Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1870-06-14

aJoshua," said his wife timidly US.
ing the rarely mentioned Christian
name of her husband, "this letter is
from Henry"
$50 l suppose" said he, coldly.
As he spoke he took from his pock-
ct the Weekly Farmer, and adjusting
his spectacles, began to read.
This was hint, and so Mrs. Hol.
brook understood it, ths' be did not
care to pursue the subject further
But she could not help asking,
"Wouldn't you like to read Henry's
letter, Joshua.
"You will oblige me by not men,
tioning his name again." said the dea-
con stifly. He has forfeited all
claims to be considered son."
So days, months, and even years
passed. 1t lacked but a month of
FIVE years since Henry Holbrook left
his home. There was little change
in the air of tho grave sober-looking
mansion Of Deacon Holbrook. The
deacon himself had failed more in
those five years than in any FIVE pre-
ceding. His form had lost its ancient
erectness, and was bowel. His face
had grown more wrinked, and he
spent more time in the house. Mrs.
Holbrook received tidigs of Henry
at short intervals. Hewas we'll, and
doing we'll, he wrote but did not en-
ter into particulars. Sometime he
should return to see his mother. Of
his father he did not speak. These
letters were all brought home from
the village post-office by Deacon Hol-
brook, but he never signiied any Gu
riosity or interest to lean the con-
tents. Henry's name hal not been
mentioned between the two for years
yet-and let not this surprise the
reader-it would be hard to tell
which thought of him most constantly.
Behind the deacon's tacimrnity there
beat a heart, and that heart was more
tender to his lost son than he would
have been willing to confess.
All at once his quiet lie was brok-
en- in upon, and that in most cruel
manner.
One day he entered tn. house, his
face as pallid as sheet his limbs
tottcring beneath him, his whole ex.
preston that of great and intolerable
anguish.
"What's the matter, Deacon Hol.
brook! What's the matter, Joshua ~
inquired his alarmed wife.
Hannah, we are paupeIs-pau.
pers in our old age!' said her hus.
band, bitterly.
"Good gracious +! what has happen
ed, Joshua ?" asked the wife turning
pale from sympathy.
Little by, little, it came out tina,
Deacon Holbrook had become bonds
man for a bank officer with whom he
was well acquainted, and in whose in
tegrity he had the utmost confidence
But to-day the astounding intelligence
had arrived that the officer, after q
series of defalcations, had fled the
country, and left the bondsmen .c
suffer. The amount for which the
deacon had become bound was suffi
cient to swallow up the house ant
farm-all, in fact, that he possessed
The farm was not a valuable one
1t comprised sixty acres of rough soil
which by hard labor, had been made
to suffice for the moderate wants of 4;
small economical family. In the mar
ket it would not bring over thre,
thousand dollars, and for that amour
the deacon was bound. Yesterda,
he had reckoned himself rich. Nov
he regarded himself as a pauper.
"This is indeed worse than death,
thought the deacon, with stern sor
row. "The Lord has indeed smittel
me in my old age"
Little time was given for anticipa
tion before the blow fell. The Hol
brook farm was advertised for sale a
auction, to take place in three weeks
Bills were printed and posted OF
fences and stores. Meanwhile Dea
con Holbrook sank into state of list
less apathy. All day long he woul'
sit in a rocking chair with his eye
fixed on the opposite wall, sayin
nothing, and apparently paying lit
tie attention to what was going o.
about him. His wife scarcely les
sorrowful than himself, feared tha
his reason was undermined.
Three weeks passed by, and brough
the sale. Mrs. Holbrook would hav
absentcd herself; but her husband e1
hibiting more life than Of late, insist
4 ed on her being present. So wit
many mlsgivings, she became an III
= willing witness Of the trying scene.
!, The bidding commenced at tw
1 thousand dollars. Gradually it wer
up to twenty mine hundred, and wa
: about to be knocked off at that pric
J to Squire Clayton, when the tramp
: ling of hoofs was heard a young ma
with a handsome face, Drowned by e,
posure, leaped from his horse, and il
quired eagerly the amount last bic
. On being told, he at once exclaimed
= "I bid three thousand dollars"
At that price it was knocked dow
to him.
!, "What name, sir ?" inquired II
= auctioneer.
u "Deacon Joshua Holbrook," W;
> the reply, in a loud, clear voice.
There was buzz OF surprise, an
y the question, "who ia he p passe
from one to another.
: Among the rest Deacon Holbroc
looked up eagerly, and a questit
was on his lips.
"Father, mother, don't you kno
> ! your boy ?"asked the young man wit
emotion.
: Deacon Holbrook's eyes lighted |
" with joy. Silently he opened b
arms, the reconciliation was complet
Henry subsequently explained th'
II having been successful in the mine
g be had wished to return unexpected
s when, upon his arrival in New Yor
2 | Lo Lad loasnd L.; Eathar,s s;ace