Columbia gazette., 1854-05-20

and filled the air with their noisy glee
An oM dog lay at the foot Of his mis-
tress, but, ever and anon he would wal
slowly to the garden gate and look wist
fully up and down the road as if expect
ling some one, and return, disappointed
to his old position on the doorstep.
ssPoor Rover said tho lady, pattine
his massive, noble head, Che misses hi
master, dosen't he:"
The dog looked up in her face, ant
with a low whine, rubbed his heat
against the skirts of her dress. Then
drawing himself up, growing, he fixet
his eyes on the figure of o man who ap
peared at that moment at the gate.
It was no wonder Rover growlcd, fol
less prepossessingi figure was ncvc,
presented for the unbiased judgment Of
dog of spirit. Small in person as in
mind, Uriah Usance was as little calcu.
lated to win respect from strangers as
from those who knew him we'll. Stop
ping shoulders, large, ungainly head,
with massive jaws and thin compressed
lips, and a sharp nose, springing from
between two small, glittering eyes,
made the inventoryo Of his personal at
fractions.
Slowly and slouchingly walking up
the path that led from the garden-gatc to
the cottage door, Uriah Usancc took of
his hat as he approached the lady, and
bowing his bald head even lower than
his STOPPING shoulders placed it, he bado
her good morning. -
''Good morning,"Mr Usance said she
timidly," ,"Will you walk in and sit DOWN.
"Thank you; am rather tired, "said
Uriah, and he walked into the modest
little parlor Of the cottage, and sat down
on one Of the few chairs that formed al
most its only furniture.
s'Have you heard from Mr. Winklc
latcly,' he asked, fixing his keen eyes
on the lady.
"Wc-that is-the last mail didn't
bring any letter." stammcrcd Mrs. Win
kle.
"And the mail before that" asked
he, pertinaciously.
II believe We had none thcn,'' said
the lady, scarcely able to restrain her
tears.
"Mrs Winkle,' said the old man, in
the hard, dry manner peculiar to him,
"It is exceedingly unpleasant for me to
refer to it, but you probably recollect
that hold mortgage on this little
property. 1t is now some two years
since Mr.. Winkle went to California,
and not Que dollar of the interest have
l yet received. People call me hard
man, madam, but I am only just. I
will give you three months to write to
and hear from your husband. If the
back interest is not forthcoming at that
time, it will become my duty to foreclose,
and that duty, madam, I shall not shrink
FROM" Yr e
So saying, the Shylock buttoned up his
coat and prepared to leave. ri 7 7,
Zone moment, Mr.. Usance," said the
lady. "You well know that all the exer-
ton I am capable Of making is hardly
enough to support myself aud my chill
dren. I will write to Mr.. Winkle by
this mail; and tell him your offer. If
at the end OF that time We 90 not hear
from him, I am aware that we can no
longer ask that your kindness should
waive your rights
He turned to go. Was it a softer
expression that seemed to ply over his
rigid features as her last words fell upon
his ear? No; it was merely stray sun
beam that rested on his face by mistake.
He is gone. Aud over the sweet
face Of the lady the mournful expression
that seems so natural there, grows more
plain and sadder The eyelids quiyer,
and the diamond-drops glisten among
the dark lashes. But see! she has dash
| ed them aside, and sweet plaintiye