The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1871-10-06

: l do not think / have ever been 8
wicked man, yet I do believe that haC
. I found this money ere I became 6
Christian, all the principles Of mOrali
ty, chivalFy, and the brilliant baubIe
honor, would have forced it out Of my
grasp; for 1t is astonishing how full o.
sophistry are the mere moral doctrines
with what ease men of honor, who
will shoot you from a respectable, gen
tlemanly distance Of twelve PAGES, are
apt to forget their tailor's or washer.
WOman's bill.
Now, with the exception of q mo-
ment's wicked thought alluded to, did
not hesitate. l rushed into the near
est hotel, where 1 expected strangers
from our train the most likely to stop.
"Any of you gentlemen lost any
| thing 2" said i, as l entered the bar
room.
Twenty hands were in an instant
! thrust into as many pockets; but OF
these only one was found empty.
This pocket belonged to q muscular,
athletic, bearded man, with a massive
forehead and a fiery eye.
| He looked at me for a moment with
an air of astonishment, smile play
ed on his beautifully chisseled mouth.
! "Why, young man." said he, "I
five thousand dollars. What then ?''
handed him the wallet.
He gazed at me steadfastIy. rubbed
his eyes, and murmured, as if to him
self:
"Yes, 1t must be he.n
There was q short silence, which to
me became embarrassing and, fear
| ing to stay any longer lest [ should be
| suspected OF waiting for a reward, I
| bow ed and left the room.
The stranger followed me.
ST have seen you BEFORE" said he.
"Where did we meet? Do you not re-
member having ever seen me?"
''Not to my recollection" was my
reply;
"Augustus Reginald"
l dropped entirely my family sur
name with the full consent of my
wife.
''ReginaId what?" inquired my in
terlocutor, with visible agitation.
tFYou have another name. For Gods
sake, do not trifie with my feelings"
told him.
He grasped my hand-tears started
to his eyes. He made a gesture, as If
about to speak. Then, perceiving that
p group had gathered around US, he
checked hlmself-only desiring the
waiter to show us to a private parlOr,
whittier he led the way, desiring me
to follow.
AS soon as we were left alone, my
strange, new acquaintance, after Civ
ing me another long stare, inquired ::
"Are you the son of the late John
William B Of New York ?''
I'I am.n
tEI1aVe Won a sister ?D
81 had one; but have not heard of
her for many years, nor do L know
whether she is dead or alive"
''She married beneath her station in
society,"" said the stranger, with a
slight irony in his voice-"did she
not ?"
az was told So" replied I, scarcely
able to suppress a laugh, as [ looked
upon the word Conductor on my
cap. hBut, sir" I adde's, sit would
not beseem me to make the charge
against her"
t'There is pride of humiliation with
a vengeance" answered my cOmpan-
ion, laughing, with that hearty laugh
which is the exclusive attribute of
whole-souled men. "JUst wait mo-
ment, brother Reginald," added he,
and left me puzzled and not able to
make anything out Of it.
In few minutes my new acqCain-
tance returned, leading a matronly,
but still handsome, lady. The next
moment my long lost sister sObbed
tears of joy on my bosom.
Need tell mOre2 My new found
bfother-in.laW was a specimen OF that
race of men, of purely American
stamp, who make themselves-who
know no patronage than their own in
dustry, perseverance and indomitable
will.
Mr.. Mason, for that was my broth
er-in-law's name, after his marriage
and repudiation by my father, sailed
with his bride to California. There,
by hard labor in the mines, coupled
with Yankee spirit of invention, he
accumulated q considerable fortune.
Then, opening in San Francisco n
store, he ten-fold increased his wealth,
and now returned to enjoy, in his ma
tive State, the Otilt73 cum dig7litdte to
which his life of hardships and unre-
nitting labor entitled him.
Having broken all connection with
his former home, he knew nothing of
the misfOrtunes of our family, ''Else,"
said he, while relating his story, "they
would not have happened, if it had
cost me my last dollar !"
On reaching New York, and finding
that his wife's parents were dead, he
put an. advertisement in the papers,
that ''1f Augustus Reginald Electra
will apply to Messrs. Cheatem and
Catchem, counselleTs at law, he will
hear of something to his advantage"
But, as 1 seldom, if ever, read the
advertising columns, as / dropped my
! family name, and as my former ac-
duaintances knew nothing of my
whereabouts, owed this happy meet
fng to chance, and, let me add, with
| honest pride, my integrity.
How my Kate laughed and cried,
and laughed again, when I told her
] the story; how my hearty brother-in-
| law hugged her; how my dear sister
| fondIed her; how the old Californian
swore-he has broken himself of
swearing since-that Kate would make
| his wife's bonnet for our wedding !;
I how she did make It; how he paid her
live thousand dollars for it; how he
| bought me a house for the like sum,
and stocked for me q variety-stOTe,
with a nilliner's counter on the OPP
/ pOsite side of the same; how he made
/ KATY blush at the wedding breakfa fast {;
/ how we had trip to Niagara without
asking any superintendent for leave of
| absence; how our two boys and a girl
shout with joy when Uncle Ben Ma
/ son comes to see us-alI these, proper
| Iy, have nothing to do with my story
| but this has, for it is its marrow:
"That he who believeth, and liveth
up to his faith, will find his reward,
even here below"