The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1854-10-11

beams, lay lakelet, into which an hundred
babbling brooks poured their crystal tributes:
Lydia sold her costly jewels, and thus she real
ized enough to purchase a choice stock for the
farm, besides having enough left to hire trust,
man to take charge of the grounds.
While Watkins was taking this step, Adam
| Langrave went off south but where no one save
himself knew.
1t was in early spring when the fallen mer-
chant moved upon the quiet farm, and the work
must soon begin. He was not a man who could
remain idle, and he took hold to help his man
do the work. 1t was new to him but he found
it by no means disagreeable. His appetite
grew sharp, and he began to have a keen relish
for his food. The milk which came from his
COWS tasted sweet to him. And then to see his
little wife making butter and mixing bread all
with her own hands-it was novel to him, but
it possessed charm which was grateful. Then
be saw his chldren-a girl and boy, playing
upon the green-sward in the garden, and he
knew they were growing healthier. By and by
he set the children to studying, and he himself
heard them recite their lessons.
Before winter set in, the ex-merchant had
become real farmer. His crops had been good
and he experienced strange pleasure in real
izing that he had gathered to his garner more
provisions than enough for the year to come
But who shall paint the happiness of the de-
voted wife, when she saw her husband thus re-
turning to himself. The bloom of health was
again upon his cheek, his step was firm and
elastic, his spirits were buoyant and free, and
his soul had become centered in his home.
Three years passed away, and the pale, ,trem-
bling, feverish merchant had become a stout,
healthy, rugged man. His home was the abode
of every joy-a heaven upon earth.
1t was in the evening. Mr. Watkins had
heard his children recite their lessons and say
them and attended them to their beds. They
had just set down alone-the husband and wife
when some one raped at the door. Lauson
arose and opened it and Adam Langrave en-
tered the apartment. Lydia sprang to the old
mans embrace, and she wept tears Of Joy to see
her kind old uncle once more
Langrave looked about him with something
like surprise depicted upon his countenance, and
as he shook hands warmly with Lauson, he
seemed almost doubtful about trusting his own
senses. Could it be possible that the dying
merchant had become such living man. The
change to him was more surprising than it was
to Lydia, for she had watched each slow devel-
opment of returning health, when he saw it all
at once. 1t was, in truth a wonderful change.
Quickly did Lydia prepare simple repast
for her uncle, and then old times were talked
about. Lauson told how he had succeeded on
his farm, and Langrave told where he had
been in the south. The evening wore away
pleasantly and agreeably. At length the old
man remained silent for SONG moments, and
Lydia began to tremble.
'Lauson,' said he, how would you like to 60
back to the city, and enter into business
again?'
4 couldn't do it., said the young man with
slight shudder.
But think I could raise the means
No, no, [ am not fit for merchant. Mine
is constitution that cannot give up this sweet
home for any establishment in the city, All,
sir, learned a lesson when | came here1a les
son of life. l. know that l should have been
in my grave if had remained in the city. l
did not see it then, but [ see it now. AT first |
thoughtthe loss of my property was calamity
but sir it was a blessing in disguise. Look at
us now, and see if we are not happy. And
continued Lauson, with increasing emotion,
tomorrow morning you shall see my children
You will have to rise early if you would hear
their first smile of gladness'
THANK God, Lydia, murmured the old man
as he turned towards his niece, your plan has
been blessed.'
Lauson Watkins gazed frstupon his wife and
then upon her uncle. He was puzzled. His
wife caught his eager gaze and with convu-
sive movement she sprang towards him and
threw her arms about his neck
%, forgive me, my husband-forgive me!
she uttered while the tears streamed down her
cheeks.
Forgive you?-for what? What does this
mean?' gasped the young man, as he disengaged
his wlfe's arms from his neck, and looked into
her face
Why said Adam Langrave, she wants you
to forgive her for saving your life. Sit down |
Lydia, and III tell him ALL
The wife sank into chair, and then the old .
man resumed:
I'll explain the whole mystery to you in a
few moments, Lauson You know how deeply |
you had become absorbed in harrassing business
and how increasingly you devoted your time to
the mere requirement of money. Your wife
Sd" 'utO you "elc losllS your uedlCn ana
strength, that you were becoming entirely lost
to her and her children, in the many depths of
money making. This latter burden she could
have borne without murmur, but when she
saw that you were surely making your own
premature passage to the grave, she thought to
arrest your steps. She spoke to you and told
ner fears, but you needed them not She saw
hat the hand of the destroyer was upon you,
and that you only plunged the more deeply into
he full excitement that was killing you. In
his extremity she came to me, and begged of
me to assist her in saving you. knew of but
one way, and I told my child of that. She
made me promise that would carry it into exc
;utlon. | went to work. It was severe task,
out I determined to perform it. | drew all your
money away from you, and when knew that
nad your last dollar in my possession preten
led to fail. When | saw your misery upon
hat occasion, was tempted to disclose to you
he plot, but resolved thatI would 90 through
With what l had begun, at the same time ear
1estly praying that it might all end for your
benefit.
And now,' continued the old man, drawing