The Grand Haven news., 1864-11-30

once yenturcu 10 INTRODUCE one into the
house but The deacon speedily intimated
bis dislike 10 cats, and puss had to be
banished.
One night Deacon Hnlbrook brought a
letter for his wife. It was such an un-
usual circumstance for the good woman
to receive a letter, that she took it eagerly
and tore it open with unwonted haste. -
What was iL that mnde her eyes sparkle
with joyi The familiar handwriting had
not deceived her. She knew it at once
by the particular flourish on top Of the
H, that il was from Henry. She read it
through with grateful joy. 1t was from
one Of the mining districts 10 California.
1t appeared that Henry had worked bis
passage, having no money; and leaving
the vessel at San Francisco, had proceed.
ed at once to the mines, where be was
now working. He had not been there
long enough to form an idea of what
were his chances Of success. He wished
his mother TO write, and promised to keep
her advised of his movements. There
was only one reference to his father. 1t
was this: " / am afraid father still retains
his bitterness towards me. If this is the
case, do not trouble him with any messa-
ges; but if otherwise, you may give my
dutiful regards, and say chat / do not
yet despair Of making myself a good and
true man. i 3"iHi
Deacon Holbrook did not look at his
wife while she was reading the letter,
though The handwriting must have told
him who it was from.
Joshua said his wife, timidly, using
the rarely mentioned Christian name Of
her husband, this letter is from Henry"
$50 ! suppose" said he coldly.
AS she spoke he took from his pock-
ct the Weekly Farmer, and adjusting his
spectacles, began to read This was a
hint, and so Mrs. Holbrook understood it,
that he did not care. to pursue the sub
ject further. But she could not help ask
ing, "Wouldn't you like 10 read Henry's
letter, Joshuar
"You will oblige me by not mention
ing his name again." said the deacon,
stify. I" He has forfeited all claims to
be son."
So days, months, and years passed.
1t lacked but month of five years since
Henry Holhrook left home. There was
little change in the grave, sober-looking
mansion of Deacon Holbrook. The dea-
con himself had failed moro in these five
years than in any five years preceding.
His form has lost its ancient erectness
and was bowed. His face had grown
more wrinkled, and he spent more time in
the house. Mrs. Holbrook received It'd
ings Of Henry at short intervals. He
was well and doing we'll, he wrote; but
did not enter into particulars. Sometime
he should return to see his mother. OF
his father he did not speak. These let
ters were all brought home from the vii
lage post-office by Deacon Holbrook, but
he never signified any curiosity 10 learn
the contents. Henry's name had not
been mentioned between the two for
years; and--yet let this not surprise the
reader--it would be hard to tell which
thought of him the most constantly. Be-
hind the deacon's taciturnity there beat a
heart, and that heart was more tender to
bis lost son than he would have been will
ling to confess.
All at once his life was broke in upon,
and that in most cruel manner. One
day he entered the house, his face as
pallid as sheet, his limbs tottering be-
meath him, his whole expression that Of
great and intolerable anguish.
"What is the matter, Deacon Hol-
brooke What is the matter, Joshua n
inquired bis alarmed wife.
Hannah, we are paupers, paupers in
our old age" said her husband bitterly.
"Good gracious what has happened,
Joshuai" asked the wife, turning pale
from sympathy.
Little by littlo it came out that Dea-
con Holbrook had become bondsman fol
a bank officer with whom he was well
acquainted, and in whose integrity he
had the utmost confidence. But today
the astounding intelligence had arrived
that the officer, after series of defalca.
tions, had fled from the country, and lefl
the bondsman to suffer. The amount fol
which the deacon had become bound was
sufficient TO swallow up the house and
farm--all, in fact, that he possessed. The
farm was not very valuable one. II
comprised sixty acres of rough sod, which
BY hard labor, had been made to suffice
for the moderate wants of small and
economical family. In the market il