Litchfield enquirer., 1863-07-09

"You surely can't have the heart to laugh at my diversity p said Alton, with indignant re- 
 .Oh no, Squire, not I. was laughing to think how rightly had judged of those fellows. all along. I've often seen them out here, and I've had my opinion Great friends of yours. Must be. Game so often to dine and lodge with you, and hunt, aud admire, and have a good time and no ex- pense. Oh, I've heard their oily voices. and seen their sweet looks-though, for the matter of that, they hardly looked at me, and then as kant, or with sheer, as if they felt l knew them through and through, or that their dainty feet were too good to pass over the land that didn't look as well as yours. Well, Squire, time tries all, and now you ought to know them. Ought to have known them befors-a man as smart for business as you have been. But you let your heart run away with your brains, before you found that the longest purse has bottom to it. I never really thought that you would come to so bad pass as this !; but I felt sure that some day you'd fad out these hypoorites, and repent you had ever housed them. A thousand dollars is big sum to man like me, Squire and suppose it is needless for me to say that haven't it."
 ''Hardly expected Gribb would have it, muttered Alton, as he retraced his steps. "But thought I'd try him, to see what he would say. think him more honest than the rest, notwithstanding his rough manners. Yet he may have the money, and withhold it on ac- count of some lingering spite regarding my guests. But what an amount of hollew heart edness have had revealed to mel The mis- erable fawners! The windbagsl knew by their eyes and manner they were lying, while they faltered their apologies. The lesson was worth the search. will mend by it,
 Toward sunset, as Alton was standing in front of his house, he was surprised to see Gribb coming through a garden gate toward him, with bag in his hand.
 "What now, wonder3 He hasn't crossed my threshold for many month, Some seeds to sell, perhaps"
 Gribb approached and set the bag down on the stoop. It jingled.
 "There's five hundred dollars, Squire-all I have on hand. Would have made it thou. sune if could. Pm rough neighbor, and perhaps, you don't altogether like me, be- cause I wouldn't pat with the land l love- All's one fir that. But l like you, your chari,ies and your character. It would be pity if g man, who has given away his thou sands to the poor, should find not one friend to help him in the hour of need"
 !" But have never helped you"
 q never needed it."
 "And you may never get the money back"
 "oh, that will come right enough. Some day you'll be able to pay me. If not, no mat ter."
 II will accept the favor on condit'on you do me another"
 "What is it ?''
 aPromise me that some day, when l send for you, you will come and dine with me-"
 aIIl not say no te that, said Gribb, laugh ing. "1 know you don't set 2 very poor ta- ble."
 Before week had passed, Noel Alton was seen seated with his accustomed guests, around Q princely banquet at his house. They had been informed by him of favorable turn in his affairs. and had accepted bis invitation without blush.
 But the sycophantic group were astonishsd to see Gribb, who had been suddenly called in from his fields, sitting at the right hand of Af- ton, and in his working-clothes.
 Sly sneers passed from mouth to mouth, un- til the cloth was removed; and now, over their wine, Alton related the incident which had attested the friendship of his unpretendiDg neighbor, and, as in duty bound, all showered their compliments upon the honest fellow,' y and toasted him.
 a.But have not told you the whole of the story yet" resumed Alton, placing the bag apon the table before Gribb. "There is tie bag, the contents untouched. It may surprise you to be informed that I never needed it l When came to you, gentlemen, in the city, with the plea of poverty in my mouth, made it as a test of your sincerity for l had sus- pected, and on that day proved, that lipser- vice was all that you would ever render me !; and the pitifal falsehoods you told me justified the deception. was then, and am now, as rich as ever. My estate is free from incum- brances. and has always been and by Gods favor, it ever shall bel am richer than ev- er-for my ruse had rid me of the impover- ishing society of false friends in the future. And now, gentlemen, as you have taken your last dinner with Ned Alton, and learned that he is wholly free from endorsements, permit me to inform you that tho stage is waiting for you at the gate, to free you, also, from embar. rassment."
 The resolute tone and stern demeanor shame, and the sight of several atalwart work
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