Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1851-05-09
OTTUMWA, IOWA, MAY 8, 1851.

- : J
! wonder. He didn't speak right. Bu
you know how he prides himself on be
ing good farmer" . .r
81 know--I know. I can excuse
him."
But you are going off home sooner
than you would have gone, If this hadn'
happened. , .,.
perhaps am child; but no matter
I'm not angry with Peter, and would dc
as much for him as if thus hadn't lap.
pened." "Ah,' said she, "UncIe Ben il
you could help him li.tle!"-Her voice
trembled.--"He works very hard ant
tries TO get along. Blu, it's SO dscoura-
ging to be always under pressure-tc
see no light ahead"
Hannah's feelings overcame her. and
she leaned her face upon Uncle Ben's
shoulder and sobbed violently. dom
take on so, child DON'T" said the old
man in a tender, encouraging voice. -
"Hope for the best. The darkest hour
you know, is just before aybreak.
won't forget Peter. Perhaps l can help
him. I'll 60 home and think about it,
"He's very kind to us all Uncle,' sob.
bed Hannah. "And can't hear to see
him so troubled . .H arF ".".'" nf'
"If he were not quite so set in his
ways, replied Uncle Ben. "If he were
only little more ready TO learn, il
would be great deal better for all of
you Il know he's stiff about some
things Uncle; but then he means well.
No doubt of that, Hannah. But no
matter how good mans intentions are,
they will not help him much unless gui-
ded by well enlightened Judgment
i And there lies Peters defect. But l
will see what can be done.' #ta af.
This was enough to inspire Hannah
with hope. After he had departed. she
meditaied on what he had said, aud her
heart took courage. Uncle was in good
circumstances. and fully able to help
them if he would. A few hundred dol
lars might be spared. And how much
good few hundred dollars would do
them! Her hopes were soon whisper
ed in the ear of Peter. At first he said
il was all nonsense to think of anything
from Uncle Ben, and called him an old
miser. Still hope did find lurking
place in his heart. Before The day clo-
sed Peter several times caught himself
nusing on the vague promise Of the old
gentleman, and even making some cal
culations thereon. Since the mortgage
of his farm he had experienced press
ure on his feelings that robbed him Of
all true peace of mind. Before, he seem
ed at leas,to be standing still if not pro-
crossing. Now, the first downward step
having been taken, final ruin seemed in
eviable. A man who feels himself
sinking is ready TO catch at any thing lha,
promises 10 bear him above the surface
The act is instructive, rather than from
determination Of the will. Thus il was
with Peter; he felt that he was in deep
water, and caught at the first straw
which floated near him. |, was in vain
that he reasoned against this hope, and
sought to turn from it. Its power over
him was not in the least abated by the
struggle against il. At length Peter
ceased TO struggle for arguments against
the probabilities involved in Hannah's
suggestion, and TO let his mind rest pleas
anlly on the certainty Of receiving SUBJ
staniial aid from Uncle Ben. Regret for
his unhandsome treatment of the old
gentleman came with this state, mingled
with fear lest he had in the unreasona-
bleness of his anger, done himself and
family serious injury. a
Il shouldn't wonder If we heard from
Uncle Ben tomorrow. said Hannah, on
New Years eve, as they sat talking o.
yer their future prospects.
Peter shook his head doubtingly, al.
though the expectation of communica-
lion from Uncle Ben was prominent in
his mind as in that Of Hannah.
| Soon after breakfast, on New Years
day, Peter walked over to the post-ofice.
On his way, spite of all he could do, his
thoughts would run on the probable ex-
tent Of aid to be received from Uncle
Ben. The mortgage on the farm was
$4OO. .'If he would let us have enough
10 pay that Off" .s se
He checked himself in the midst OF a
half uttered sentence, and called himself
a fool for indulging such vain and i'm
probable fancies. "Anything for me to
dayf"asked Peter on arriving at the Of
fee. He almost held his breath with
suppense. }si s'i5 y
i "Here's newspaper for you," re-
piled the post master. .No ietter!'
said Peter, while his heart sunk heavily.
t"None." 8 m
/ "Are you sure! Won't you look a.
gain!" th sH4 <h8'A 1h "
Another search was made. The post.
master shook his head. "How much is
10 pay on ihis!'' asked Peter. "Noth-
| ing: the postage is paid" a8g .,..r
| Poor Peter Miller. whose feelings had
undergone sudden and painful revul-
sion, returned slowly homeward. "Have
you been to the posl-ofiice!' asked Han.
nah. "Yes." ~ ,ss a.,s s..
4 The gloom on Peters countenance
fell like a shadow on her heart. There
! was no need of further question. Han.
Il r. n. Al