The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1866-10-18

by means of which he achieved success.
Enough tha. at last he esteemed himself
TO have reached it. He was rich man,
we'll known in financial circles; and a
term in Congress had given him right
to the title of honor upon his letters.
"Pretty WE'LL" he said after all these
memories had passed like long pano-
rama before him-"pretty well for old
Tim Scarborough's bound boy. I think
may call my life success"
And, if surroundings earthly and tenn
poral are the standard of measurement,
you would not have pronounced him far
wrong had you glanced about the apart
ment, half study, half breakfast room,
where he had just been taking his morn
ing meal. To be gentleman had been
one of his ambitions, and as soon as he
was able to live elegantly, he had sur
rounded himself with the appliances of
luxury. On the floor of this his favorite
| room, soft, warm carpet yielded like
woodland moss to his football. Hand
somely bound books filled the cavern
cases from floor to ceiling. Chairs up
holstered in Russia leather held out capa-
cious arms to him. His breakfast service
was of silver and porcelain, and at the
least touch of that bell beside him, itself
a dainty toy, trained servants were ready
to obey his behests.
These things to-day-and, back Gfty
years, the little three-roomed cottage the
mother pale and weary, but tender, and
himself barefooted, coarsely clad, but
young and strong and eager, hopeful, and
with all the futures possibilities before
him. Was he richer now?
A tap upon the door elicted a half un-
gracious "come in, for he was not yet
ready to break the spell of his own
thoughts. He had traced the career of
that barefooted dreamer oc fifty years ago
to the present standpoint Of tie Hon.
Pierce Richmond. He wanted to look
onward little, and speculate whether
any more ground remained to be possessed.
But when he saw the new conner he
reused himself at once from his dreams,
and became the alert, watchful man of
business. It was his confidential agent,
Solomon Osgood, who was charged with
experimenting his real estate and collect
ing his rents 1t was the first of the
month now, and there were accounts
to be rendered in. They seemed sat
isfactory for the most part; but at last
Mr.. Richmond said in an iEquiring
tone
"And the widow Mafit 2"
eyes, was going to speak about her.
l hope you will be willing to wait little
for her rent She has been in trouble" !"
"Hum! Yes! So she was last month,
and the month before that Mr.. Rich
mond said rather curtly.
"Very true,' the agent answered grave
ly.
"Last month her little Jack died, and
the month before that he was very sick ;
and now the only one she has left>seems
trying to follow in his brothers footsteps.
Sickness brings deal of expense, and
comes hard on poor folks"
Mr.. Richmond considered a little !;
then said with quiet determination
81 don't want to be unfeeling, Osgood,
so I'll say plainly thas don't want such
| tenants. Giving in charity is one thing.
and renting houses is another. When l
want to give [ can give; but want the
interest on my investments; when it comes
to matter of business"
"IH be security for Mrs. Mafit-you
shan't lose by her." the agent remarked
in the tone OF one wounded little. His
employer looked at him curiously
you're philanthropist, Mr.. Osgood,' -
he said, with smile rather satirical, yet
not altogether unkindly. "I don't care
| about your undertaking the burden of my
bad debts. Seven children, and wife
none too strong, are about as big load
as you can carry. Didn't [ say you
| needn't send the woman off, now? Let
her stay on, through March, whether she
pays or not and see if you can't find me
another tenant by the first of April"
"Thank you, sir, as. to Mrs. Mafits
part of your remark" Mr.. Osgood an
swered. GAS for that about me and mine,
I think, Mr.. Richmond, if you had the
same burden to carry, you'd find ii
about the pleasantest one you ever bent
| under"
There was an air of sincerity in his
manner, beam of secret delight in his
| look, which fingered with the Hon. Pierce
Richmond after his agent had gone away.
He wondered if there were, indeed, SO
much blessedness In family ties-if it
were good for a man to have wife and
mouths to look out for. And, so specu-
lating, the bi6terest memory Of his whole
life came back to him-the one sole time
since his mothers death when he had
loved some being beyond and apart from
himself. 1t was score of years ago, and
he was forty-two then, and she-the loved
one just twenty. He met her in lodg-
ing house, where he had fashionable
suite of irst-foor apartments, and where
she, lodging in the attic, used now and
then to meet him on the steus or in the
hall, until he learned to think that day
dark, lit by no gleam of her dun gold hair
! How well he remembered the face. sweet