The weekly ledger., 1857-04-25

rinc; opposition and all joined in one univer-
sal shout After the excitement had some
what subsidized, the Judge looked at the boy
with admiration, and took out his pocket
book to pay the promised reward.
George noticed the action, and exclaimed
Keep your money, sir; l want no pay
for helping to raise the American faglo
"Nobly said, my little man; what is your
name" inquired the Judge
George Wentworth, sir! am an or
phan, and have just arrived here in search of
employment" replied our hero his bright
eyes glistening with tear.
"Well, you shall live with me-" exclaimed
the Judge. II will take care of you for the
future"
Five years passed from the time that Geo.
Wentworth became an inmate of his bene-
factors family. In the meantime Judge s.
had been defeated by his political opponent,
and George had been initiated into the mys-
| teries of "the art preservative of all arts" /"
He had become favorite with the citizens,
and was looked upon as the adopted son of
the Judge. 1t was even whispered in private
circles that he was to be the envied husband
of the beautiful and accomplished Ida, the
Judges only daughter.
But this George had not dreamed Of 'Tis
true he never felt SO happy as when in her
presence.
Poor youth! had he known the real state
of Ida's feelings, the thought would have al
most turned his brain and could he have in
terpreted the CLEAN of joy which flashed from
her eyes whenever he uttered a noble senti-
ment or a sally of wit, it would have filled
his soul with exstncy and delight.
One day in the latter part of June, Ida
her father and George were enjoying a sail
on the lake in their trim little yacht; the Judge
held the tiller, George stood gazing on the
opposite shore, while Ida was leaning over
the side of the boat, trailing her pretty hand
through the clear waters of the lake, when
sudden gust of wind careened the yacht so
that she lost her balance and fell into the wa
ter. As quick as thought, and before the
Judge could utter a cry, George plunged in
after her. Being good swimmer, he seized
and kept her above water until the Judge had
time to turn the boat and come to the rescue.
In few moments they were safe in the boat
again, and Ida soon recovered from her unex-
pected shower bath
The old Judge embraced George, and ex-
claimed with the tears starting fast from his
eyes
"God bless you my dear boy! you have
saved my daughters life. How can l ever
repay YOU"
'"By saying nothing about it," replied our
hero. 81 owe you a thousand times more
than can ever repay, and | am only too
happy to be able to render even this slight
service"
The lovely Ida could say nothing. Her
heart was overtlowing with an expression
that told volumes. Her father observed her
earnest, loving glance, and began to guess
the true state of affairs. He was not pre-
pared for it, and in silence turned the boat to
the shore. They soon reached home with
feelings very different from those they started
with.
The following morning George received a
note to meet the Judge in his library. His
heart beat wildly; what could it mean?
The Judge determined to put him to q Sc
we're test. AS soon as George entered the IL
brary he commenced.
"Since becoming an inmate in my family,
George, You have conducted yourself in a
worthy manner performing every duty cheer
fully, and neglectiug none. You are now of
age, and are capable Of doing business for
yourself have placed five thousand dol
lars in the bank at your disposal; you can
use the sum as you think proper, or let it lay
on interest, and take charge of my Office at
salary of fifteen hundred dollars year. In
either case yon must leave my house for the
present time. What do you say to my pro-
posalsW
George was perfectly bewildered, and
stammered forth a request to be allowed a
few hours for consideration. This having
been granted, he retired to his room and threw
himself OH the bed in paroxism of grief
Could the Judge have guessed what he him
self had scarcely dared to hope? What right
had he to his benefactor's daughter and for
tune? None! He would smother his feel
ings. and earn an honorable living by his
own exertions.
Various rumors were set afoat by the
scandal-mongers of O. as to the cause
of young Wentworth leaving his patrons
mansion, but their inuendos were unheeded
George now devoted himself wholly to busi-
ness and study His brow wore a more
thoughtful expression, and his cheek grew a
shade paler.
The Judge acted with him in straight
forward, frank manner, yet never addressed
him in the kind, fatherly tones which had been
his wont before the incident which occurred
on the lake. If he chanced to meet Ida in
his walks, friendly nod and glance was all
that passed; still he felt that his looks be-
trayed him, for the warm blood gushed from
his loving heart and tinted his cheeks with a