Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-07-27

sorrowful to be true. We are ruined
And our father-what Of him, Jessy!'
She shook her head mournfulIy. The mad
excitement Of few months, and its results.
had brought about an. imbeciity Of both mind
and body, painful 10 witness. You are our
only hope now, Arthur. o. how glad | am
you are come back at last,
Arthur Sutherland slept little that night.
In the news which his sister had confirmed, he
foresaw the downfall Of all the homes which
had so recently shed such bright halo round
the future. The partnership would be a part
nership in poverty and disgrace, and the matri-
monial engagement must end in bitter disap-
pointment.
am sorry for you, Arthur said the father
of the young lady the next day, when the
young man called on him at his counting
house and must say you have behaved hon
orably in coming TO me first. But your own
good sense will tell you that the connection
ought to be dropped altogether. You know
did not give my consent TO it very willingly at
first and nOU---'
There needed nothing more than that en-
phatc now ard Arthur returned home agi-
tated and cast down.
The arrival Of Arthur Sutherland, however,
was very opportune. He had a good report
among his fathers creditors and it was well
known that he had no share in the errors which
had brought about the failure. His assistance
was valuable in winding up the heavy affairs
of the bankruptcy and, with straight forward
and honest frankness, he made his services
available to the utmost.
One evening while the business was yet un-
completed, and after the harrassng duties Of
the day were over, as he was slowly returning
from the counting house 10 his fathers resi-
dence, he was accosted by gentleman whom
he dimly recognized as the companion of his
railway journey.
Il have been expecting and hoping you
would take me at my word, Mr. Sutherland
and would have called on me before now
But as You have NOT. was just going 10 find
you. Are YOU disengaged y! II you are, and
will allow me, | will walk homeward with
you.
Arthur took the offered arm.
And now, what are you dning how are
you getting on! But need scarcely ask you
this; for everybody meet speaks in praise Of
your disintefested Efforts to make the best of
this disastrous AFFAIR; and, now | think Of
what am saying, am no, sorry you have not
been to see me before nbw.'
What is the meaning of thisr thought Ar
thur; but he did not speak, and presently his
home was reached
And now, Mr.. Sutherland said Mr.
Smith, when they were alone, may | ask
what you intend doing when these affairs are
finally settled 2
Arthur replied that he had formed no plans
for the future. He supposed, however, that a
mercantile situation might be obtained.
Your fathers business was good one,
believe, Mr.. Sutherland why not take it into
your own hands1'
We shall not report further Of the conversa-
ton Of that evening. Arthur found that, BY
some means, he had obtained the good will OF
a sympathizing and able friend: and after the
inssrview-which was prolonged TO late
hour-the young man entered the room in
which his sister was waiting for him, IN a
more hopeful frame Of mind than he had en-
ioyed since his return home.
A few weeks passed away, and then il be-
came known that Arthur Sutherland had en-
tered on the business which his father had been
compelled to relnqush with all the advantages
Of large and foreign trade, which he had
been the means of opening, He made no mys-
terry of the fact that the unsolicited assistance OF
Mr.. Smith had enabled him to take this step
and when this was explained, all wonder
ceased for the large-hearted, open-handed,
but sometimes eccentric liberality Of that gen
lieman was no secret. Nevertheless there was
amystery which for months afterward remained
uncleared and we hasten on 10 its disclosure,
leaving it TO the imagination Of those of our
readers who think that a story Of ups and
downs is by no means complete if il does not
end in a wedding, 10 guess for themselves how
Arthur Sutherland again wOoed, and finally
won the lady of his choice.
FThere paS wedding then!'
Yes, very quiet, modest affair indeed,
ma am not at all such one as you would
approve, if yon are in any way given to roman
tic musings. But there was wedding, and
that is something and a few wedding visits
were paid, and in due time, returned
You never saw Mrs. Smith befnre, do you
say, Mr.. Sutherland = 1t was in Mr.. Smiths
drawing-r room that this fragment Of conyersa-
tion passed.
Never before she did US the honor To call
the other day. Never, at least, that can re-
member
Look again, Mr.. Sutherland are you
quite sure! And this girl, laying his hand
on his eldest daughter, have you never seen
her before 2
Arthur was puzzled by the tone of the
speaker, but he repeated the assurance that if
he had ever had that pleasure his memory
played him falsely.
Perhaps you will refresh our friends men,
ory, Edith said Mr.. Smith to his wife.
10 vou moi ramemhar asL cd tho lady IN