Nebraska advertiser., 1868-04-02

the seaf-like thraldom which had bound
his father, for he had served his time
to the wheelright's business, and wa:
now in recep. of good weekly wages.
Still this did not removed the inequality
which in Mr. Worth's eyes existed be
tween the two families. In addition to
this obstacle, David had a half brother
named Reuben, and Mr.. Worth wa:
10Th that his daughter should ever cal
such a man as Reuben Dymond heI
brother-inlaw. So the young people
sighed for each other in secret, and ex-
changed mutual views Of affection how.
ever they happened as in the present
instance, to be for few moments alone
together.
i beg your pardon, SIR said David,
touching his hat respectfully, but think
you had better take your umbrella There 3
a storm coming up over yOnder.'
David was quite right. had been so
engrossed by my sermon that had taken
no note OF the threatening aspect of the
weather. l now perceived that huge
bank Of coppercolOred clouds had arisen
in the north east, and was slowly drift.
ing in direction against the lower current
of wind. So l accepted the kind OF
wheeIrlght's advise, and took my um-
brella. We then walked briskly away
together, followed by a tender glance
from Maria's eyes, which was more ell
oquent that a score of spoken farewells
On the road | questioned David con-
ceruing his fathers condition, aud learn.
ed that he was rapidly sinking. Some
months before, while engaged in his usua
field labor, he had been smlten with paral-
ysis. The strokn was very slight and after
an intermission Of week or two, he had
been able TO resume work; but since then
one shock had succeeded another with
inreasing violence. until it became eviden
that his earthly career was drawing to a
close.
Fathers very anxious to see you,
sir, and David, because he's afraid thai
before many days he may lose the use Oi
his tongue, as he has already lost the
use of his limbs He's gos little enough
to leave, poor soul, Heaven knows: but
he wants that little fairly divided 5etwixt
Reuben and me- You know that Ruben:
temper, sir, isn't always of The best?'
Indeed do, David [ answered. III
would be we'll lhat your father should
put his wishes in writing, if possible.
That's what was thinking, and now
is the best time to do it. l left Doctor
Webb in the cottage, and Reuben and
his wife viii be there by the time we
get back. l should like the will 20 be
made in the presence Of everybody whC
has anything to gain by 1t, with You, sir
and Doctor Webb, for witnesses, anC
then there can't be any disputes after
wards
Perhaps, David 1 said, 'it will save
time-anG time in the present case may
be especially precIous-lf ask you wha
sort of properly your father mas TO leave.
oh. nothing, sir, that gentle-folk'
would think it worth while to make any
stir about. The furniture's the principle
thing, and some of that, such as the
chest of drawers and the clock, l value
chiefly because they We been in the Dy.
mond family time out of mind. Ruben
and his wife will only think of the price
they'll fetch. And there's shelf ol
books, though mostly all religious books.
I'm afraid SAID l, smiling tha
poor Reuben won't dispute with yoI
about the books
NO, sir. l don't think he will. He's
better scholar than / am, but fathers
books arn't much TO his fancy
By the time we had reached the door
Of John Dymond' cottage, the sky had
grown very dark. and large heavy drops
the forerunners Of the deluge about to
follow, had begun to patter down.
was not sorry, therefore, that had listen
ed to David's advice and brought my um
brella.