The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-08-31
take them home and post them with great


books 60 from my sight. 1t will take you
but few evenings to do the whole; and
besides. you will need some assistance in
deciphering the various accounts, for some
of the entries have made and some Of
them were made by Leila
Il could wish that the labor might be
done here, sir, said Robert, in hesitat
ing, nervous manner. while strange com.
motion swept over his countenance.
Done here! sir!' said the old gentleman
in surprise. Il do not understand you.
You found no fault when you labored at
my house before. What have you found
now in the shape of an objecton?'
DO not question me. sir. but pray grant
me the favor have asked. Let me do
the writing here
'Ths is a strange whim, Robert. No
sir, if you will not DO the work at my house
must strain my old eyes to do it myself
'Mr. Veasie, you misun derstand me.
indeed you do said Robert, in a painful
tone of voice.
That can hardly be- returned the old
man, with quiet smile, since have no
clue to any understanding at all. But,
really, should be under obligations TO
you if you would inform me of the cause
of this curious act
For two minutes the young man sat
with his eyes bent to the floor. But al
length he gazed up into the face of his
employer, and getting down from his stool,
while his eyes glistened with moisture, and
his lip quivered, he said:
'Mr. VeaZie, you have ever been kind
| and considerate towards me, and | will
not now break the strict frankness and in
tegriiy which have thus far marked all my
dealings with you. | trust you will not
blame me. nor think me presumptuous. |
did work for you at your own private dwell
ling and you called your daug ghter to help
me. Together Leila and myself examin
ed notes, and then We conversed. Ere
long began to be anxious for the evening
to come, that might be again at her side;
and when she came with her joyous smile.
her happy look and her sweet welcome,
began TO count the flying moments as
sands Of gold. | almost prayed that my
work might never have an end, so that she
might ever be my companion in its pro.
close, l felt sad and lonely. Then it was.
that my heart awoke to knowledge Of its
situation. had begun to love the gentle
being who had thus been my unsought
companion; | loved her. and her image
was on my heart. cannot deceive my
self, sir, nor will prove unkind or ungen-
erous to you. No man can govern the
strong emotions of the heart, though he
may, if wise, guard against the cause o
these emotions, Mr.. Veazie. | dare not
subject myself to love that is hopeless;
for. poor as am, my heart is as suscepti.
BILE of deep and abiding love as those Of
others. Now you know ALL
You are honest, at all events said the
old gentleman, without any apparent emo
ton.
so trust may always be- returned
Robert.
"But do you think you are very wise?"
81 could not help my emotions
"And if they were as pleasant as you
have described, see no reason why you
should have wished such thing as pre-
venting Them"
Robert looked up into the face of the old
gentleman, but he made no answer. lie
could not comprehend his employers
meaning.
"Robert," continued the old gentleman,
sit is Leila who wishes you to come and
hel her arrange my household accounts.
Would you refuse her too?"
Robert Winslow trembled from head to
foot He gazed into the face OF his en-
ployer, and he thought he could detect a
kind, meaning smile there. He attempted
TO speak, but could not.
Come, come," uttered Veazie, "let US
not beat round the bush any longer. am
not blind, and consequently failed not to
see some things that spoke louder than
words. took note ofthe gentle love god
that danced in your eyes, and read the
language that came up from your heart,
and stood in living characters upon your
varying countenance. DO you suppose
should have been utterly regardless of both
you and my own child's welfare as to have
allowed you to cherish the flowers of al
fection only that | might blight them at
their birth? Leila is faithful, gentle.
and loving girl; and if you love her truly.
you may confess TO her your enormous sin
OF love-"
s.Mr. Veazie,' said Robert. 81 cannot
comprehend-I do not. No, you would
not raise such sweet and heavenly hope
in my bosom to crush it again.
"'Hark ye, Robert" said the old gentle.
man. as he took his clerk by the hand;
'.had desired TO have seen my child we'd
ded to a heartless bag of gold, | had the
chance this very afternoon. The man who
came here to ask me for the hand Of my
child, though he has fifteen thousand dol
lars worth of gold, is yet stepped to the
very dregs in poverty. He has no heart
have watched your course for the last five
years; and a week ago, when you refused
a considerable amount OF money, which
you much needed. rather than that your
mother should suffer single nights un-
easiness on your account, you proved
yourselfto be possessed Of mine of wealth
which no legacy could have brought you,
and which never could have been poured
into your life Golfers by speculation. Mr..
Durham brought me your answer; and
when | heard it, resolved within myself
that the son and brother who could so love
and honor his mother and sister, could not
fail of making most excellent husband.
Nnw M and tall all IN 7 .olia. and If she aC.