The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1868-05-29
A Bachelors Story,
CHAPTER |,

| L.
Every one said | had been unfortunate
and there was no doubt about it in say
ing that, they said no more than the truth
In money, in family, in friends, i had beer
unfortunate and l found myself, at tht
| age OF thirty, thrown again upon the wide
world, with my fortune to make. Il is o
little consequence what was the nature Of
my mlsfortunes; suffice it they come upor
me unawares and all together, aud they lef
me changed and sober map. At my tim.
OF lite, 1t was not likely could change my
profession, had | wished it; the COLDER
prospect in the western world offered me-
no allurements-money was now second,
airy object those for whom had once de-
sired 1t were gone, and l stood upon the
earth solitary being, with only myself te
take thought for. Grave, old before my
time, l determined to form no new friends
nor new occupations, and therefore / &C.
copied an ofeg made me by former &C
qualntance, of assisting him in his and my
profession, the law.
Philip French was doing good business
In one ct the western towns; he knew my
circumstances, he would neither obtrude
his sympathy nor his presence; therefore
went to him. | vas to have rooms in his
house; he had been married many years,
but the rambling, old fashioned residence.
situated in the High Street of Siverton,
was larger than his family required, and
was offered TWO rooms in il. S'-sA
reached Silverton late one spring even
ing; the rain was dripping from the caves,
the streets were shining with wet and
lampight, and the few foot passengers hur
rled along the pavement to get out of the
raw atmosphere as soon as possible. Tax.
ing cab, l drove to Rolls house; food
OF cheerful light greeted me when the pom
derous oak door was opened, and Philip
himself came into the hall, and his deep,
Cheerful voice babe me welcome. went
into the drawing room; everything there
was cheerful from the bright fire, the gilt
tering tea things, the colored curtains, the
pretty pictures, and gay spring flowers,
down to the smiling face and flutterlng
draperies OF Philips pretty wife. Her
voice had caught the ring of his,-it, too,
was cheerful; and the blue eyes we're lio-
uid with content and happiness. As
looked around the tasty room, my heart
sank little; visions of room as tasty, oil
eyes as blue and bright, of voices as soft
and ringing. crowded to my mind. With a
sudden effort, however, l drove them
away, and set myself to make acquaintance
with my new hostess. ~
/. L had been week in my new abode, dur.
ing which time hadsbeen occupied in get
ting an insight into Philips business so
occupied, that | had had little time for
other thoughts, and was therefore taken
out Of myself, as it we're. -
One evening was sitting in my room,
studying, when slight knock at the door
caused me TO look up from my book, and
desire the person to enter. l confess to q
feeling of surprise when, instead Of the ser.
want | expected to see, there stood before
me a-ehild Of ten or eleven; her long hair
tell arouDa her shoulders in q kind of gold.
en- halo, her bright eyes glanced shyly q,
me. and, in a timid voice, che said, still
holding. the handle of the door: "Mamm,
says, Mr.. Morton will you give her the
pleasure of your company to tea in half an
hour?"
l had barely time to answer in the affirm.
ative. when the door closed, and l heard
bounding steps going back to The othe,