Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1859-01-28
From PetersoL's Magazine.l
JOHN CLARKE AND HIS FORTUNE.
BY MRS. NJ. A. DENIsoN.

She was a rosy little thing, only TWEEN
tv summers old. How brightly and be-
witchingly she shone-a star amid the
sombre company.
But what in the world has he left me-!
muttered John Clarke. Il believe he ha-
ted mel believe they all hate me.
Hush, dearp
i beaueath to John Clarke, my dear
" beloved nephew read the grim attor-
new. as a reward for his frmness in re-
sisting temptations the last two years,and
his determination to improve in all &C
ceptable things, my one-horse shay,whlch
has stood in my barn over twenty-five
years, requesting that he shall repair IT,
or cause it to be repaired in a suitable
manner
That was all. Some Of the people
gathered there Uttered, all seemed to en-
Joy the confusion of the young man. His
eyes flashed fire, he trembled excessively
poor little Jenny fairly cried.
To think she said to herself, 'hOw
hard he has tried to be good, and that /:
all he thought of it?
Wish you JOY, said red-headeC
youth with grin, as he came out of thu
/ room.
John sprang up to collar the fellow
but little white hand on his coat sleev,
restrained him.
Let them triumph, John, it won't bur
you, said Jenny, with her sunny smile
please don't notice them for my sake
Served him right said Susan Sprigg;
the niece of the old man just dead, an
to whom he had left all his silver, serve
him right for marrying that ignorar
goose, Jenny Brazier. suppose he ca
cuIated a good deal on the old gentle
mans generosity To which she added
in a whisper that only her own hea
heard, He might have married me. II
had the chance, and loved him bette
than any one else-better than that pre-
ty little fool, Jenny Brazier.'
Now we shall see how deep his gooc
ness is, said a maiden aunt, through hi
nose he stopped short in wickedne
Jest because he expected fortune fro
my poor, dead brother. Thanks to ma
sey that he left me five hundred dollar
Now can git that new carpet but we
see how much of change there is
John Carke--he always was an imp
wickedness.'
We'll, l guess John Clarke'll have
be contented with his little ten feet sha
ty,' said the father of Susan Spriggs
good old Deacon Joe Hemp.
We'll, reckon he is content--if he all
he ought to be, with that little jewel Of
wife, she's bright enough to make al
four walls shine,' was the deacon's rep
'Pshaw you're all crazy about ii
gal. Why she amt to be compared
my Susan. Susan plays on the iorty-
ano like sixty, and manages house fl
rate
Bless you, neighbor Spriggs, I'd ra
er have that innocent, blooming face
smile at me when l walked up of mo
p ings, than all the forty-piaho gals you {
scare up tween here and the Indie;
fact =
I'D like to know what you mean ?
claimed Mr.. Spriggs, firing up.
jest what say replied good
Deacon Joe, cooly.
well, that John Clarke'll die on
gallows yet, mark my words said
Spriggs, spitetuly.
That John Clarke will make on,
our best citizens, and go to the legislat
X yet replied old Deacon Joe, complac,
M ly.
Doubt it =
Yes, may be you do, and that's P
ty way to build up a young fellow,
it, when he's trying his best. No, j
Clarke won't be good citizen, if You
ave help it. People that cry mad dog
plaguey willin' to stone the critter W
he's running, / take ii; and if he
mad they're sure to drive him so.
don't you step up to him and say, j
I'm glad you're right now, and I've
faith in you, and if you want any |
why come to me and I'll put you thror
That's the way TO do business,
Spriggs.
We'll, ] hope you'll do it, that's
replied Mr.. Spriggs, sulkily.
4 hope ! shall, and I'm bound to,
way, if | have a chance. Fact is,
cot such a smart little wife that he
really need any help.
'No-it's a pity then that brother
ems cob left him that one horse shay