Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-05-30

on tle lace OF MS son, and he shook his head
in sadness and doubt.
| "Come, john" he said, "shut up your
book, and listen to me little while. 1 have
something that wish to say to you"
The student pushed his book from him, and
| looked up into his fathers face.
MY dear boy, am going to be serious and
earnest with you; and suppose you already
imagine what have come to say, but must
say 1t and you must give your attention"
The young man was impatient and uneasy
and his thin, white hands worked nervously
in the folds of his dressing gown
'John," pursued the white haired parent
"ot all my kith and kin you are all that is left
what shall become of Elmwood when l am
gone? Stop!-don't interrupt me. If you go
ON as you are going now, shall outlive you.
y, wish you would listen to reason and COM
mon sense. You have life enough in you.
OF all my children you were blessed with the
stoutest frame, and with the fairest proportion
OF form. Come, come, my boy, | must see
that chest filled out once more; those arms
brought back TO their force; and those cheeks
flushed with the tint of health. Leave your
books and take my horses. When you tire
OF the horses, take the gun or the fishing rod.
And, furthermore, it is high time that you be.
gan to take some charge Of the place. You
must learn to direct the workmen and super
intend the estate.
''You have something more to say" re-
marked John, after long pause.
Eyes" continued the old man, energetcal-
ly, 81 have something more to say; and, my
son, if you have any sense or reason left, you
will give me respectful attention. You know
that want you to marry"
''With Mary Howard" interrupted the boy,
with shrug of the shoulders.
Eyes, with Mary Howard. Her father was
the nearest and dearest friend OF my child
hood, of my youth, and of my early manhood,
the nearest and dearest outside of my own
family. 1t was his dying wish that his dangh-
ter Mary might be your wife, and such has
been and such still is, my wish. But, mind
you, would not wish this if were not salts
fed that she was all that good man can need
for a companion"
"My dear father" replied John, 81 am
sorry you have brought this thing up again.
Let Mary Howard find husband somewhere
else. As for me, do not want wife at
present. You know what my feelings are in
this respect"
''But, my son, if you would see Mary-if
you would cultivate her acquaintance
know you would like her"
Il don't wish to see her. l saw her once
ana she ran away from me-
''That was eight years ago, John. Mary
has improved since then"
81 care not for her Improvement. l want
nothing to do with her. II | wanted wife
might consent to see her, but | don't want
one"
Absalom Wilbur labored longer with his
son, but to no avail. The youth was bound
to his enervating studies; his life energies
Tt1ll a,I ~, i /,
surging of the waters upon which he had
launched the bark of his being
One day the chamber maid, who had been
in Absalom Wilbur's employ since the death
of his wife, took it into her head to get mar
rled, and Il new servant was wanted at Elm
wood. An advertisement was inserted in the
paper and several females applied for the
place; but they did not suit. One morning.
while the father and son sat at breakfast a
servant announced that a woman wished to
speak with Mr.. Wilbur.
Who was it?
1t was the widow Gould.
The old man said he would see her at once.
She might come into the breakfast room.
Years before she had been in his employ and
he knew her well.
And the widow came in middle aged,
mild looking woman, in deep mourning. She
DNGu III tnb LOW II anu WIS kuOWH IOT Il
and worthy person.
She had come to see about the advertise
ment in the paper.
elbow, Mrs. Could" said Wilbur, looking
up with a smile, edo you want the placer"
''NOt for myself. sir" replied the widow,
with low courtesy. Il have niece that |
would like to see in the place, and am sure
she would suit you"
"What is her name?"
'Polly Grace, sir"
elbow old is she?"
"Twenty -one last December
'Rather young" said Mr.. Wilbur, shaking
his head; but still, if you are willing to re-
commend her, you may bring her up. You
know just what l want"
81 think" ventured the widow modestly,
THAT you will find her all you can want. But
sir, have one favor to ask for her. She has
not suggested anything of the kind but l
know that the favor would be appreciated by
her. In her early life she enjoyed privileges
which she has been called upon to give up.
She is dear lover of music, and her father
once owned piano forte"
80, l see," cried Wilbur; ''you want that
l should allow her to thump upon my piano."
eyes, sir-if it would not be asking"
"Pooh! If the girl can play, l shall enjoy
it to hear her. So you may bring her up"
Towards noon the widow returned, and with
her came Polly Grace.
sweet, beautiful girl was Polly Grace. A
form as fautless as the ideal of a sculptor;
face from which beamed health, happiness
and love; features of rare purity and lowell
ness; soft, melting blue eyes, and hair of rich
golden brown, which hung in bewiching curls
where it was not confined.
And Absaom Wilbur hired her to take the
place OF the chamber maid who had gone off
and got married.
Polly Grace came like ray of sunshine in.
to the great house. She had pleasant word
and smile for everybody she attended to
her duties with promptness and cheerfulness
and then when the labors of the day were
done, she sat down to her books, or wandered
away in the garden and orchards. At first
she did not touch the piano, but Mr.. Wilbur
finally asked her to play for him, and when
he found that she knew how to handle the in
strument, he had it thoroughly tuned and
moved out into the day light. Could Polly
Grace play upon the piano?
One day. just as the shades of twilight were
creeping softly over the scene, John Wilbur
stopped in the hall, and listened to the music.
Polly was playing and singing. He remem-
bered when his sisters used to sing, and he re-
membered that he had heard his mother sing,
but he had never before heard such music as
that. The notes were as sweet and pure as
the warbling of a robin, and there was depth
and soul in the melody and in the spirit of the
song, which fairly entranced the listener.
On the following day, late in the afternoon,
lIn -