Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1869-07-08

ture, consisting of nothing more than
was actually necessary, was so clean
and neat that it cast an air Of COM
fort all around. A venerable old
man sat by the window, with his
staff in his hand. His clothes were
whole, but they seemed counter
part of Joseph's coat of many colors.
"This is your father, I presume"
said he, addressing her.
ut is, SIR"
"He seems quite aged"
"He is in his eighty-third year,
and has survived all his children but
myself"
"Have you always resided here??"
"No sir; my husband was once
wealthy, but indorsing ruined him,
and we were reduced to this state.
He soon after died, and two of my
children followed him."
slave you any children living?"
zone, sir, who is my only support.
My own health is SO feeble that !
cannot do much; and father, being
blind and deaf, needs great deal OF
attention. My son will not tell me
how much his salary is, but / AN
sure he sends me nearly all of it,"
"Then he is not at homer"
ono, sir, he is clerk in New
York"
"Indeed! Pray, what is his name?'
"Weston May"
"Weston May! Is itpossible? Why,
he is my clerk. left him in charge
of my store only two weeks ago."
Explanations followed; and Mr..
Dayton soon left, promising to call at
some other time.
"Noble fellow" said he mentally,
as he was riding slowly along, and
Illuminating upon the call. "Noble
fellow! l believe he loves my girl;
and he may have her, and part of
my money, too. Let me sees" and
he fell into reverie; and by the
time he reached home he formed a
plan which he determined to exc
cute. How it terminated we shall
see.
Full of his new plan, he entered
the break fast-roOm, where Laura was
waiting his appearance.
$50 Weston is going to England"
said he carelessly.
"Sir!" said Laura, dropping her
coffee-cup, "going to England?"
"To be sure; what of it, child?"
neutrality-suspicious. shall be
rather lonesome" replied she, vain
ly endeavoring to repress her tears.
"Come, come, Laura, tell me, do
you love Weston?, You never de-
ceived me; don't do it now"
"No; well IL do love him most
sincerely"
81 thought sop replied he as he
left the room.
"Weston," said he, as he entered
the sore, "you expect to go into the
country shortly, do you?"
eyes, sir, in about four weeks"
Gift would not be announcement, !
wish you would defer it a few weeks
longer" said Mr.. Dayton.
81 will, sir, with pleasure, if it will
oblige YOU"
"It will oblige me greatly, for Lau-
"a is to be married in about six weeks;
and wish you to attend the wed.
ding.
Laura married." said Weston,
starting as if shot; "Laura married!'
"To be sure. What ails the boy"'
"Nothing sir; only it was rather
sudden-unexpected."
ut is rather sudden; but ! am an
old man, and wish to see her have
protector before / die. am glad
you can stay to the wedding"
"Indeed, sir, cannot stay" said
Weston, forgetting what he had just
said.
"You cannot! Why you just now
said you would"
eyes, sir; but my business requires
my presence, and l must CO."
"But you said you would with
pleasure"
command me in anything else
but in this / cannot oblige YOU"
"Weston, tell me frankly, do you
love my girl?"
"Sir!' Weston seemed like one
waking from a dream.
"Do you love my girl?"
II do, SIR"
evil you give me your mother
for herr" Mr.. Dayton spoke earn
estly.
"My motherI what do you know
of herr"
Mr.. Dayton repeated the incident
already related, and in conclusion
said,
"And now, boy, have written to
your mother and offered myself, and
she has accepted; what have you to
say?"
"That / am the happiest fellow on
earth, and proud to call you father"