The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1867-09-19

but neither spoke.
And others came running to the
scene but uone tried to stay the fame.
And the effort would have been useless
had it been made for the old shell
burnt like tinder. But more still--no
one would have made the effort, even
had success been evident, for the mis-
cradle hut had too long occupied one
of the fairest spots in the village.
There were no other places to be en-
dangered, so they let the thing burn.
You have your money, said Ag-
! nes.
Yes, see, I took the trunk. I left
tho candle burning so that could
watch it, But I went to sleep and the
candle must have fallen over. But l
got tho trunk And as he spoke he
held it up and gazcd upon it by the
light Of the glpring ruins.
That Is not the trunk y whispered
Agnes in alright.
Not But the Old man spoke
no further. He cav that he had taken
the wrong trunk This was only filed
with cid deeds and rusty receipts.
Ruined d! lost J! groaned Noah Bre-
man, as he turned from the scattered
embers. 1 had fifty thousand dollars
in that trunk and where are they
now
Never mind said Agnes, winding
her arm about her fathers neck We
shall be happy without it
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What uttered Noah Brennan. gaz-
ing into Walter Adams face. Do you
mean that you will provide for me and
keep me p
Yes interrupted the youth, hope-
fully. I could never be happy with
Agnes, much as l love her, if 1
thought her poor old father had no
home. Come-we'll live together, and
be as happy as the days are long
But your salary young man ?
Is sufficient for us sir. l have
Eve hundred dollars a year. We can
live we'll on that and lay up some
thing too
well, well--take her-love her--be
good to her--make her happy don't
nover-'
When the old man saw the Joyous
tears leap from his child's eyes he turn
ed away and walked quickly from the
house but be was not so quick but he
heard the blessings that followed him.
And When he walked alone beneath the
starry heavens ho wiped his own eyes
as though something troubled them.
Gay as lark, was gentle, beautiful
Agnes when she became the wife of
Walter Adams. The rose bloomed
again upon her cheek, and the smiles
were upon her happy face like sunshine
all the day long.
do you pray to God to help you to
love me now 7? the old man asked after
he had lived with Walter soma
months.
'Why-what do you mean p Agnes
asked in surprise.
'Yon used to pray so, for I have
heard you returned Noah.
A moment the young wife gazed in.
to her parent's face, and then she an
swered, while she threw her arms
about his neck
ooh ! I pray that you may be spared
to us for long years in peace and hap
piness but-love your Oh II could
not help i: if l should try. And Wal
ter loves you father--he loves you very
much for he has told me so many
| times
There was something more than us.
ual in the old mau's eye now.
One evening, as the happy trio sat
at the tea table, Walter looked more
thoughtful than was his wont.
'What is it love = Agnes asked.
'Oh-nothing,' the husband said,
with asmile. I was thinking
But Of what?
'Only castle building, that's ALL
In the air, Walter p asked Noah.
'Yes-very high in the air. the
young man returned with laugh.
But tell US what it is
Well-Td az lief tell you as not.
Mr.. Osgood is to retire from our firm
in few days. He is we'll advanced
in years, and has made a fortune in
the business, and will live for comfort
and health alone. He has not been
very we'll of late years
'And is that all ?
'No. I am to be advanced to the
post of head ok.keeper, with sal
| airy of twelve hundred dollars
fAnd il that all =
'Yes.'
'But what castle in the air is there
about that 7
'Oh-that isn't the castle
'Then what is the castle = urged
the old man, playfully:
'Why-simply this said Walter
laughing, but yet almost ashamed to
tell it: This noon Mr.. Osgood patted
me on the shoulder, and said he in
his playful way Walter, III sell you.
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