Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1868-10-29

me now the old man asked after he had
lived with Walter rome months.
Why-what do you mean ! Agnes asked
in surprise.
You used to pray SO, sGsr heard you. re .
turned Noah.
A moment the young wife gazed into her
parents face. aud then she answered while
she threw her arms about his neck: a
Oh, l pray that you may be shared
to as for Ion 6 years in peace and but
love you I on. I could not help L if |
should try. And Walter loves yon father
he loves you very much, for be has told
me 90 many times
There was something more than usual In
the old mans eye now.
Ono evening as the happy trio sat at the
tea table, Walter looked more thoughtful
than was bic wont.
What 10 It love = Agnes asked.
o nothing the husband siad, with
smile. 1 was only thinking
But Of whatl'. i. - ~..s
'Only castle building, that's ALL .,'-...
In the air. Walter! asked Noah.
Yes very high in the air. the young man
r. turned with laugh.
But tell US what it is.
Well I'd as lief tell you ~ not. Mr..
Osgood is to retire from our firm in few
daye. He is we'll advanced in years and
has made fortune in the business. aud he
will live for comfort aud health alone. He
has not been very well Of late yeaIs.
Aud is that all !?
No. ain advanced to the post Of head
book keeper with a salary Of twelve hun
drcd dollars.
Aud is that all
Yes.
But what castle in the air is there
about that! -.-
@. that isn't the castle.
Then what is the castle ! urged tho old
man playfully.
WHY, simply this, said Walter. laugh
ing. but almos. ashamed to tell it. This
noon Mr.. Osgood patted me on the should
er and said, in his playful way, Wal
ter. III sell you all my interest here for fif-
ty thousand dollars.
Ha. ha. ha. laus he'd Noah Brennan, and
you thought he was in earnest
No, no, quickly returned the young man
| did not think that. though know the
other two partners would willingly have
had NE for all associate.
But it seems to me Osgood holds his
share in the concern at high price.
Oh, no. 1t is a very low one. There is
a clear capital Of one hundred and fifty
thousand dollars in the business at THIS mo-
meut. Aud then think Of all the standing
snd good will which goes for nothing.
Ha. ha, ha. laughed the old man again.
Then Walter laughed. and then Agnes
laughed and then they finished their sup
per.
On the next evening Walter Adams
came in and sat down on the sofa without
speaking. He was pale anl agitated, and
his eyes had avacant wondering stare.
Waiter cried Agnes. in terror, what
has happened
He's sick, muttered Noah Bremen, with
ont looking around
No, no.-not sick. returned the young
man starting up; but an the victim of O
miserable trAing.
Eth, how so asked old Nosh, now turn
ing in his chair.
III tell you said Walter, with spas
modic effort. had some long entries ia
post this evening. SO I remained i'll the
counting room after the rest were gOnc.-
was still at work when Mr Osgood came
in and placed some papers on my desk, say
ing as he did 60 - Hero Walter these arc
ysurs'. And then no went out. When
had finished my work opened the papers
The first was sort Of inventory OF what
Osgood had owned in the business. and foot
ed up. in square numbers, forty nine thou
paud eight hundred and seventy five dol
loars. The next paper was q deed convey
ing the whole vast propetvy to me aud max
ing me. partner in the concern upon
equal footing with the other two.
Well said the old man. humping his foot
upon the carpet and keeping time with hi'
hands, don't sec any thing very bad iu
that.
But do. replied Walter. 1t is cruel to
triAe with me thus.
There was something in Noah's eye
again, but he managed to get it out. and be
and spoke thus:
Walter Adams. when young men used
to hover about my child, believed they
were only after my gold. and know tina!
in most cases was correct. believed
the same of you. knew nothing but the
love of money that could underlie human
action. My heart had become hardened
by it, and my soul darkened. But it was for
nv sweet child to pour the light and
wamth into nv bosom. 1t was for her to
keep before mo the image Of that gentle
wife whom had loved and lost, but whc
occupied o place in that love second to my
gold. 1t was for my child to open gradu
ally but surely, the fount Of feeling which
had been for . life time sealed up. ! heard
her pray for me-pray that she might love
me-that she might have help from God ia
love me and that after had refused ia
let her be your wife. saw her grow pale
and sorrowful and knew had done it
and she loved me still. Still she prayed to
God to help her-help her what! lielI
her love her love her father! Twas killing
her and shc tried to smile upon me. One
evening heard you both conyersing in tht
old hut My child chose misery. with duty
to her father, rather than break that duty
| in union with a man she loved. And
YOU uttered prayer You prayed that
might be penniless-stop hear me through
| You would then show your disntercsted
ness. l walked away aud pondered.
Could it be that had found man who
would love AN old wreck like myself, Will
no money! If it was so. then that wou,t
break the layer Of crust from my soul.
had gained glimmering of light - my
heart had begun ts,grow warm and
prayed ferveutly that might not be dis
appointed.
Iwcnt to the bank and drew out fifty
thousand dollars in bills, That night my
miserable old hut was set on--or-a-
caught fire. ! shall always think twas my
candle did it. But the old shell burnt
down. and room was made for better
| building. ! came out with wrong trunk