The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1869-04-16
At the end of another year he returned

elgnt, anu Few VINO knew MIN TWO years
before could recognize him now. His
fhcc was bronzed by exposure, his checks
full and plump, his frame stout, strong
and erect. His muscular system was no
bly, developed, and among the men were
few who could stand before him In trials
of physical strength. When he first left
the city two years before, he had weighed
just one hundred and thirty pounds avoir-
dupoise. He now brought up the beam
fairly, ut one hundred and seventy
six. Surely he was new man in every
respect. ......
| On the afternoon of the third day. rs he
entered the hotel, Que of the walters hand
ed him letter. He opened 1t and found
1t to be a letter from Mr.. Wilton. It was
n request that he would call at the mer-
chants house ut nine o'clock that evening
"Geosrc." said the doctor, after Bonton
had shen, n full account of his adventures
while at seal "I should think you would
almost forgive poor Rowland for having
made of with your fortuneT'
"Forgive him!" returned George, "Oh!
did that In the first place."
"well, George" resumed the doctor,
"Mr. Rowland Is here; will you see himw
''See him9 See Charles Rowlandp or
course will!'
The door was opened and Mr.. Rowland
entered. He was an elderly gentleman,
but hale and hearty.
/ The old men shook hands, and then In
qulrcd after each others health.
"You received note fromIne some two
years ago." said Mr.. Rowland, sin which
| I stated that one In whom 1 trusted had
got your money, and mine with It,"
"Yes, sir" whispered Bonton.
"well," resumed Mr.. Rowland, "Dr.
Melville was the man. He had your mon
ey. and believe he has got it yet"
"How? WhatT' gasped George, gaz-
ing from one to the other in blank aston
ishment.
"Hold on, my boy" said the doctor,
while thousand emotions seemed at
work within his bosom. 81 was the vii
lain. 1t was who got your money. 1
worked your ruin my boy. And now lis
ten, and I will tell you why"
"I saw that you were dying. Your IA
ther died of the same disease. A con-
sumption was upon him-not regular
pulmonary affection; but wasting away
| of the system for the want Of vitality, oc-
casioncd by want Of proper, wholesome
food and physical exercise. The mind
was wearing on: the body. The soul was
slowly but surely eating its way nom the
cords that bound II to the earth. / knew
that you could be cured; and knew, too,
that the only thing In the world which
would cure you was to throw you upon
your own resources for q livelihood.
There was morbid willingness to pass
away. You would have died ere you
would have made an exertion, from the
FRI hat you looked upon exertion rs
= RltshaS5sath. 1t was 2 strange state
/ of both mind and body. Your fortune
was 'mple and rendered work unnecessa-
| nv, so there was no hope while fortune re-
mained. Had It been wholly bodily
| malady, could have argued you into the
| necessary work for cure. And OH the
other hand, had 1t been wholly mental
disease, I might have driven your body
to help your mind. But both were weak,
and knew that you must either work or
die. Ipreferred that you should do the
| former.
And now, my boy, I'll tell you where
my hope lay. knew that you possessed
such true pride of independence that you
would work. I saw Mr.. Rowland and
told him my plans. I assured him that If
we could contrivc to get you to sea for n
year or two, and make you start out into
active life, you could be saved. He Joined
me at once. l took your money and his
and bade him clear out. You know the
rest. And now tell me, my boy, II l give
you back your fortune will you forgive
mcY'
Forgive, doctor! yes, with all my
heart, for have you not taught me the ne
ccsslty and nobility of laborT
~ hope" continued the doctor, "thc
lesson you have learned will not soon be
forgotten. Your money Is safe-eyery
penny of 1.-THE amount of one hundred
and twenty thousand dollars. Poor Row.
land has suffered so much In knowing
how you looked upon him; but know
that he Is amply repaid by the sight OF
your noble, powerful frame, as he sees 1t
tonight"
1t was full hour before all the ques-
tions had been asked and answered; and
when the doctor and Rowland had been
forgiven and blessed for tho twentieth
time, Mr.. Wilton, who had been let into
the secret that evening, said: "Wait'"
He LEFT the room. and when he return
ed he led sweet Mary by the hand, look
Ing, If possible, more lovely than ever.
A few words suillced to explain to her
the ruin which had been practiced upon
her lover by the doctor and Mr. Rowland; |;
aus-Shilc she rcjolccd Mt the sudden turn
which had taken place in Mr.. Bonton's
prospects, she regretted that the return OF
his fortune would deprive her Of the ro-
mantle privilege Of marrying man who
earned his living by honest labor. Late
In the evening, aftcr the hearts of our
friends had fairly begun to grow tired Of
joy, George asked Mary how much longer
she was willing to "wait."
Her heart was too full for uttcrance; ;
but turning her face to his, with dreamy
smile and with sparkling eyes, which
spoke moro eloqucntly than words, he
read his answer. A few weeks after
there was a gay gathering Of friends at
Mr.. Wilton's. Mary Wilton was dressed
In white silk dress, and encircling her