National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1870-12-02

debtedness, and in a few years he had
amassed several hundred dollars.
He had from early boyhood cherished |
a longing desire for a country life ; a de-
sire, which his occasional visits to the
rural districts ripened into a passion. /
Since toll was to be his lot III life, agri
cultural labor seemed the most attrac-
tive His bcv. now eighteen years OF
age who shared his confidence and his
hopes. imbibed insensibly his tastes, and
urged his father, when he had become
a little lorehanded, to make the expert
ment of farming. This step was finally
decided on. A small farm, to be paid
for in yearly instalments, was purchased,
together with horse. COW and farming
III plements. Such was the history Of
Maple Cottage. The future now seemed
bright and cloudless--not shadow on
the hearth stone. In the pure air and
healthful occupations of the country,
Miles Milford and his wife renewed their
youth The little farm blossomed Ike
the rose. Father and son worked to-
gether manfully. side by side ; and at
the close of the first season had acquired
practical knowledge enough, to warrant
! Il tDlNlcllOn llldt lllt ~ PERTINENT N'ili'l
prove completely successful.
The next year, though the annuul pay
ment on the estate was made with some
difficulty, yet the produce of the land
paid handsome profit over the ex
pense Of cultivation, and young Milford
brought back considerable amount Of
money from market The next year the
crops were large. and additional help
was necessary. Young Milford, now
twenty-one. was obliged to go to mar
/ ket four or five times a week. He would
1 return iaded and worn out-frequently
so fatigued that he would be obliged to
! throw himself on the hay in the barn,
| and sleep for four or five hours. His
| father was afraid that the business was
/ too laborious for him, and often urged
/ the expediency of sending the hired
hand to market but his son readily con-
vinced him that this would be rum
ous eXpedient-and the hired man could
not he expected to do them justice
One morning, Young Milford made his
appearance very much agitated. He had
taken in valuable load of fruit the
night before. delivered it to a whole
sale customer, and set ont on his return
before dayhreak. In lonely part of
the road. while doing on his wagon, he
had been set upon by man who had
suddenly made his appearance, and rob
bed of all his money nearly nifty dol
lars Miles was very much excited at
this narrative, and proposed instantly to
offer reward-but his son begged that
he would say nothing about the circum-
.4,, h, c,,u,aptaI tho inI1N1Il1q a
and thought, with the aid of the police,
he could bring the guilt home to him
and secure him Weeks passed on and
no discovery was made But young
Miles proved unmckv in his sales. HC
could not get near as much as his neigh
+ bors for better articles. They were go
ing behind hand with their cash. One
evening he did not return at his usua
hour from market the day passed on
and no Miles. Evening came-hour'
passed he did not return Milford in
: sisted on his wifes going to bed, while
he sat up and watched for his son
: Long after midnight-the rumble of th'
wagon wheels was heard The fathe
n lighted lantern and wer out Th'
| son clambered down from his cart, an'
staggered towards his father He wa
d. intoxicated. He cssayed to speak-bu
he could not find utterapce. The atilic
q ted father took him 10y the arm, and lee
Z him up to his room. and. after ASSISTING
. him to bed, went down TO take care G
q his horse. and then retire, broken-heart
e ed, to pray and weep for the remainde
u of the night.
= The next morning he had an inter
4 view with the misguided hoy. who, fu
. of conirtion and promises then cor
90 fessed that he Ind been going downward
,e for months-that he had drank, ha
10 gambled lad lost large sums of none,
,c and now stood on the brink of ruin
,f The wretched father couiured him to IT
# trace his steps. implored him to be trr
,s to himself bv the love he bore his mott
,f er and himself, and the fair girl who Ina
NJ confessed she loved him and the your
n. man, with tears streaming from his eye
;. knelt down and took solemn oath nev,
If to bring sorrow to the breasts of tho
IN he loved by his misconduct.
| :: Again, after days of anxiety, the sh
IL dow passed from the hearthstono-aga
H. tire sunshine basked on them but aga
j. it dnrkcned. rs sun and shade succe,
n each other in fitful April day. II
nt young mans promises proved of litl
he worth In the language of Scriptui
in he wos Joined to his idols Habit
n nj intoxication, habitual falsehood. NJ
hahitunl dishonesty wore out at last t
to forebcarancc of his father When |
by heart was breaking. he pronounced Sc
mt tence against the sinner; he must
n forth and seek another home, and lea
We father and mother to struggle alo
he against their misery. And the wander
zee went forth.
th Thenceforth. ut each Thauksgivii
las anniversary. plate was laid. II chair :
No for him Mt Maple Cottage. Four yea
had passed since his departure-sinco
by bad been heard from-aud still the CT
&C. tom was kept up: still industry II
led ncatness held sway within the cottal
ch though hope was growing faint and
le seemed almost certain that the Milioi
ith must relinquish it. and the farm rev,
m TO its former owner.
,gc Now We see why Rose Darling's e'
Fps filed with tears when they rested on
ar. vacant chair why Miles Milford's h
lid was white ~ driven snow. though lac v
les not vet fifty and why those sill
Inv threads were woven in the tresscs of
ed. wife.
IN Miles had just crnved a blessing on
on. feast before him. when tue door OPEN
,cr. A tail. sunburnt man entered, with h
Of itation. He was clad in q long, rngf
m oycrcoat soled and patched yet
hen color in his face was healthy, aud
bad light of his eye pure and uncloud
ted Two women suppressed scream ~
bit. nppcnrancc. but the master Of the ho
Div. stood up, and said, with quivcring i
m Milna Milfnrl. nnaMpr me trl