The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-02-19
Having inquired after his affairs, on the

Having inquired after his affairs, on the
next day Mr.. Fontley rode over to the tools
farm" and made bries survey OF it-Daniel
and lew others accompanying him."
What do you think OF the division OF the
property" was the question of one. "Was it
not cruel?'
daniel, come TO my house. Cruel?-no"
replied Mr.. Fontley, his face Frightening up
with meaning smile, as they lett the sterile
TO his nephew by the division than his lgpo-
rance intended, if l am not much mistaken.
But we will see, soon, how it turns out"
From that day Daniel was amply provided
for in the house of Mr.. Fontley, and mean
while the secret of the lattei's words became
revealed. The stools farm" proved rich in
coal. The experienced eye of Fontley had
detected, in the course of his visits to it, maj,
cations which had escaped the notice OF all
others, and which subsequent prospectus
proved true. Those barren undulations -, y,
soil contained a mighty mine of coal, anu tnu
wealth of the grateful and delIghte a OILY =,
developed the black treasure for tle oenen' VI
Daniel. ,,,oro coon ennlorod
upon few years derived its chief importance
| from these fields. Capital and enterprise
we're attracted to the town, and handreds of
families were supported by labor in the min
eral "boWes of the harmless EARTH" and the
star of the fool rose suddenly up in the sky of
benefaction. Fontley, his patron and sel-ap-
pointed agent, was true to his grateful in
stincts aud his important trust, and Daniel
Mosgar became the possesSor of untold
wealth.
AS if Heavens rebuke vera designed to be
Immediately manifest, the strata did not eX-
tend into the land of Robert Mosgar, and he
saw with double modification the contrasted
wealth of the nephew he had despoiled. Be-
tween his efoits TO purchase any part of the
fools farm" or all of it, at any price, stood
the sagdcous, watchful and honest Fontiey;
and of what plying Providence had held in
mysterious reserve for the day of the idiots
restitution, the mind and heat of Fontley
became the guard.
Nor was this all the fortune of the fool. In
his youth he had been "bright," as the saying
is; but disease Of the brain had settled
there, converting it to idiocy. Years of full
darkness had left no hope for revolution OF
reason, but now the reign OF folly had eXrir-
ed. The sudden change in his lot threw Dan
lei into state of feverish exultation, which
resulted in severe sickness, from which skill
full treatment raised him gradually to health
and sense again.
1t appeared as if joy had started and loos-
ened from his brain the disease which had
made him idiotic, and the long latent bane
was expelled forever. He arose a man! Man,
in the sane and glorious control of all his fac
ulties. Man, in the full possession and free
use of that immortal mind, without which we
would be no kin nor part of the Creator, nor
dream that our final home and harbor is the
bosom of our gearing God. A man! Fool no
more; and like one who wakes from some
| long vision Of dread images, he moved and
spoke with an unladen mind and wept in
jov at the coming OF the morning of his libel-
ty.
The tears Of Fontly and his daughter were
freely mingled with his-a happy trio And
still prosperity, with brighter smiles, marched
tOndlv on with him. The darkness fifty on
the other side of the canvas, and the Justice
| of God was indicated.
The barvests of Robert Mosgar became the
| prey OF various misfortunes. They were back
| ward, scant, widowed, here scorched by too
| much heat, and there destroyed by tempests.
Murrain bliehted his cattle, fire DESTROYED his
buildings, and as if the hostility of the ee-
ments and Of man were not punishment
| enough, sickness Frustrated him, and in the
midst of his running adversely, his only chill
dren died.
So fled the promise of the better farm. So
persisted, like the golden mist of sunset, the
vision of the villain. When he recovered
from the couch of physical prostration, be
learned for the first time of all the good for
tune of the nephew he had wronged-his rea-
son added to his ricbes-his further bliss
his union with his benefactors daughter.
Then walked Robert Mosgar forth into the
air, and confessed, in anguish, his wretched-
ness. He beat his breast, and strobe among
the ruined fields, and knelt and sobbed aloud:
Now, Oh Lord, know my sin! And
though my heart is broken, it is purified"
And so ends the story of the "foors farm"
So closes it with moral. Let not the op-
pressor be TOO confident. The changes of
New Enelands April are not SO great as the
changes OF mans vast estate: and they who
ex1lt, in cruel selfreliance, over the unfortu-
nate and unhappy, may take their place to-
morrow.