Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1858-04-29

muscular system was nobly developed, and
men would come before him for trials OF
PHYSICAL strength. When he first left the
city, two years before, he had weighed one
hundred and thirty pounds avordupois. He
had brought up the beam fairly at one hun.
dred and seventy-six! Surely, he was new
man in every respect
On the afternoon of the third day, as he
entered his hotel, one of the walters hand-
from Mr.. Wilton. 1t was request that he
would be at the merchants house at nine
O'Clock that evening.
"George," said the doctor, after the youth
had given full account of his adventures,
81 should think you would almost forgive
poor Rowland for having made off with your
fortunel"
"Forgive him." returned George; "Oh l
did that in the first place!''
"Well, George" resumed the doctor,-
"Mr. Rowland is here. Will you see himl''
"See him, See Charles Rowland OF
course will"
The door was opened, and Mr.. Rowland
entered He vas an elderly man, but hale
aad hearty.
The old man and young shook hands ,and
then enquired after each others health.
"You received a note from me, some two
years ago. said Mr.. Rowland, sin which
stated that one in whom had trusted had
got your money and mine with it,"
"Yes, sir" whispered the youth.
"Well," resumed Rowland, "Doctor AL
lyme was the man. He had your money"
allow! What" gasped George, gazing
ment.
"H old on my boy," said the doctor, while
variety of emotions seered to work with
IN his bosom. "f was the william 1t was
! who got your money. worked your ruin
my boy. And now listen and I'll tell you
why"
81 saw that you were dying. Your faith
er died of the same disease. A consumpti
was upon you--not a regular pulmonary af-
fection, but wasting away of the system
for want Of vitality. The soul was slowly,
but surely, eating its way from the cords
thot IL " hEC" lHdL IL Cpulu
be cured: and knew too that the only
thing that could cure you was to throw you
upon your own physical resources for {.
livelihood. There was a morbid willingness
of the spirit to pass away. You would have
died ere you had made any exertions, from
the very fact that you looked upon exertions
a worse than death" lit was a strange state
of both mind and body. Your large fortune
rendered work unnecessary, SO there was
no hope while tie fortune remained. Had
it been wholly bodily malady, could have
urged you into the necessary work for
cure. And, on the other hand, had it been
wholly mental disease, might h I'VE driv-
en- your body to help your mind. But both
were weak, and [ knew you must either
work or die.
''And now, my boy, ri tell you where
my hope lay. knew that you possessed
such true pride of independence that you
would not depend on others. | knew that
if you were forced to do it you wou.s. saw
Rowland, and told him my plans. l assur-
ed him that if we cU1trived to get you II
sea, and make you start out in active life,
you could be saved. He joined me at once.
| took your money and his. and babe him
clear out. You know the rest. And now
tell me, boy; if give back your fortune,
will you forgive me! Your money is safe
every penny of ito tie amount of one
hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Poor
Rowland has suffered much in knowing
how you looked upon him; but know that
he is amply repaid by sight of your noble,
pow er:ul frame as he sees it Tonight. And
now, George, are we forgivenr'
1t was an hour before all questions oil the
happy friends could be asked and answered;
and when the doctor and Rowland mad been
forgiven and blessed for the twentieth time,
Mr.. w ilton said" Wau!''
He left the room, and when he returned
he led Mary by the hand.
Late in the evening, when the hearts o:
friends had begun to grow tired with joy,
George asked Mary how much longer she
was wiling to wait. Mary asked her faith
er, anc The answer was
"Two weeks!"