Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1863-03-13

Eden like this
Now, tell you what, old man. cried
the enthusiastic merchant, cant think
of turning myself out of doors, even for
the sake of philanthropy but if you
will let me live here, and have my own
way little, | will give this house to be
your home as long as you live
Old Roger johnson opened his eyes
wider with wonder.
II shall be as if you were my faith
err said the eccentric Mr.. Upton
Everything l have shall be at your SER
vice. You shall sit with me at table, and
enjoy three meals day my baker, my
tailor, my servants, are yours. Twill
be worth half my fortune to have a hap
py man in the house. What DO you say
to that?'
Now you are mocking me- said the
old man, deeply troubled.
So you thought at first; but I'll
teach you that l never was more in
earnest in my life.'
But ! can never pay you
You will pay me, l tell you, by be-
ing perfectly happy
1t is too much, too much
Not a jot too much, old man. And,
take my word for it, it won't be long be-
fore you will think of something else
necessary to complete your full bliss. l
see by your eye you have already
thought of sometbing-am not right ?
Indeed, said the old man, letting
fall tear, can never think Of being
happy until l know whether my child
Edith still lives, or what has become Of
her.
Ho, then you have daughter ?
/ had a daughter-to know that !
have one, and that she is still fair, and
good, and happy, would be worth more
han all the blessings you so lavishly
oestow upon me, to know that is all ]
ask of Heaven-then would be content
to die
'But how did you lose sight of your
child?
%, it would take too long story to tell
you that ! The poor things mother
married me against the will of her IA
mily, who hated me because | was poor.
But l was fortunate in my business, and,
in the course of time, | was able to in
viie my wife's proud parents to my own
house, and treat them as such people
ought to be treated. Edith was our
bird child, and all the dearer because
she came late to fill the places of broth
ar and sister who, one after the other.
lad been taken from our hearts, and laid
n the grave. When she was thirteen
years old a failure Of a large firm, 10
which my fortunes, and my reputation,
we're staked, swept away everything |
lad earned, and left me penniless. In
he midst of my trouble my poor wife
lied, and necessity compelled me to com
nit Edith TO the care of her grandparents.
,, the sorrow Of that time said the old
nan, weeping again. To forget it, and
'etrieve my fallen fortune, made a
7oyage to the East Indies. 1t would
axe all night to tell you what chances
,efell me, on sea and land. Let all that
PASS. 1t is enough to say that after an
absence of twenty years, ! returned with
broken health, and poor as when | went
abroad. Then commenced search for
my child; but her grand parents bad
been dead many years-she had been
brown upon the world. could find no
me to tell me what had become of her
10 one had remembered her even
And is it so necessary to your hap
,iness that you should find her ? asked
Mr. Upton. Consider how changed
he is by this time, if indeed she still
ives
/ have thought of that sighed Ro-
,er but o, she was the sweetest girl
t l could but find her as l left her,
tiki child, then my cup of happiness
would be full
The merchant arose smiling, noble
,rowed, and radiant with the inspiration
hat filled him.
Have faith ? be cried, have faith,
nd miracles may yet be performed. /
ave a power do to good beyond anything |
,et conceived. Speak the word, and it
hall be done. Shall | restore your
hid?
He looked, and spoke, like prophet.
The old man was thrilled and awed. His
ps moved with a feeble murmur; and
n the instant open few door at the |
merchants touch, and, in the full food
f light from the astral lamp, stepped the
,raceful form of a young girl, fresh, and
lad with bright curls ripping over her
ead and neck.