The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-01-18

-and without word went iOrwaru ant
aroused the white-haired old servant, whC
was snoring uncoDsciouSly in the aartmen
indicated.
| have no wish 10 make terrific adventur,
Of the proceedings Of that night; suffice il Il
say, that with Iistol, the butler with an
other. the iOotman with poker, the house
maid in Mysteries, and the cook in an im
mense rutlled nightcap, were sufficient force
10 dspOssess the burglars OF the dining. room
and call in, after all was over, two suspicious
policemen, who expressed themselves Of tn,
opinion that the servants must have been il
the secret-a remark which made the cook
to use her own words, 'bile with indigna
ton, and drove the iootman TO the utterancC
Of an oath Of revenge
All being over, took my departure, amid
the thanks of the servants, who had not, as
vet, the least idea of the manner in which
had effected my entrance, and went slowly
home, dreaming all the way Of that brave
beautiful creature, and her pure, true, tho't'
ful eyes.
Nv adventure was soon made known TO Mr.
Markham, and in his gratitude he not only
increased my salary but invited me to dinner,
anu III COuIst Va uNNdiiV
and welcome visitor in the family. To none
more welcome, as l iondly hoped. than to
Lucy Markham.
Well, it was the old story, Will q poor
young man and his rich employers daughter.
OF course we fell in love, and were betrothed
secretly; and equally of course when Mr..
Markham heard Of it he gave me lecture
on ingrattude, and badc me leave his sight
forever and never see or speak to his daughter
again. IL is easy to bid two loving hearts to
forget each other, but a very difficult task to
enforce obedience. At length Lucy. conf.
dent of her fathers forgiveness, yielded to my
prayer and we were married, her maid and
young friend OF mine our only witnesses.
Lucy's hopes were doomed to disappoint-
ment. Old Mr.. Markham was furious ut
the news, and in his anger forbade his daugh-
ter the house, and made a will leaving every
thing to some public charity. Wewere alone,
my Lucy and |. all in all to each other in
this great world. / cannot tell how we loved
each other, nor how bravely and truthfully
she stood beside me in our liic-battlc. When
"A year had passed, and she had ceased to
anticipate the forgiveness of her parents, |
said to her, MY dearest, would you fear to
leave this native land of ours and cross the
ocean, to dwell in strange country where
there is wider field for effort, and where, with
industry. we may become rich and prosper
ous.' She only turned toward me, and laid
her head upon my shoulder, and her hand
within my own, and read the answer Ruth
made to Naomi in her truthful eyes.
We gathered our little all together, and
came 10 America, full of stroug hopes Tor
success in the land of which we had heard 50
much-hopes which were doomed to disap-
pointment, rs we found too late. All profit
able situations seemed closed against e,and
at last settled down clerk, in what APP
pearcd to be tolenbly ilourishing establish
mcnt, at u salary which barely sufhced to
keep us from actual want. We were sorely
pinched at times, and pride and poverty never
agree well together, bur love upheld us, and
we cheered each other by representations of
a better future. Meanwhile winter drew on
apace, and expenses were increased by the
addition of fuel and extra lights, and just at
that time nv salary was allowed to stand
over, and the rent, as a natural consequence,
remained unpaid beyond the proper time, to
tee great wrath Of the woman OF whom we
hired, and who lived below us in the same
house; and in themidst ofthis, our first little
babe was bOrn-a wee, fair snowdrop, with
its mothers own bright eyes.
That morning went to the store with
happy heart. TO my astonishment | saw
that II was closed, and that the shopmen
stood in group upon the sidewalk, conyers-
ing earnestly together.
what has happened" lasked, as ap-
preached.
Nothing, only we've iailed!' was the re.
ply.
And our salaries p ! gasped.
IL calkerlate wei have to whistle for EN-,
replied the youngest of the group, who was
amusing himself by swinging on the iron
Failing.
This news was, alas too true. Twas once
more out Of employment. Vainly trayersed
the city and sought for any situation, how
,yer humble, whi:h might keep us from
starvation. The days passed and my slender
.tock of money went with them. The land
lady threatened to set us in the street, and
the man at the yellow corner grocery-oh
Low well remember the horrible 'little bill!'
refused to increase the account upon his
books without immediate settlement. 'liow
is all this to end?' | asked myself, when,
one morning, there was neither cent nor
crust in our possession. ] made my way
through the streets with burning brain and
aching heart; must beg at lastr had al
ready sold such articles of clothing as could
be dispensed with, one by one. The few
articles OF jewelry in Lucy's possession had
followed them, and there she lay upon her
pillow ON the very verge OF utter dcstitution
she who had been nursed in the lap 0l
luxury and whom had brought FROM happy
home to this. | would have worked among
the common laborers in the street for her
sake, but they would have laughed at my
offer. AS the day closed in, went wearily
homcward, hungry, faint and helpless, think
ING only OF my wIetchedness and so utterly
,esardless Of all else, that brushed against
lady who was passing from shop to her
carriage with such force rs to elicit scream
from her lips. uttered hasty apology,
which she returned by n cold nod, as she
gathered her silken robes about her and
fastenedrhe clasp OF pocket-book which she
held in her hand. had, Of course Iaused
for an instant. and Us she entered her car
riagc stepped forward with the intention Of
proceeding on my way. AS | did so, the
blood rushed to my face, my foot touched
something, and by another movement covered
il. never looked towards the object, but
| knew at once that it was pocket.book.
felt instinctiyely that il was the same
which the lady held but moment before be-
tween her gloved fingers. There she was
before me in the carriage; might easily stoop
and restore il to her. However. common
honesty demanded this of me and yet, dared
throw away the chance Of rescuing my
Lucy from starvation? What was this TO
that rich woman, glittering with diamoneds
and robed with velvet and ermine! liter
ally could not move. People gazed into my
face as stood immovably in the center OF the
sidewalk. The great lady put up he win
dows to shield herself from my impertinent
f,afs and was driven awav Looked after