The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-06-18
TALES OF THE BORDERS
THE HAPPY CONCLUSION.
BT ALEXANDER CAMPBELL.

It's owre wi us moo, guidwifc," sale
William Waterstone, throwing himsel
down in an arm chair that stood by his owl
kitchen freside, and at the same time laying
aside bis staff and bonnet /; for William
had just returned from journey of ten o.
twelve miles, on which he had set out tha
morning" it's a owre wi US moo, guild
wife" he said, in voice and with lool
and manner of the deepest despair. "He'l
no listen to ony terms" he went on, 60
to ony delay, but insists on haein the money
doun on the nail, and to the last farthin, O.
he says h'll roup us to the door, and tha
within fourteen days"
But what misfortune was this tha
threatened William Waterstone? AnC
who was be F? Why, We will tell you, gooC
reader, beginning with your last query
first. William Waterstone was a small
farmer in Teviotdale, one of the mos
honest, laborious, and worthy men in thai
part Of the country. But all his industry
prudence, economy, and integrity had moi
enabled him, as, indeed, they could not. tC
cope with the disadvantages of falling mar,
kets and a poor and over-rented farm and
be fell into arrears with bis landlord. Il
was in vain that poor " illiam, who was now
getting up in years, being close upon sixty,
toiled late and early, assisted by bis wife and
daughter (his whole household), to reduce
or keep down the debt that was growing up
against him. 1t was in vain that he and
they denied themselves every comfort to at
tam this desirable end. The arrears, in
ylaee of diminishing, went on increasing
for the farm with all this toll and privation,
could scarcely gay the current expenses, lei
alone sDahlng its occupant to liquidate an
extra deUt.
But this state Of matters with William,
though sad enough, and such as must, in
any circumstances, have made him unhappy,
would not have ended in bis utter ruin, as it
now threatened to do, bad the property
which be rented remained in the hands OF
bis old landlord; for that person knew his
excellent character, respected his worth,
and, perfectly aware that be was doing all
that man could do to discharge the claims
he had on him, showed him every lenity and
indulgence and would, in all probability
Indeed be had actually said as much) J,
have forgiven him his arrears altogether.
Unfortunately for William, however, his
generous landlord just about this time died
and the property fell into other and very
different hands.
The first step Of the new proprietor, OF
rather of his factor, though Of course done
with the formers consent, was to ferret oui
all outstanding debts the next, to enforce
their payment, without distinction Of per
sons or consideration of circumstances, by
the most summary measures which the Law
allowed. On this black list, and amongs
the foremost, stood the name Of William
! Waterstone.
1t was on the day preceding that OF
which our story opens, that William first re
ceived intimation by threatening letter, o
the determination Of the new proprietor re
garding the arrears which he was owing
and on the next he went himself to the fac
tor, who lived at the distance Of about tel
miles, to endeavor to avert the proceeding
with which he was threatened, by entering
into some arrangements regarding the debt
The result of this interview is announced IL
the expressions with which William seatet
himself in his arm chair, as quoted at tn
outset Of our tale for be had just at tha
moment returned from bis unsuccessful
mission.
He had addressed himself to bis wife
but what be said was equally meant for th
ear of his daug young, beautiful
and interesting girl Of about nineteen, VIII
was also present at the time.
On Williams announcing the determine
ton Of the factor regarding them, bis wife
without saying a word, but looking the yer
picture of grief and despair, flung herse
into chair opposite her husband, where sh
sat for some time in silence, wiping ava
at intervals, with the corner Of her apror
the tears that forced themselves into he
eyes.
After short time, during which neithe
father, mother, nor daughter had spoken
syllable, each being wrapped up in the cor
templating of the miserable prospects whic
lay before them, Mrs. Waterstone at lengt
said
; "And is there, then, nae hope for .
now, William, after a oor toll and OC
fecht z"
Nane-nane that l can sce," replie
the husband, after heightened pause, in
voice rendered stern by despair, and at IL
same time glancing towards his daughte
who, with ber face buried in her apron, WI
! sobbing and weeping in a distant corner
7 the apartment. g Name that can see," |
again repeated g There's nae help for I
under heaven Naething for US moo, Bets
!. but the meal pock."
"Weel, Gods will be dune, William
I. replied the broken-h hearted woman sinC
Il Is sac, we maun submit ; although it
e hard, at oor time o life, and after the lar
y and sair struggle we hae had to do justice
Z everybody, to be thrown destitute on i
q warld. But ye ken it is said, William,
: the Psalmist, l have been young, al
: now am old yet have not seen the rig
L