Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1858-05-11
SAVED BY A MIRROR.
A Drover's Story.
BV TONY OUNCE.

Not many years ago there lived in the
town Of L--an old man who, at the
time became acquainted with him, was
engaged in farming, though he had pre-
yiously followed the occupation of Il dro-
yer.
Seated before the blazing hearth one
cold clustering winters night, he related
the following story TO me, while his wife
sat-busy with her knitting-by his side.
young man I" said he, 81 have got a
considerable property now, and am not
obliged to work for living, but can re-
member the time when it was, Root, hog,
or die with me, as they say out in the
great western hog country. You think, |
suppose, that | made my money easy, be.
cause | have got plenty of it, and enough
to spare once in while in charity, as
did when Old Bent Goodwin died"
Here the old man paused, rubbed his
hands, and took drink from the cider
pitcher, which he kept well filled upon
the table. 81 have got plenty of ofmoney,"
he resumed, "and if gave q hundred dol
lars to Old Bent's widder and another
hundred to her ,wo, little children, to
keep them from starving and suffering
with cold, its only follering up the rule
I've made to spend it the way which will
weld me the most qualification, and I'll
do hat even ifmy heirs don't likeit, which,
God bless them know they will, for
there amt an old farmer in the State
that's got nobler, or more generous chill
dren than have. They take part of it
from me ; Pm proud of that! and what
they don't take from me they do from my
wife, and I'm prouder of Hat-for it shows
that | wasn't a fool even when | was
young, for picked a woman that neither
nor my children ever were, or need be,
ashamep to- own.
"When took her hand in mine at the
altar, ! said to myself. This hand shall
either lead me up to heaven or down to
hell and took the marriage VOWS upon
me with that feeling in my heart, and, if
| ever get to the place where angels dwell.
it will be her hand that leads me there :
for, young man, let me tell you that,
though woman is called the weaker YES
sci, she is most gifted with that kind of
strength which enables one to keep in the
straight and narrow road that runs to the
Eternal City,
"But didn't get my money as easy as
you might imagine. | can remember a
good many hard times | have had--aye.
and dangerous ones too. I've been in
peril more than once when knew it. and
| haven't bit of doubt that many's the
time have escaped from dangers that
knew not of. This is a queer world. and a
greatmany things are daily going on around
us of which we know nothing; we are of.
ten in danger. can relate an adventure
had once in which my life was saved by
a looking-glass."
! told the old man | should be very
happy to hear him free his mind upon the
subject it would give me great pleasure tc
listen to the "reminiscences ofby-gone days
"Well, then" resumed my host, at was
just such a night as is tonight on the l7th
day of January, IS, some thirty years
ago. You remember it, mother, the very
day John was born.
at was very mild winter, and had
travelled good deal in transacting bust
ness, making ready for extensive opera.
tions in the coming spring. | had large
amount of money with me on the night
of which speak, which | had Just col
lected on six months note, of man
who had bought much of me the proceed
ing summer in the city of B. Al
the TIM | received the money, noticed
fellow standing near who eyed me very
closely, as tho he was studying my ap.
pearance with the intention ofrecognizinl
me, FLY any chance we should meet a
gain. Thinking from his looks that i
might be advisable for me to have the
same advantage, scrutinized his counte
nance and person hastily, but Thoroughly
and he, perceiving himself so much an OBJ
ject of interest, turned upon his heel, anc
walked away. had read him through
and knew him by heart. He was q Sigh
built, dark complexioned man, with aloose
uneasy motion in his gait, which denoted
imbeclity and vacilation; but one lool
into his black eye, which had the Gun
ming, intrigue and stealthiness of Span
iard's, mixed with certain something
which indicated determination, complete
ly altered ones estimation of his charac
ter, and set conjecture busy to work il
the region of fancy concerning him. Blu
long and somewhat intimate acquaint