO had to turn nv
hand TO the frs, Thing that offered, which hap
pened 10 be clerkship in a store at three
hundred and fifty dollars year. This was
boreIy enough to keep body and soul to-
gelher; yet, was thankful for so much, and
tried TO keep down murmuring spirit. Al
The end Of year, having given every sat!ss
faction 10 my employer he said TO me one
day-"Y ou have shown lar more business
capacity than ] thought you possessed, and,
! think are the very man that | wan, 10 go
west with stock goods. Can you COM
mand any capital :" IN OF dollar, fear"
was the reply. 81 am sorry for that" said
he, 'f6r want man who is able to take
an inleres, in The business. Dom. you think
YOU could raise couple of thousand dollar.
in cash :" ! shook my head doublfuly
We had a good deal Of conversation on The
subject.
"When ! wen, home, mentioned to nv
wife what Mr.. l., my employer, had
said, and we talked much about the propo-
si.lon. expressed great deal Of regret al
not being able t" furnish capital, as The Of
fer had received was plainly an advantage
Gus one, and would give me fair Start in
the world. 'Would you be willing TO go off
to the west" asked of FIorine, while we
talked over the subject. wherever you
think il best to 60, will 60 cheer(uIy,' was
her brave answer. Thus far she had borne
her change OF fortune with a kind Of hero
ism that more than anything else helped to
sustain me. We were living with nv fami-
Iy, and had one child. My father, of whose
misfortune you are aware, had Obtained The
office Of presiden, in an insurance company,
with salary OF two thousand a wear, and
this enabled him to keep his family around
him, and, though luxuries had to be given
up, his income afforded every comfort. We
had room with them, and, though my in
come was small we had all That health and
peace of mind required.
"On the day after The conversation with
my wife about The west, she me. me on com
ing home to dinner, with so happy yet
meaning smile on her face that could not
help lnquirlng what it meant. As | sa,
down by her side, she drew from her pock-
ct small roll Of bank bills, and, handing
them to me, said-'There is The capital you
want. took the money, and, unrolIiug i.
in mute surprise, counted out the sum Of
Two thousand dollars! sWhere did this
come from ? inquired. She glanced across
the room, and my eyes followed the ditec
ton hers had taken. missed something.
!. was her piano! Explain yourself, Flo
rine,' ! said. THAT is easily done,' she re-
piled, as she looked tenderly in my face. j
have sold my piano and watch, my diamond
pin, bracelet and ring, and every article of
jeweIry and bijouterie in my possession, bu.
Mis,' holding up The wedding ring, 'and
there you have the money! cannot tell
you how much ] was affected by this. Bu',
no matter. used the two thousand dollars
in the way proposed, and here am. Come
walk down to my store with me, and let us
chat liltle about old times"
] went, as invited, and found Merwyn
with small but we'll selected stock of goods
in his store, and all evidences Of thriving
business around him.