Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1861-11-21


wrongs of the opposition, that he carried all
the disinterested hearts with him. He gained
his case-gained it against the power of money
and numbers-gained it by such powers of bis
own as few among his peers could have put
forth.
As Mark Wilton turned to leave the court
room, after he had received the cOng"atula-
tions of the bench and bar, he saw his father
there weeping. For an inStant-but for an
instant only-there was in his soul a spirit of
exultation over his weeping parent !; but bet
ter feeling quickly came, and in the flush of
that proud hour he felt that it would be a
crowning JOY to have that old mans hand laid
with blessing upon his head.
That evening, as Mark Wilton sat with his
wife, his clients, who had come to congratulate
him, having taken their leave, and his child
ren having been put to bed the door-bell was
rung, and presently Mr. Sampson was ushered
into theparor Mark had not seen the old
man to converse with MIN fer long time
He knew that Mr. Sampson had been a fire.
queut caller at the house, and that he had
spent much time with the children; but he him
self had been so busy that he had no opportu-
nity to hare his company. Now, however, he
"
and free.
OF course the conversation turned upon the
great trial and once more Clara beard how
the people were prasiug her husband
4" My SON SAID the old man, lyon are ut
the top of the ladder but yonr work is rot
done Your labor OF climbing may be over,
but there is high broad mountain of honor
nnI fame before you. Up its slopng side leads
one path that will surely carry its follower to
the SUMMIT. It. is the path of usefulness |
would not tonch yon with advice, but l speak
with the fuiIucss of my heart
"I understand you, my good sir" replied
Mark az and your hiut pIeases me. 1t pleases
me most because it is the reflection Of my own
feeling, and the sun of my own reflections. !
have reached proud station but have only
Just begun to taste the sweets OF successful
labor. There are rich rewards in the future,
and am resolved to gain them if live
Mr. Sampson was deeply affected but he
subducd his emotion, and then spoke ID the
Young man of his father.
" saw your father last evening, Mark; ard
he is proud aud happy"
"Pr,u nd and happy p repeated the law yer
IN o low, moditatIve tone.
" Yes, indeed be is"
Mark Wilton rested his brow upon his hand
and ,honght. They were not new thoughts
that came TO him thca,-EC; they were tAougtS
that often occupied his nI-thouIhtS given
him hy his blessed wife in their Seasons Of
calm, hopeful communion.
And yet,n be said. as though arguing with
himself, "my father cast me of, and that, too,
for oil time"
No, no" quickly interposed the old man.
"He did not DO that know he did not
Your are wrong, returned Marx, with a
sad shake of the head. My father bound him
self by solemn pledge"
ITO what?"
THAT not one penny of all his property
should ever 90 to the husband Of Clara Pres,
ton. That-that-waS cruel | care not for
his money now--God knows | do not-but it
is painful to. think that this barrier still re.
mains"
The tears started to Marks eyes as he
spoke !; and the Old nan when he essayed to
reply, broke only into sobs.
" My dear father-my dear husband listen
to me, said Clara, starting from her chair and
standing before the two men The hour has
surely come, and the cloud must be swept
away"
She seemed like one inspired. Her beauti-
full face was radiant with a halo of glorious
enthusiasm, aud from her large%ustrous eyes
beamed the light OF joyous, holy effugence.
40, Mark, Mark-my own dear husband,
your father did not cast you off he did not
hate me He loved Inc tehderly and trusting.
y He hoped and prayed that might be your
wife and when he knew that your heart was
turned towards me he came aud tanght me
how to cherish and honor you Before | be-
came your wife he took the great bulk of his
property and made it over to YOU and yours
it is this very day, safely deposited, and bear
ing interest upon interest to your account He
did not give it to my husband but to my lover
O, Mark-my huSband-be blind 10 more
1t was your own father who placed our hands
together for the uniting of the sweet, sacred
bond; and he it was that blessed us both when
the union was complete. Your own father,
Mark, has been often, often beneath your roof
and your children love him f0nGly, aud call by
the name he SO proudly bears to them. O-my
husband, my father"
The long white hair, the flowing beard, and
the bushy eyebrows bad dropped from the old
mans head aud face and as Mark now turned
towards him the veil was removed. 1t was his
father-hiS own Understanding before him,
with throbbng breast and outstrctci.ed arms.
x x
d" Ny son." said Jotham Wilton, "do you
see aud understand it all ? think it must be
plain to you. If the trial cot you some bitter
moments, be assured it has cost me no less
You were all the child that was left to me-
Your two brothers, older than you, and in all
respects your equals in mind and intellectual,
eudowments, had grown up and faded away.
They had faded aud died because they had not
the energy to live. As you grew TO manhood
/ saw how it was with you. | saw bow GER
tainly you would fail if some powerful stimulent