Middletown transcript., 1869-06-05
popular GALES.
A FORTUNATE RUIN.

| ShaE LEN
George Bonton sat in his room in hi
hotel. He was young man of twenty
six, tall and slender, with face of ex
traordinary intellectual beauty. He wa.
dressed in costly garments, though his
toilette was but indiffcrently performed
He was an orphan, and for some time had
lived at hotel. 1t required but single
glance into his pale features to tell that he
was an invalid. He sat with his head
resting upon his hands, and his whole
form tremblcd as though with some pow
erful emotion.
AS the youth sat thus, the door opened
and an elderly gentleman entered.
All, doctor, you are moving early
this morning." said Bonton, as he Ian
guidly rose from his seat and extended
his hand.
oh, not early for me George" re-
turned DR.. Melville, with bright smile
| am an early bird"
" Well, you have caught the worm this
time"
| hope it will prove a valuable one. !"
" don't know" sighed the youth. -
g l fear thousand worms will inhabit
this poor body ere long"
" Nonsense, you're worth half CEN
tury yet" cried the doctor, giving him
gentle slap on the shoulder " But tell
me, George, how is it with Rowland ?"
:" just as | told you. All is gone"
&C | don't understand it, George"
" Neither do l." said the young man,
sorrowfully. THAT Charles Rowland
could of done That thing 4 could -uat. l,sve
believed. Why, had an angel appeared
to me two weeks ago and told me that
Rowland was not trustworthy, l would
not have given moments attention to it.
But only think, when my father died, he
selected for my guardian his best friend,
as L even now believe Charles Rowland
was, and in his hands he placed his wealth
and for him to keep until l was Of age
And when | arrived at that period of life
left my money where it was; | had no
use for it. Several timea within three or
four years has Rowland asked me to take
my money and invest it, and I would not.
| told him to keep it, and use it if he
wished. only asked that when wanted
money, he would honor my demand. |
felt more safe, in fact. than could have
felt, had my money been in bank of de-
posit.'
" How much money had he when he
left ?'
How much of mine ?"
Yea"
g He should have had over hundred
thousand dollars"
I" What do you mean to do 2"
" All, you have me on the hip there"
!" And yet you must do something,
George. Heaven knows I would keep
you if could. [ shall claim the priv
lege of paying your debts, however,"
No, no, doctor, none of that"
:" But tell you shall. I shall nav
your debts, but beyond that I can only
lelp you to assist yourself. What do you
'ay to going to sea 2"
A faint smile swept over the youths
oale features at this remark
I" should make smart hand at sea.
Doctor, can hardly keep my legs on
hore. No, no. must"
Must what?"
All, know not. I shall die-that
s all !'
/" Nonsense, George. say go to sea.
You couldn't go into store, and you
would not, If you could You do not
wish to remain here amid the scenes of
our happier days. Think of it; at sea
,ou will be free from all contact with
hings you laathe. Think of it."
George Bonton started to his feet, and
'aced the floor for some minutes. When
lie stopped, a new life seemed already at
york within him.
eff went to sea what could do?"
/" You understand all the laws of for
ign trade"
/" Yes. You know | had a. thorough
chooling at that in my fathers counting i
ouse."
Then you can obtain the berth of
upercargo.
g Are you sure can get one?'
/" Yes" +
Well. then, DIR. Melville, it's settled,
will go. !,
George Bonton walked one evening to
nc house Of a wealthy merchant, Andrew