Butte record., 1856-12-13

she has been accustomed. our pro-
fession is an honorable and elevating
one, and although you have not, as yet,
gained in it high reputation, your
talents and industry may one day en-
sure your success. 1t my daughter
feels that her destiny is irretrlevably
linked with youIs, she shall have my
consent TO wed you. But will i'm
pose one condition, as test of your
sincerity and worihiness.
ooh, name it," [ enthusiastically
exclaimed "and though it were as diff
fcult of execution as consummating Sy-
siphus' task, Or as perilous in purpose
as buffetting the turbid Hellespont,
will attempt it,"
at is neither difficult or dangerous
All that is required is patience and in
dustry. Listen If, at the expira-
ton of two years from the present time,
you shall have established an acknow-
lodged reputation in your profession,
and have secured an income that will
comfortably support my daughter, you
shall have my consent"
l unhesitatingly availed myself of the
proposition, and thanked him for his
generosity. [ resolved to apply my
self with assiduity to my business, and
force reputation from the legal fra
ternity
When | reached the glrden in front
of the house, l met Mary. who was
anxiously waiting to hear her doom.
[ related what had passed between her
father and myself, and assured her that
the task did not now seem difficult, as
the incentive to cxertion was so great
that success was sure to follow.
Mary did not receive the intelligence
with the satisfaction I aniici .aled. She
had hoped that her father would have
given his consent without imposing any
condition, and was therefore disap.
pointed.
| told her that the prescribed lime
would soon fly around, and pictured in
glowing colors the advances | would
make in my profession, and how much
more worthy 1 would be of receiving a
treastre like her, when my fame and
success were heralded by every tongue
We would meet, oft meet, again, and
talk of the bright aud happy days which
the future held in store Tor Us. Time
would but add fresh fuel TO the fame
that burned within, and wheu my task
was done, life evernore would be but
one continued exstacy of love.
The fervency Of my hopes commu-
nicated itself to Mary, and lighted up
her visage with the rapture that ami
mated mine. Ere we parted a long
and warm embrace sealed our plighted
troths. Heaven and earth had never
before been witness to a pact more
pure, to betrothal more hallowed.
The application and energy which l
bestowed thenccforth on my vocation,
had the effect of increasing my patron
age. No labor seemed too great, no
research too tedious, and no study too
arduous, to ensurs the success of the
causes of my clients. They ihonght,
poor souls, in telling out nay fees, that
their dross was the incentive that urged
me to the herculean exertion which |
made on their behalf, and that it was
the touchstone that caused my forensic
oratory to flow. No! my client was
the father Of Mary, and the fee herself
Never had lawyer a more valu BILE re-
taiaer, and veyer did one more jealous
ly strife for the success of his client.
One year had passed since my inter
view with Mr.. Elton. I was PLEASED
to hear through mutual friends, that
he expressed great satisfaction at my
growing reputation, and frequently pas
sed high encomiums upon my exer-
tions. When l could afford respite
from my labors, my time was always
spent in the company of Mary Elton.
We both seemed but to live for the
hour when her father would declare
the conditions fulfilled, and endorse
our union. Oh, how slowly The wheels
Of time seemed to move Hours linger-
ed into days. and days to years pro
Ionged, as we would think Of the time
yet to pass ere the goal of our hopes
should be attained. Rut patience was
a virtue, and we resolved to add it to
our code of morals.
Christmas was at hand. The winter
50 far, had been intensely severe, and
the whole country was covered with a
thick mantle of snow. The tinkling of
sleigh bells had been heard without in-
terruption for three weeks in the town
of Wilkesbarre, and now that the holi-
days were coming, the denizens of the
town RECALLED themselves with sleigh
ride The sharp, biting atmosphere
which prevailed, induced exc. ton to
keep the blood in circulation, and the
young folks enjoyed themselves in the
healthlul exercise of skating and snow
balling. while the old ones, mufned in
furs TO the chin. rode to the sound of
merry bslls from one friends house to
another's-
Mr.. Elton had proposed to his
daughter to pass the holidays al his
! brothers. farm, which was situated
some thirty miles from Wilkbarre-
They were to go in Mr. Elton's sleigh,
drawn by his magnificent span of grays
the finest horses In the county, and
we're to return the morning previous
10 New Years, SO as to be in seas IN
to receive the calls of their friends on