Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-11-16
The farmer stood up like a man,
onk Samneps hand and his wife and

The farmer stood up like man,
took Samuels hand and his vile s,ano
said in broken voice: Lucy, too,
ask you to forgive him, and ask you
both to be good friends to each oth-
er."
Susan dissolved in tears. kissed all
of them in turn; but the happlest
heart there was Jacobs.
1t was now easy for him to confde
to his wife the complete story OF his
troubles, and to find his growing self
reliance strengthened by her qulcK,
intelligent sympathy. The Pardons
were better friends than ever, and the
fact, which at first created much as
toniShment in the neighborhood, that
Jacob Flint had really gone on Jour-
ney and brought home handsome
wife, began to change the attitude OF
the people towards him. The old
place was no longer lonely; the near
est neighbors began to drop in and
insist on return visits. Now that ia
cob kept his head up, and they got
fair view of his face, they discovered
that he was not lacking, after all, In
sense or social qualities.
In October, the Whitney place, which
had been leased for several years,was
advertised to be sold at public sale.
The owner had gone to the city and
became a successful merchant, had
outlived his local attachments, and
now took advantage of rise in real
estate to disburden himself ofpropeI-
ty which he could not profitably con-
troll.
Everybody from far and near attend
ed the sale, and when Jacob Flint and
his father arrived, everybody said to
the former: "Of course YOU'VE come
to buy, Jacob" But each man laugh
ed at his own smartness, and consid-
cred the remark original with him.
self.
Jacob was no longer annoyed. He
laughed, too, and answered: "Im
afraid can't do that; but I've kept
half my word, which is more than
most men do"
"Jake's no fool, after all, y was whis-
pered behind him.
The bidding commenced, at first
very spirited, and then gradually slack
ened of, as the amount gradually rose
beyond the means Of the neighboring
farmers. The chief aspirant was a
stranger, a we'll dressed man with a
lawyers air, whom nobody knew
After the usual long panses and pas
sionate exhortations the hammer fell,
and the auctioneer, turning to the
stranger, asked, What name 2
Jacob FlintT
There was a general cry of surprise.
All looked at Jacob, whose eyes and
mouth showed that he was as dumb
founded as the rest.
The stranger walked coolly through
the midst OF the crowd to Samuel
Flint and said: When shall | have
the papers drawn up?"
"As soon as you can," the old man
replied; then seizing Jacob by the
arm with the words, Lets 60 home,
now r he hurried him off.
The explanation soon leaked out.
Samuel Flint had not thrown away
his wealth, but had put it out of his
own hands. it was given privately
to trustees, to be held for his son and
returned when the latter should have
married with his fathers consent
There was more than enough to buy
the Whitney place.
Jacob and Susan are happy in their
stately home, and good as they are
happy. If any person in the neigh
borhood makes use of the phrase,
Jacob Flint's Journey he intends
thereby to symbolic the good fortune
which sometimes follows honesty,
reticence, and shrewdness.