American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-08-20
elorgantown, Va.) Friday, August 20, 1855.

great brick house, Roland and Nellie
were walking home from the old hut in
the wood. Roland had asked the aues-
ton which he had asked once before.
and Nellie answered him with tears
and smiles-not such tears were shed
In the time agone, but happy Joyous
ones, which were quickly kissed away
as the VOWS were sealed.
In the early morning, when autumn
had come, Nellie stood alone by the bed
side of the old man of the wood. The
invaliis breath came slowly and heavi.
ly' and his eye had grown very dim.
Here is the box," he whispered,
drawing tho silver memento from be.
meath the coverlid, and handling it to
his far nurse. "Take it and keep it in
memory of me. You know why I give
it to you. Guard it sacredly, for It is
trust which 1 put into your hands,"
| With trembling hand Nellie took
the box and put it in her bosom, but
before she could make any reply the
old man was seized with a sudden con-
vulsion, and seemed to be in deep pain.
At that moment the Doctor whom Nell
lie had sent for entered the hut.
1T is all over, he whispered, after
he had felt the old mans pulse while.
'And must he die 2
'He is dead now; my child
Nellie could hardly believe it, but
when she saw how still clay, and how
dull his eyes had grown, and that the
breath was hushed, she knew that her
charge had passed into better hands.
The man had died almost as he ceas.
ed speaking.
The doctor promised to send help,
and Nellie waited there all alone with
the dead until it came. Then she saw
all done that could be done, and when
night came she left watchers with tho
body.
Aaron Perry was buried in the vii.
lage church-yard, and though few fol.
lowed his mortal remains to their last
rest, yet warm tears were shed upon his
grave. %.
Roland, said Nellie, after thew had
been married a week, and had fuliy en-
tered upon the happiness they so much
deserved, see what I found in the sill
yer snuff-box old Uncle Aaron gave to
me-
And she handed him slip of paper,
upon which was written, in a tremuious
and scrawling hand:
81 could not use this, though it s the re-
suit OF years Of toll and hardship had
hoped to spend it with my aunt, but she
turned me from her. Igive it to you because
yon are the dearest friend have to leave
pehlnd me, and the first who has shown dis.
interested love for nae since nv father dieJ,
AARON PERRY"
But what does he mean p asked Ro.
land, after he had read the note.
Here it is. l found it neatly rolled
up in the box with it. l confess can
hardly understand it.
Nellie handed to her husband small
paper-coyered book as she spoke, and
when he opened it he found it to be a
Savings Bank. book, and within was a
certificate of deposit of forty-nine thou.
sand and some odd dollars.
1t was in the name of Nellie Clark.
For long time the young couple
looked puzzed over the strange book in
perfect wonderment; but finally it was
arranged that they should both 30 to
the bank Oh the following day and find
out what it meant
30 carly next morning Roland brought
wagon to the door, and he and Nellie
rode of. Tho bank was nearly twenty
miles distant, and they reached it in
time to do their business before dinner.
The mystery was soon cleared up.~-
From the officers of the bank they learn
dthat nearly twenty years before Aar-
on Perry had deposited with them over
twenty thousand dollars, and that it had
remained untouched since that time
and had now more than doubled. Also
they learned that during the last sum.
mer the old man had had the whole
transferred to Nellie Clark.
'And is it all mine ? Nellie asked,
in bewiderment.
YES, replied one Of the officers. 49,
II is all yours,to do with as you please.
You can draw it all out Immediately,
or you can draw out such sums as vol,
want, at such times as please.
Il was some days before the motions
Of Nellie and her husband became calm
enough for cool calculation. They
we're very happy and very grsteful.
But nota whit happier than before
said Roland stealing kiss.
Only q new source Of happiness
added Nellie. from tuhinh nlLa.a FL Iii