Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-07-10
oookkeeper, and still bachelor. Your sister,
presume resides with you ?''
ssNo Bir,D was the curt answer

Mrs. Cleland's place of residence is un-
| known to me. l heard rumor of her having
| Joined her husband S elatlouS, South but my
dear Sampson, our walks in life so diff
ferent that my wife could not tolerate their
| circle of acquaintances, particularly after her
| ungrateful behavior. Tor would it have done
| to have drawn her and her family from their
| obscurity, making their poverty but the
mere glaring. Would you believe it, my
| wife procCred an extremely eligible situation
| for Mrs. Cleland's eldest daughter, as nursery
| governess to family going abroad, and L Of
fcred her eighty dollars year for the main
| tenance of herself and child, but both our of
fers were rejected with scorn. / washed my
| hands of her and her affairs. But let US talk
of pleasanter things" continued he.
| felt like kicking him out of his luxuriant
arm chair, and fearful that my temper should
| get the better of me, with the best grace L
could assume left the room, and did not
breathe freely until in the open air, where
vented my feelings in sundry CALCULATIONS,
| which drew the attention Of the passers by.
] Some one touched me on the arm /; it was the
| black fellow, who had opened the door for me-.
'sSr,'' said he, 'sMrs. Ceand lives in Spring
| street, two doors from the Bowery-a tene-
| ment house,
s.Thank you, my good fellow" said /, CIV
| ing him some money, and turned toward the
| Bowery, and soon found the house where he
said my sister dwelt
Tears started into my eyes as thought over
| the past, and my poor m others pride in her
| little Susan. L brushed them hastily away,
and knocked at the door. A little girl, the
| image of my sister opened it.
"Does Mrs. Cleland live here 20 1 asked.
eyes sir.''
esCan see her 20
eyes. sir, please walk in.'' And she opened
the door of room near the entrance. 1t was
| scrupulousy clean but uncarpeted, pine ta-
BILE, few chairs, stove and small looking
glass, comprised the furniture with the excep-
tion of a few books on shelf between the win
dows.
My sudden entrance startled female, who,
with her back turned to the door, was washing
some fine laCes. Her confusion was momen-
tary. With the grace of we'll bred lady, she
requested me to be seated, and looked to her
little daughter for Information.
90 gentleman, to see you, mother"
s'From your brother Harry, in China mad
am,'' said 1.
The blood started to her forehead, and as
suddenly retreated, leaving her deadly pale,
as she gasped out,
'sOh is he living 20
ssLiving yes, yes," said I, ssbut he is very
poor. He is coming on, but his reception will
be rather cool from his rich brother, am
thinking
"Oh why am poor 2' said she, bursting
into tears. "But can give him home-and
will be so happy. can work, and we will
live together
jumped up and caught her hand, and Sob
bed like baby.
"You have a kind heart, sir, and 1 thank
you for your sympathy"
Just then her daughter came home.
alt is Ellen" said Susan, ssmy eldest child.
She is working in straw factory, and gets
good wages.'
S'But, fear Ellen you are fatigued to-day?''
"Oh, no, mother % And she bowed courte-
ously to me. s'Only little hungry
The little one that opened the door for me
jumped up Immediately and spread clean
cloth on the table.
Susan requested ME to stay and partake of
their humble dinner, to which l assented. A
plate of mealy potatoes, bread and tea, was
all; but to me it was better than the most
luxurious dinner, for eat in company with
those | loved.
Ellen was slight, dark eyed girl, not beau
tiful, but intelligent and pleasing, and | was
delighted with my intended heiress.
An honr soon passed. Ellen had returned
to the factory, and drawing my chair closer to
my sister, took both her hands in mine, and
looking steadily in her face, said: ssSusie,
why did you not marry the President ?'' (For
you see l could not keep the cat in the bag
any longer.)
Her first impulse had been to rise up in an
ger. She looked me steadily in the face, and
grew deadly pale. | feared she would faint,
and cried-.sOh Susie, don't, it is your BROTH
er Harry" was useless, there she lay in my
arms, helpless child, and little Mary cry
ing.
s.Oh mother, mother! You've killed my
mother.''
eNo such thing,'' said I, as dashed cup
of cold water in her face. By-and- by all was
right again. Susan was satisfied that it was
her brother. | told of my whim of wishing to
remain unknown to Jack, and his wife, whom
4 haI aud tr11 S,,n do,
to move-asked where l should find Peter.
She told me he was porter-managing to ex-
ist, and that was al-oDe of those unfortunate
stepsons of fortune with whom nothing pros
pers, but honest and respectable withal. OF
course, John dropped him. His wife could
scarcely tolerate her own husband, and would
have died with modification, if Peter, in his
coarse suit of clothes, had dared to accost her
as sister.
l was sick of these fol de rol airs-this aping
of aristocracy and became more anxious than
ever 10 put damper on their conceit. l wish
ed Susan good bye for while, and went to-
ward the business part of the city. Who
should brush against me but the identical man
was seeking. l recognized him at once
called out,
"Halloo, Peter Stop, can't you, old boy 20
laughed until the tears ran down my cheeks
at his look Of astonishment. At last he slow
ly calculated,
"Are you Harry, or are you not ~
ssThe veritable one, +" said l.
Why 1t was pleasant this meeting. Peters
heart was in the right place. Wewent into a
porter-house, and had good talk together
settled all our plans-then separated, Peter to
give warning to his employer, and in search
of dwelling. This was soon found, and an
upholsterer dispatched with Unlimited orders
to furnish it. Ny next step was to procure an
equpage and horses. A week sufficed to put
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