The Winchester appeal. [volume] (Winchester, Tenn.) 1856-1856, 1856-04-05


eyes met, all served to convince the
old gentleman, who had not forgotten
that he was once young himself, that
they felt more than a common inter-
est in each others welfare. He for
bore making any remarks on the sub
ject, but was not displeased at the sup
position, as the penniless Henry would
have imagined.
Henry had now been about year
in his employ. Mr.. d. knew nothing
of his family; but his strict integrity,
his irreproachable morals, his pleasing
manners, all conspired to make him
esteem him highly. He was proud of
Henry, and wished him to appear in
dress, as well as in manners, as res
pectable as any one. He had often
wondered at the scantiness Of his
wardrobe: though he dressed with the
most scrupulousregard to neatncss, his
clothes were almost threadbare. Mr..
d. did not wish to think that this pro-
cceded from niggardly disposition.
and he determined to breach the sub
ject, and if possible, to ascertain the
real cause. This he did in the man
ner we have before related.
Soon after this conversation took
place, Mr.. d. left home on business
As he was returning, and riding thro'
q beautiful little village, he alighted
at the door of a cottage, and requested
o drink. The mistress, with an ease
and politeness that convinced him she
had not always been the humble cot
tager. invited him to enter. He ac-
cepted the invitation-and here a
scene ofpovcrty and neatness present
cd itself, such as he had never before
witnessed. The furniture, which con-
sisted Of nothing more than was abso-
lutely necessary, was so eXquisitely
clean that it gave charms to poverty,
and cast an air of comfort all around.
A venerable looking old man. who had
not seemed to notice the entrance of
Mr.. D., sat leaning his head on his staff
his clothes were clean and whole,
but so patched that you could have
scarcely told which had been the orig.
inal piece.
That is your father, presume?'
said Mr.. D., addressing the mistress OF
the house.
at is, sir"
ale seems to be quite aged
"He is in his eighty.third year: he
has survived all his children, except
ing myself"
"You have once seen better days!'
81 have-my husband was wealthy;
but false friends ruined him; he en-
dorsed notes to a great amount, which
stripped US of nearly all our property
and one misfortune followed another
until we were reduced to complete
poverty. My husband did not long
survive his losses; and two ofmy chill
dren soon followed him."
"Have you any remaining child
REM"
81 have one and he is my only sup
port. My health is SO feeble that
cannot do much; and my father being
blind, needs great attention. My sol
conceals from my knowledge the a
mount of his salary; but | am convinc
ed that he sends me nearly all, if no
the whole Of it,
"Then he is not at home with your
"No sir; he is clerk for merchan
in Philadelphia"
"Clerk for a merchant in Philadel
phial Pray what's your sons namc?
Henry W."
"Henry W. reiterated MI
D., "why, he is my clerkl-l left hin
at my house not fortnight since"
Here followed a succession of inqui
ries, that evinced an anxiety that
mother only could feel; to all of whic
Mr.. D. replied to her perfect satistac
ton.
"You know our Henry" said the oil
man, raising his head from his staff
"Well, sir, then you know as worthy
lad as ever lived-God will bless hir
for his goodness to his poor old CRANE
father" he added in a tremuous voice
while the tears ran down his furrow
, ed cheeks.
Ale is a worthy fellow, to be sure
. said Mr.. D.. rising and placing a wei
filled purse in the hands ofthe old mai
"He is worthy fellow, and shall nj
want friends"
, Noble boyp said he mentally, {
he was riding leisurally along, rumil
! ating on his late interview--"nob
| boy, he shall not want wealth to en-;
t BILE him to distribute happiness. Ib
: lieve he loves my girl, and if he doe
. he shall have her, and all my propert
, in the bargain"
, Filled with this project, and dete
a | ,o;pad ifroceih1o ~ oeoorta in tho FRI