Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1854-08-30
piled. 81 must work as well as you


enough to be married. To support me you
would be obliged to toll from morning till
night.''
.sNonsense, Alice, we have sufficient to COM
mence with, and as for the toll, it would be
plcasule.''
Harry at last over-ruled her objections, and
a few days after the ties of home had been
sundercd, she was bound in stronger ties
united in marriage to Harry Edwards.
The months flew away and winter came
One evening, shortly before Harry had ended
his daily toll, his employer sent message
stating he wished to have an interview with
him in the counting room. Harry obeyed the
summons. Mr.. Goodman, his employer, was
sitting in an easy-chair before a cheerful fire,
pcrsuing the evening paper when he entered.
ssAh. good evening, good evening, Mr.. Ed
wards.'' said the old gentleman, shaking Har
~ cordially by the hand. He was one of those
Jolly, good soulcd men, who are the salt and
SAVIOR of the earth.
swell, Harry, understand you are married
very good. heard how that event took place
very good--two noble souls. You have won
prize. Your wages cannot support YOU de-
Gently, and L cannot increase them; but I'll
tell you what I'll do-listen: My business has
increased of late to such an extent, that find
1 shall be obliged to have partner. You,
know to be an cnterprising, intelligent young
man, and I think understand the business; well,
what now propose is to give you share in
the concentrate you i'll as partner. No
thanks-not a word-good night
Harry understood his eccentrcitieS and bade
him good night with heart overiowing with
gratitude. 1t was an unexpected and joyful
event. Harry Immediately entered upon his
duties and gave satisfaction to Mr.. Goodman
The business was profitable. lie was prudent
and economical, and Alice was of a similar
disposition. Their wealth increased. a dis
tant relative of Alice bequeathed her a hand
some fortune; forgetting the unnatural treat
ment of her parents towards her, she gener-
ously bestowed half upon them and likewise
dowery upon Arabella, whose sscavalier'' had
ssgone TO the wars one fine summers day,
when he found that Mr.. Bantem had dipped
into several bad speculatons so deeply that he
only extricated himself by sacrificing his en-
tire property.
Time rolled away. Harry's benefactor paid
the debt of natures and the whole ofthe busi-
ness came into his hands. He prospered, and
was a wealthy man ere he had arrived at the
prime of life. At length sShard times" came;
one loss succeeded another. note became
due, one of large amount; the most he could
raise fell short of thousand dollars of the re-
quired sum. lie returned home gloomy and
detected, for ruin stared him in the face; but
he could not break the news to Alice.
She was in her boudoir when he returned
home, but he determined to appear before her
as was his wont, but when he thought of her
being oblidged TO descend once more to power
ty his heart failed him, and he fingered before
the door with feelings bordering upon distrac-
ton. For moment the awful thought of self
destruction flashed through his mind, but
quickly he banished the horrid thought. At
that moment his good angel whispered in his
car the favorite expression of Alice when dan
ger and difficulties were around her-'FA dark
cloud has silyery lining" 1t nerved him,
and he gently opened the door.
Alice sat in a luxuriantly cushioned arm
chair, deeply intent with the pages of a book.
The crimson and golden sunlight shining
through the parted riffs of black clouds hang
ing in the west streamed into that luxurious
boudoir through the rich and heavy drapery,
looped gracefully to either side of the window.
Falling upon a carpet SO thick and soft that
the lightest footstep would sink deep among
the figures of the richly tinted tropic flowers
so curiously woven into the woof, it crept
4 ulaJ {f,t H(,th har
foot. She notice that ray of sunlight, and
raising her eyes saw that black and threaten
ing cloud looming up in the west. ssHow
black-what gloomy pail over the golden
west,'' she ANONYMOUSLY said aloud.
No music fell sweeter upon Harry's ears than
did that simple exclamation. He was instantly
by her side and pressed her lovingly to his be-
som. There was still cloud resting upon his
brow that the caress of his wife did not dispel.
She noticed it, and anxiously inquired the
! cause.
| .sIfvou have any sorrow, let me share it
with you,'' said she.
| After considerable reluctance, he informed
| her of his embarrassments.
! ssWhat sum do you wish to raise ?'' she in
quired.
| ga thousand dollars was the answer.
ssThat all ?'' she said, smiling, as she rose
and left the room. She returned in moment,
and placing roll in his hands, flung her arms
around his neck. With trembling hand he
unrolled the package, and to his unbounded
! JOY, found the bills to the amount of thous-
and dollars. ~
seAlice you are an angei!'' and she. was
locked in his arms. ssAlice, what fairy sent