Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1856-08-15

and loving wife, for the sake Of trying
TO accumulate fortune.
The jolting of the cart may have ben
efitted him, for the fever rapidly left him,
and 10y the time he reached San Fran
cisco he felt like new man. He had a
mind to turn back and Try it again, but
he thought of his wife and nature and
love conquered. He went Immediately
to the office of the steamship company,
and secured a passage for home.
1t was cold clustering day in the
middle of winter when Dana reached
home. He pulled his cap over his eyes
to prevent being recognised, and then
started on foot for his own house. He
had heard from his wife but once since
he had been absent, and he hardly dared
to hope that she was well. He quick
ened his pace, and came in sight of the
house in which he had spent so many
happy hours. He glanced over his farm
and saw that everything appeared TO be
well cared for. The stone walls were
repaired, and just as he was thinking that
his wife and brother had done Femarka-
bly, well, the train on which he had rid
den from Boston whizzed past, directly
across his farm. He groaned in anguish
at the sight. lis beautiful meadow was
ruined, he thought, and it was owing to
his wild goose chase for a fortune. His
wife could not be expected TO know how
to attend to such things, and he expected
the railroad company had swindled her.
He approached the house and knocked
| timidly at the door. 1t was opened, and
there stood his wife, as handsome as ever,
but she looked at him with surprise. lie
had forgotten that he had not shaved
since he left her.
lie spoke and held out bis hand and
then his arms. There was Shrek, and
then the latter were well filled. Two
hours afterwards they were talking seri-
ousIy and solely upon matters of bust
ness.
q am sorry that the railroad passes
over our meadow" he said; 81 it renders
it almost useless"
They have the right of way, but il
has not injured it as much as you think, ,
she replied.
Il don't suppose they paid you more
than one hundred dollars for the land"
There is whcxe you are mistaken.-
They gave me twelve hundred dollars fol
merely the right Of way
" suppose they paid you in stock,
Mr.. Dana said, surprised that she had go
so large sum.
I " Yes, they gave me part stock ant
part cash, " the wife replied, trying not tc
look triumphant.
i And the stock, what is that worth, {
mere song, ] suppose?"
81 sold mine the very day that re
ceived it at an advance. 1t is not wortI
SO much per share now. ! thought / haC
, better have the money than trust to al
uncertainty"
The husband was astonished. He hac
received for a. narrew strip of land a
: much as he gave for the whole farm.
And what did you do with the money
Nelly?''
l Il took six hundred and bought tn
rich moving of Squire Bottoms. Yo
t remember how you used to wish that yo
c owned it2
D Dana did remember well. He ha
|. thought of the land when in Californi,
t, and was in hopes of getting back wit
y money enough to buy it.
s ''The other six hundred and fifty
y placed at interest in the savings bank. .
d " You are the best wife in the State
+ the husband cried with admiration.
But have not given a full accour
1t of my stewardship as yet. You remen
a Der the forest of pines on the hill ju
i back Of the meadow" ?"
e Dana nodded his assent. Ee was wol
e dering what was to come now.
is Well, there is no longer any fore
n there. ] sold every tree just as it stood
If why, who was fool enough to bu
pine wood z" Dana asked with a laugh
ID "The railroad company. They mu
m have wood 10 get up steam. They ga,
to me four hundred dollars for the priviIe.
as of chopping down the trees, and / W
Id glad to get rid of them for the purpose
III making sheep pasture"
er a sheep pasture" !" the husband crit
s, in astonishment.
ur "Yes, it makes a very fine one.
st bought one hundred sheep, and then b
as some left, which | added to that in {