Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1857-09-18
Entertainments.
PERSEVERE.
BY MARY A. KEABLEs.

B1 MARY a. hfABLhS.
There" said Seth Milford, as he
brought his heavy hand forcibly upon
the pillow handle as he spoke. There"
he continued, in tone of bitter decision,
"'these five years have toiled for you.
Squire Williams, but this is the last fur
row | ever pillow in your field These
five years with nothing but my coarse
clothing and miserable fare; treated
more as a brute than human being :
trodden down, drove and beaten like a
beast. / have borne it all very patient
ly; | have laborod from the dawn Of day
till night; | have been faithful to all the
trust you ever reposed in me; | have
given back mild for harsh and bitter
words, but | will bear it no longer. Do
you remember my father, Squire? He
was noble man, and it was he who
raised you from penury by his generosi-
ty once; but when misfortune came to
him you reached forth no helping hand
to save him, and he, in bis dying mo-
ments, asked you to he a father to his
orphan boy and while you saw him die
you promised you would provide for me
and educate me as son. Has this been
done, Squire Williams? Have / dark
ened school-house door, or obtained
one moment for study since / lived with
you, although you knew my craving
thirst for knowledge? Have | ever sat
at your table, or spent an evening at
your parlor fire? Answer me, sir =
Have you been as you promised you
would be, as father to mt 2"
There was fire in the youths dark
eye as he spoke, and world of bitter
scorn in his tone. The old mans brow
grew black with passion, and his lip
trembled with rage.
GO" he muttered, between his
closed teeth, and fearful oath followed
the young man as he turned away.
And so Seth Milford wandered away
in the dim old forest; that night he lay
down to sleep. The calm moon, from
her azure throne, looked kindly down
upon the weary and disprited boy, and
the stars kept watch over him.
1t was a blessed sleep. The old hap
Ply days of long ago came before him (;
kind words cheered him, loving smiles
beamed upon him, and, in the future,
bright honors awaited him; numberless
hands beckoned him forward the old
mansion, where he had spent so many
weary hours, was his own; he was
victor-he had conquered all difficulties,
and honor and riches were his reward.
1t was only dream, yet Seth Milford
arose from his dewy bed encouraged; he
would look forward; he would be man;
he would rise above every trial, and be-
come one of whom the world might be
proud. What difference if he toiled and
suffered to obtain it, if the prize was his
at last.
Seth Milford was about seventeen
years of age, tall, dark and awkward
appearance his clothes we're Of the
coarsest homespun, and very much soil
ed and torn, aud an old palm leaf hat
and coarse brogans completed his toilet.
Weary and hungry, we can well ina
CINE his appearance, as he climbed over
the fence, the next afternoon, into field
where a number Of men were at work
harvesting; a good-natured, bale-look-
ing farmer stood near by, with large
basket in one hand and jug of water in
the other.
Seth imagined him to be the employ
er; SO, approaching him, he asked him
if he wished another hand. Instead Of
answering the question, seeing that the
boy was fatigued, he motioned him to a
shady seat, and commenced spreading
the "lunch" on the newly cut wheat
~ think you'll feel better for bite,
my lad I; so sit up with my men and help
yourself while | get you a rake, as ! see
you have none"
"Thank you" Seth's whole soul
was in the words; how that young heart
leaped with gladness as the first words Of
for many long year, fell like
music upon his ear.
Il guess I'll want you as long as you
want to stay. if you do well but you
must not work too hard and try and feel
1t home ct my house"
And Seth did; harvest passed and au- !
.umn came, and still be remained an in