Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1865-03-02
5Rlett Iale.
A PERILOUS JOURNEY.

What / haye-Wlte, position, mdepen-
dence-I owe to an opportunity for exercis-
ing the very simple and unpretending com
bination of qualities that goes by tire name
Of ability. But to my story.
My father was a wealthy country gentle
man, of somewhat more than the average
Of intelligence, and somewhat more than
the average of generosity and extravaganza.
His Younger brother, a solicitor in large
practice in London would in vain remon-
Strate as to the imprudence of his course.
Giving freely, spending freely, must come
to an end 1t did and at twenty was a
weIl-educated gentlemanly pauper The
investigation of my fathers affairs showed
that there was one shilling and sixpence in
the pound for the whole of his creditors, and
Of course nothing for me
The position was painful. was half ell
gaged-that is, | had gloves, flowers, a
ringlet, carte de visite of Alice Morton
That of course must be stopped.
Mr. Silas Morton was not i'll pleased at
the prospect of an alliance with his neigh
bor Westwood's son while there was an ex-
pectation of a provision for the young
couple in the union of estates as we'll as
persons but now, when the estate was
gone, when l. Guy Westwood, was shilling
less in the world, it would be folly indeed
Nevertheless | must take my leave
Well, Guy, my lad, bad job this very
bad job thought he was safe as the bank
Would not have believed it from any one
not from any one OF course all that
nonsense about you and Alice must be stop.
ped now Pm not hard man, but can't al
low Alice to throw away her life in the
poverty she would have to bear as your
wife; can't do it; wouldn't be the part Of
father if did"
suggested | might in time
Time, sir time How much She's
nineteen now. You're brought up to moth
ing know nothing that will earn you a
sixpence for the next six months. and vor
talk about time. Time, indeed keep he,
waiting till she's thirty, and then break heI
heart by finding it a folly to marry at all.
"Ah ! Alice, my dear, Guys come to sa,
Goodbye : he sees, with me, that his al
tered position compels him, as an honorabl
man, to give up any hopes he may hav
formed as to the future"
He left us alone to say Farewell p
word too hard to say at our ages. Of cours
we consulted what would be done To Civ,
each other up, to bury the delicious past
that was not to be thought of We woulC
be constant, spite of all | must gain
position and papa would then help u.s.
Two ways were open: a commission il
India, place in my uncles office. Which
was for the commission, Alice for the off
ce. A respectable influential solicitor
position not to be despised ; nothing bu
ceverness wanted and my uncle's name
and no one to wait for; no liver complaints
. No Sepoys no sea voyages and no Ion,
separation.
Oh, I'm sure it is the best thing"
agreed, agreed, not unnaturally the
mat It was the best
Now, you young people, you've ha
time enough to say Goodbye so be of
'uy. Here, my lad you'll need something
To start with" and the old gentleman pu
INTO my hands note for fifty pounds.
must beg, sir, that you will not ii
SuIt--r
,, God bless the boy Insult VII
I've; I'VE danced you on my knee hundreds {
Illnes Look you, Guy and the old fe
low come up and put his hand on m
"nouder-" 1t gives me pain to do what
; ai uolhg believe for both our sakes
- OeSt you should part Let us part a