The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1867-11-02
Misfell
THE THREE BROTHERS.
TALE OF UNION AND DIsUNIoH.
BY J. =. rRowBRIpeE.
nAAT n

| FAINT 10
The merchant Of Milbrook, dying. left
three sons to inherit his estate. This was
the most valuable property in the village,
consisting fan extensive. country store
the only one in that place-a handsome
farm, and very excellent grist.mill.
On his death bed, the merchant called
his three sons to his side, and said:
81 am about to die; and ! shall have
made myself ready to leave this world In
peace, when l have given you the advice
Of an old and experienced man, and fa'h.
er's blessing. ....
81 leave you considerable property which
hopo YOU will know how to appreciate
and enjoy. take the moro pleasure in be.
slowing upon you this fruit Of rny industry,
since have the satisfaction Of feeling that,
In accumulating wealth, have never
knowingly wrongcd living being. nor ever
deviated from The path Of rectitude. And,
oh my sons, consider, now, what a heavy
burden of guilt upon my soul this wealth
would be at this time, did my conscience
tell mo It had been purchased at tho ex.
pense Of my own uprightness and the hap
piness OF my fellow beings Consider, too,
how much better it would be to die In bon
es, poverty. than in the midst Of ill.got
riches and, In all your dealings with man
kind, remember the earnest counsel Of q
dying father ; be just to your neighbor, and
keep your conscience Clean"
Alter giving ulterance to much moro adj
vice Of the same description, to which his
sons listened to with pious attention, tho
old man said:
"I have male my win, according TO the
best OF my Judgement, and in the sinccnty,of
my love. In this have not considered tho
interest off one more that Of another and ]
nm sure you will respect your fathers
memory too much to murnur at his last
worldly dispensation."
The young men joined in assurance Of
veneraiion for the old man, love for each
other, and pious submission to his will.
Then the merchant Of Milbrook continued (:
"Yo,l, Richard. my firstborn-the helov-
ed Of your mother, whom am ngoing to
Join in another world-you, for whom ]
first experienced fathers JOY and she a
mothers tender,ess-You have a Just
claim to be considered first"
Richard pressed the old mans hand, and
Joseph and James bowed nsilent ucknowl-
edgement Of their father justice.
'To you, Richard" pursued tho old man,
"l give the tarm, with everything pertain.
ing TO It. except the land on the further
side Of the slream, which think should
properly belong to the mill, You have a
sanguine temperament, Richard; you are
fond Of mir and exercise; and | am sure
the action Of farmers life will suit you
better than anything else. .
"You, Joseph, have mechanical genius.
You have always taken delight in the ma
chinery about The mill, for the management
Of which you are well suited. According.
ly have given il to you with all its depend
cics, and The land belonging to 1t.
"You. my dear James, have talent for
trade. You shall be merchant after your
father. The store and the village lots
which naturally 80 with Il, give all to
you. ..
aAnd now, o my sons, hear my last
counsel Although your property is diym-
ed, let not your hearts I've divided also. La
bor together and for your mutual good, as
you have always done ill now United
you will always be strong; divided, the
world will discover your weakness-No my
dear sons, be no, divided. Richard shalt
raise grain in abundance, and he shall share
il with his brothers for Joseph shall
grind il, and James shall offer his store free
ly to both. And so may ye live, 0 my
sons in love, in integrity, in mutual faith,
and 80 may Heaven bless you, as bless
you now,"
The death Of old Richard Blame took
place in the old family mansion, which ap.
pcrtained to the store, and which now be-
came the property Of James, tho younger
son. Here the brothers had always lived,
and here they continued to live after the
merchants death for James would not
permit either Richard or Joseph to leave
him, although both the farm aud mill es-
tate boasted OF houses almost as comfort
able to live in rs that belonging to tho
store.
"No, my boys," James would, say, "you
must not leave the old family mansion az
long rs we al remain bachelors. You are
within quarter Of a mile Of your farm
Richard, near enough, you are such walk
or and Rm sure II is better to give up tho
entire farmhouse to your tenants, than to
think Of going to live there yourself. And
Us for you, Joe. am sure that with so good
miller IN your employment as Mr.. Mitch.
ell, and SO large family in your house a.
he supports, you may be contcnted to re-
main here for the present. think that we
will be happier together than we eau ever
I've separated and now, If you like, will
make bargain with you. We will live
here as long as We remain oil bachelors,
and the one who takes wife homo first
shall take his brother, with him Also"
The young men agreed to the PROPOSE.
ton, aud laughed at II, too for Il really
seemed absurd to think Of three such con.
firmed old bachelors ever taking unto
themselves wives. Indeed, James named
this condition merely to keep his brothers
with him always; and they, understanding
It 70, kindly humored his conceit.
For five years. Richard,, Joseph, and
James lived together in the most perfect
peace and happiness, 20 the marvel Of all
Nlllbrook, and more especially Of the excel.
lent old housekeeper. She declared that
she had never in her wide experience, seen
anything like the love Of those brothers.
Meanwhile. the farm fiourisled, the mill
ground out grists Of gold, and plentiful
were the profits Of The merchants trade.
PART u.
In many things tho brother rescmbleh
each other but still no two was much |
alike.
Richard, the farmer, was of medium |
height. muscular and Of q rnddy complex.
ion. he was considered by ladies' Of taste |
to be the handsomest ofthe three brothers. |
He was naturally quick tempered, hasty in
spccch. generous In his friendship and oPen.
" bitter In his enmity.
Joseph, the miller, was tall, athletic,
with rouud shoulders, thin checks, mass
i've forehead, and a thoughtful blue eye. |
He was nervous in his motions, sensitive |
in his feelings, profound In thought; but
he differed most from Richard In tho per.