The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1864-05-11

humble cottage, invited him to enter
He complied, and scene of poverty and
neatness met his gaze which he had new
er before witnessed. The furniture con.
sisted of nothing more than was actually
necessary, was so clean and neat, that it
cast an air of comfort all around. A veu-
eratle old man sat by the window, staff
in hand. His clothes were whole but so
patched that they seemed the counterpart
of Joseph's coat of many cclors.
"This is your father, presume" said
he addressing her.
at is, sir"
"He seems quite aged"
"He is in his eighty-third year,and has
survived all his children bat myself"
"Have you always resided here :"
"No sir; my husband was once wealthy
but indorsing ruined him, and we were
reduced to this state. He soon after died
and two of my children followed him"
"Have you any children lving?"
"One sir, who is my only support
Ny own health is SO feeble that | cannot
do much. and my father being blind and
deaf needs a great deal of attention. My
son will no: tell me how much his salary
| is, but / am sure he sends me near Y all
of it."
Then he is net at home ?"
''No sir, he is a clerk in New York"
"Indeed! Pray what is his name?"
"Weston May"
"Westoa May Is it possible. Why
he is clerk. left him in charge of my
store only two weeks ago.
Explanations followed, and Mr. Day
ton soon left promising to call some otn-
er time.
"Noble fellow" said he mentally, as
he was riding slowly along, and ruminat-
ing upon the call. Noble fellow. be.
Iieve he loves MY girl, and he may have
her and part of my money too. Let me
see," here be fell into thinking mood
and BY the time he reached home, he
formed a plan which he determined to
execute. How it terminated we shall see.
Full of his new plan, he entered the
breakfast room where Laura was awaiting
bis appearance.
$50 Weston is going to England" said
he carelessly.
"Sirr' SAID Laura, dropping her coffee
cup, going to England p
ITO be sure; what of it, child p
"Nothing-only-I-we shall be rath-
er lonesome" replied she, vainly endeaV-
Oring to repress her tears.
Come, come Laura, tell me do you
love Weston? You never deceived me,
don't do it now"
"NO; well II do love him most SIN
cerely"
81 thought SO I thought so,' replied
he, as be left the room.
"Westen," said he as he entered his
store, "you expect to 60 into the country
shortly, do you 2"
Eyes sir, in about four weeks"
"If it would not be inconvenieut, I
wish you would defer it few weeks
louger," said Mr. Dayton.
81 will sir, with pleasure, if it will
Oblige you"
1T will oblige me greatly for Laura is
to be married in about six weeks, and |
wish you to attend the wedding"
Laura married. said Weston, starting
as if shot; Laura married {"
''To be sure. What ails the boy Z"
Nothing, sir, only it was rather sud
den-unexpected."
at is rather sudden but I am an old
man and wish to see her have protector
before I die l am glad you can stay to
the wedding" |
Indeed, sir, I cannot stay" said Wes-
ton, forgetting what he had just said
''Yeu cannot Why, you just now
said yon would"
Eyes sir but my business requires my
presence, and l must 60"
But you said you would stay with
pleasure"
Command me in anything else, sir,
but in this l cannot oblige you"
"Wesson, tell me frankly, do you love
my girl 7"
"Sir!" Weston seemed like one wax.
ing from a dream.
do YOU love my girl?"
II do, sir"
"Vill you give me your mother for
her 7" Mr.. Dayton spoke earnestly
my mother! what do you know of
her 2"
Mr.. Dayton repeated the incident al
ready related, aud in conclusion said:
"And now, boy, | have written to your
mother and offered myself, and she has
accepted ; what have you to say"
''That | am the happiest fellow on
earth and proud to call you father" re-
piled the young man with joyful face.
A few weeks after double wedding