Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1858-10-07

proach.
At the time our story opens young Leices-
ter was in his eighteenth year. His father
did not speak the truth when he expressed a
wish that he had reSembled his mother in tenn
per ; for in his secret heart did the old man
rejoice at the evidence Of fine manly spirit
already manifested by his son. And the hand
some, noble-looking youth, possessed great in
fuence over his parent, though not sufficient
to turn him from his revengeful purposes
Brought up in the East amid scenes and with
habits foreign to his nature, young Leicester
joyfully left his native land to seek the early
home of his parents, and the knowledge of his
fathers purposes was the first cloud that over
shadowed his happiness One week after that
conversation they landed in England.
* 4
Had England been searched over, O hap
pier man than Edward Leicester could scarce
ly have been found at the time we commence
this little history. The devoted husband of
an excellent and amiabe wife, the proud and
happy father of three lovely children the pos
SCISSOR of magnificent home, and an income
more than adequate to meet his utmost wishes,
surrounded by friends and prosperous tenant
ry, what could man wish for more
Edward Leicester knew these privileges,
and was thankful for them. No man could
say that in word or deed he had offended him,
and endless were the blessings bestowed on the
kind landlord, the liberal master, and firm
friend. No formal ceremony, no forced show
of humility, prompted the greeting that every
where met the Leicesters, that taught the cot
tager'S wife to courtesy, and laborer to touch
= L., 81 l,,,tt. n,l A,l l,uo / ~
cester loved his people, and never lost an op-
portunity of increasing their comfort and ad-
ding to their means He built them new cot
tages, he planted them fruit trees, he gave
them u good school, and he encouraged educa-
ton. His wife, no less energetic and enthu-
siaStic, attended to other wants, and unlike
many others Of her station, she sought for and
relieved their necessities, ere she expected them
to comply with all her wishes.
Again we say, a happier man, a happier
family, or one that better deserved prosperity,
could scarce have been found in all England.
But sorrow and trial were in store, misfortune
as complete as it was unexpected, and poverty
as distressing as it was undeserved
"My dear Mary, you look sad this evening
Surely, that is a srene to inspire you with
pleasant thoughts" And Edward Leicester
passed his arm round his wfes waist, and lead
ing her to the open window, pointed to the
lawn on which their children were merrily
sporting.
=" | feel sad, Edward" was the low response
" an unusual preseutiment Of evil has possessed
me all dav, nor can look on my children with,
out feeling of terror"
" Ny dear wife, this is unusual for you,
said Edward Certainly, at present we have
no reason to appreheud any trouble but
should misfortuncS come, we must meet them
with fortitude Poverty, earth's bittereSt tri
al, we have no reason to dread
Alas for the confidence in earthly riches
That day week, Edward Leicester and his fam
ly were far away from the scene of their hap
pinesS, homeless, almost pennlleSS, and with the
humiliating consciousness that for many years
they had been appropriating the inheritance
of another.
1t is time to talk over our plans for the
future, my Mary" said the unhappy husband
and father, as the family gathered together
on their first night after their arrival in the
humble London lodging house that must hence
| forth be their home. Our means are barely
| sufficient, and must lose no time in seeking
employment. At present | am unable to de
termine what had better try first"
My husband this is the cruelest blow o
ALL" replied Mary Freely would | have
yielded up all we loved so well--freely have
endured poverty and privatIon but 10 see yor
| labor for our daily bread +! oh, my Edward, il
| is hard, very hard ~ And the loving wife
| who without a murmur had parted with the
! luxuries and comforts which long use had made
necessaries, wept at the thought of her bus
! bands trials
! Mary, you know that for years | have in
dulged my love of painting as an amusement
aud have been called no mean artist, said Ed
ward, What better plan can / adopt thar
now to make it a source of profit 2"
! 1t was with sincere sorrow that Mrs. Lei
cester gave her consent to this proposal but
! feeling at last that without something OF the
kind her children must perish from want, she
smothered her grief, and her smile and Einc
caress cheered the heart of the weary artist
when, in long after days. he was sinking nndel
the united effects of inceSsant toll aud repeat
ed disappointment,
x
Colonel Leicester felt that his revenge wa
complete, when those whom he had employed
TO watch the proceedings of the ruined family
! Informed him that not only was his cousin la
boring for an existence, but that his wife alSC
had felt herself called on to lend her assistance
and was even then tailing day and night t.
meet their increasing expenses.
Ha, revenge is sweet Truly, this is al
hour worth living for !" was his exulting ex
clamation, on hearing Of their poverty.
His son made no remark he had long fell
how useless was remonStrapce. But the sun
intended for the purchase Of splendid addi
tion to his sportsmaRlike possessions found
its way to the humble home of his relatives
where it prayed a seasonable and most wei
come gift,
Can Charles have relented and taken pity
on his victims p was Edwards EXCLAMATION