Litchfield enquirer., 1863-07-16
Alisfellanp,
John Clark and his Fortune.

one was bright little thing, only twenty years old and how brightly she shone "a star amid so sombre a company.
 "But what in the world has he left me ? mqttered John Clark. II believe he hated me |-I believe they all hate mel"
 "Hush, dear!" said his wife.
 "I bequeath to John Clark, my dearly be. loved nephew" read the grim attorney, as a reward for his frmness in resisting temptat ton tion to improve in all acceptable things, my one-horse chaise, which has stood in my barn more than twenty-five years, requesting that he will repair it in suitable manner" That was all Some of the people who were present, Uttered, and all seemed to enjoy the confusion of the young man. His eyes flashed fire, be trembled excessively; poor little Jenny fairly cried.
 "1o think" she said to herself, chow hard he has tried to be good, and that is all he thought of it."
 Wish you joy" said red-headed youth, with broad grin, as he came out of the room
 John sprang up to collar the fellow, but a lily white hand laid on his arm restrained him.
 :" Let them triumph, John it won't hurt you." said Jenny, with her sunny smile "pray don't notice it for my sake"
 "Served him right for marrying that ignor- ant goose of a Jenny Brazier," said Susan Spriggs-the niece of the old man just dead, and to whom he had left good deal of bis money. suppose he speculated a good deal on the old mans generosity" To which she added in whisper that only her own heart heard-" He might have had mes he had 8 chance and loved him better than any one else-better than that pretty simpleton, Jen- ny Blazler."
 "Now we shall see how deep his goodness is,' said maiden aunt. "He became very pious just because he expected fortune from my poor brother; but we shall see how much of change there is in John Clark. He al- ways was an imp of wickedness.''
 Well, think John Clark will have to be contented with his little cottage" said the fath CT of Susan Spriggs, to good old Joe Hemp.
 "Well, think he is content; if he ain't he ought to be, with that little jewel Of wife, was Joe's reply.
 "Pshaw you are all crazy about that gal" said Spriggs. Why, she ain to be compared to my Susan. Susan plays on the forty piano like sixty, and manages house first rate. '" Bless you, neighbor Spriggs, I'drather have that innocent, blooming face to smile on me when wake up mornings, than all the forty piano gals"
 "Id like to know what you mean ?' exclaim- ed Mr. Spriggs, firing up.'
 "Just what. l say, .replied good old Joe coolly.
 Well, that John Clark will die on the gal fully. o''
 That John Clark will make one of our best men yet" replied Joe.
 i" Doubt it," said Spriggs
 kn do T that's pretty way to build up young fellow isn't it, when he is trying his; best? No, John Clark won't be a good man if you can help it. People that cry mad dog are plaguey willing to stone the animal while he's running, and if he aint mad they re sure to drive him so. Why don't you step up to him and -sJohn, Pm glad you're going right now, and I've got faith in you: and if you want any help come to me and I'll assist you.' That's the way to do the business. MT. Spriggs."
 Well, hope you'll do it, that's all, repli- cd Mir. Spriggs."
 II hope Ishall, and I'm bound to do so if I have chance. Fact is, he's lgot such smart little wife that he dop't really need any help"
 |" No, 'tis pity then that brother Jacob left him that one Horse chaise."
 You needn't laugh at that old Jacob nev- CT did anything without meaning to it. That old chaise may help him to be great yet Fact IS, l think myself if Jacob had left him money it might have been the ruin of him. Less things than one horse chaise have made mans fortune.
 We'll, I'm glad you think so much of him i; l don't," said Spriggs.
 Mo-" muttered Joe as his neighbor turned away "bqt if he'd married your raw boned darter that plays on the forty pianner, he'd been all right"
 "A one horse chaise, said Spriggs, laughing =" what fortune P
 And so it went from mouth to mouth. None of the relatives-some of them already rich had offered the poorest man among them fthe owner of the one horse chaise, any of the be- queathment left to him or her. but they had rather rejoiced at his disappointment.
 The truth is, everybody had prophesied that John Clark, poor motherless boy, would come to ruin. and they wanted tue prophecy to be a true one, He had, in youth, been wild and Yayward, and somewhat profigate in the early years of bis manhood but his old uncle had encouraged him to reform-held out hopes to which he had hitherto been stranger; and the love of the sweet young Jenny Br con- pleted. as it seemed his reformation.
 Jenny never appeared so lovely as she did on that unfortunate day of the reading of the will after they had returned to the poor little house that was yenny's own.
 No matter, John," she said cheerfully, you will rise in spite of them. I wouldn t let them think that was in the least discoura- ged that would please them too well. We are doing fine now; and you know, if they cut the railroad through our little bit of land the money will set us ID quite comfortably. Isn't our home happy one if it is small and oh
 An eloquent blush--a glance toward her work basket. out of which peeped the most delicate needle work, told the story-that eyer new story of innocence, beauty and helpless ness.
 For one, John Clark stopped the gossip s mouth. He held his head up manfally- work ed steadily at his trade, and every step seemed 3 sure advance and an upward one
 Baby was just six months old when the rail- way company paid into John Clarks hand g very handsome sum for the privilege ot cutting . railway through his little field.
 s.A handsome baby, beautiful and industri- ou wife, and good round sum from the rail. way company,'' thought John with honest ex. ulr ation; well this is liying.''
 John." said bis wife. rising from her york ( look there r F i7,1 Ii ~ 1'''
 He did, and saw the one-horse chsise drar- A~, atn ny~-Aw u-k