Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1862-06-10

but the deacon speedily intimated his
dislike OF cats, and puss had been Danish
ed.
One night Deacon Holbrook broupbt a
letter for his wife. 1t was such an upps.
ual circumstance for the good woman to re
ceive letter, that she took it eagerly. and
tore u open with unwcnted haste.
nat was 1t that made her eyes sparkle
win JOY! The familiar hand writing had
not deceived her. She knew at once. bv
the peculiar flourish on the top Of ii, that
it was from Henry.
She read it through with grateful! low
II was from one of the mining districts Of
California. 1t appears that Henry had
worked his passage, having no money and
leaving the vessel at San Francisco, had
proceeded at once to the mines, where he
was now working. He had not been there
long enough to form an idea Of what were
his chances Of success. lie, wished his
mother to write, and promised to keep her
ADVISED u his movements. There was only
one reference to his father. 1t was this
am afraid father still retains his bitter.
ness towards me. II this is the case. do
not trouble him with any messages, but if
otherwise, you may give him my dutiful
regards. and "a y fhsi nat vet .dasxair.
Of making myself q good and true man y
Deacon Holbrook did not look at his wife
while she was reading this letter, though
the hand writing must have told him also
who 1t was from.
Joshua" said his wife, timidly, using
the rarely mentioned Christicn name Of
her husband, this letter is from Henry"
80 suppose" said he, coldly.
As he sUUke he Tn ok frnrn hiS mol, NJ 81 a
Weekly Farmer, and adjusting his speeta,
cles, began TO read
This was hint, and so Mrs. Holbrook
understood 1t, that he did not care to pur>
sue the subject further. But she could not
help asking. Nv Wouldn't you like to read
Henry's letter, Joshua ?"
You will oblige me by not mentioning
his name again." said the deacon, stif1y.
'lie has forfeited all claims to be consider.
ed son.
30 days, months, and even years passed
IL lacked but a month Of five years since
Henry uolbr00k left his home. There was
little change in the air Of the grave, sober
looking mansion of Deacon Holbrook -
The deacon himself had failed more in
these five years than in any five preceding.
| Ills form had lust its ancient crectness. and
was bowed His face had grown more
wrinkled, and he spent more time in the
house. Mrs. uolbrook received tidings at
| short intervals. Henry was well and doing
well, he wrote; but Gid not enter into par
ticulArS. Some time he should return to
see his mother. OF his father he did not
| speak. These letters were all brought
home from the village post Office by Deacon
! lIObrOok, but he never signiied anv curl
osity or interest to learn their contents. -
Henry's name had net been mentioned be-
tween the two for years; yet-and let not
this surprise the reader-it would be hard
to tell which thought of him most constant
! ~. Behind the GPacou's taciturnity there
beat heart, and that heart was more tens
| der to his lost son than he would have been
willing to confess.
All at once his quiet life was broken in
upon. and that IN most cruel manner.
One day he entered the house, his face
as pa!l'd as Il sheet. his limbs lettering be-
meath him, his whole expression that Of
grave and intolerable anguish.
w hats the matter. Deacon Holbrook {?
What's the matter, Joshua? % iuouird his
alarmed wife
Hannah, we are raupers-raupers
in cur old age !" said her husband, bitter
".
Good Gracious what has happened,
joshua asked the wife, turning uaIe
from sympathy.
Little by little, it came out that Deacon
1nlbroUk bad become b0ndsman for a bank
! officer with whom he was well acquainted
anf IN whose integrity he had the utmost
confidence. But to-day the astoundi n, in
teliIgence had arrived that the officer. after
series OF defalcatiJns, had fed the coun-
try, and left his bondsmen TO suffer. The
amount for which the deacon had became
bound was sufficient to swallow no the
house and farm-all in fact that he plsess
ed
The farm was not valuable one. II
comprised sixty acres Of rough soil. which
by hard labor had been made to suffice fqr
the moderate wants offs small and econorn
zeal family. In the market it would moi
bring over three thousand dollars. and for
that amount the deacon was bound. Yes
terHay he had Teck0ned himself RICH
Now ne regarded himself as a pauper
This is indeed worse than DEATH" thought
the deacon with stern sorrow. THE
Lord has indeed smit;en me in mino Old
age"
Little time was given for anticipation be
fore the blow fell. The Holbrook farm
was advertised for sale at auction to TAKE
Lace iu three weeks. Bills were printeC
ard posted about on fences and in stores
Meanwhile, Deacon Holbrouk sank into
, state of listlcss apathy. All day long h,
would sit in the rocking chair. with hi
eyes fixed on the opposite wall, saying
nothing, and apparently paying little at
tention TO what was going on about him.
His wife, scarcely less sorrowful than him
self, feared that his reason was undermin
ed.
Three weeks passed by, and brought til,
: day of sale. Mrs. HOlbroOk would gladl,
have ahsented herself; but her husband
: exhibiting more life than of late, insisted
on her being present. s., with many mis-
givings, she became an unwilling witnes
; of the trying scene.
The bidding commenced at two thous
and dollars. Gradually i. went up to TWEEN
tynine hundred, and was about to b.
knocked of at that price to Squire Clayton
when the trampling of hoofs was heard
young man, with a handsome face brown
ed by exposure, leaped from his horse, AM
Inquired eagerly the amount CT the last bid
r On being ted, he at cnce exclaimed, g.
bid three thousand"
At that price it was knocked down t
him.
what name, sir ?" inquired the auc
tiopeeF.
! deacon Joshua Holbrook," was the re
ply, in loud, clear voice.
There was buzz of surprise, and tn
! question Who is he?" passed from one t
, another.
Among the rest, Deacon Holbrook look
, ed up eagerly, and a question was or hi
lips
Father, mother, don't you know you
, boy?" asked the young man, with emo
ton.
Deacon Holbrook's eyes lighted up witt
joy. Silently Re opened his arms. Tn
reconciliation was complete.
Henry subsequently, ex nlained that. hay