Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1871-10-05
The Two Silversmitns.

Two young men in humble circum-
stances, and having humble but pleas
that they both loved one and tue same
young girl, whose name was Nina.
The young men were silversnith. !,
and both labored at the same bench.
ARTHUR said one in n whisper, we
have been good friends for n long time,
and it is certain that but one of us can
ever marry Nina, il would be foolish
for Us 10 quarrel AMI wranglc about
her. l, therefore, have something to
propose
Well surlily responded the other,
what is II? I'm listening.
We both work equally we'll, and We
both have been praised at the same
time and by the same people. The
annual exhibition will occur in n month
and propose that We each contribute
a silver vase, and whoever shall pro-
ducc the best, in the judgment of crit
les. will be free to pay his addresses to
Nina.
And the other one To Withdraw AZ
together-to go away.
Yes, To go AWAY Out OF sight until
the marriage is completed.
Tom thought deeply. lie feared the
talent OF the other. Suddenly Wild
thought dashed into his mind. but he
repressed its effects upon his face. H.
extended his hand.
Il agree wi bind myself 10
leave the city until you are married -
Nina, if the judges decide that Your
vase is better than mine.
Arthur responded. And also bind
myself - dp the some
Nlna's father VA, old. ann !, She
never showed any preference for either
Of her two suitors They hal come
and gone like any other two visitors,
and she frequently declared that She
would alway, remain By her father. in
order 10 tend and console him III his
declining years.
She was tcnder-hcarted aid bcaut-
ful. Her father had been a silver
smith OF great renown in his dav. And
had produced some OF the most won
'ierful shapes since The death Of th1
great Italian. These were considered
so exquisite that they were Immediate
IL purchased by very wealthy men aud
hidden in their cabinets, 10 be taken
out and shown on the rarest occasions.
The two young men fell instantly to
.rArLr fh.tr .3ast,,r. AMI AZ.
labored in different apartments. Each
was anxious, or rather. appeared 10 be.
Toms anxiety. however. was purely
affected. lie had little tear. he had i
plan OF procedure marked out.
At times they visited Nina, but sac
favored neither, apparently, though in
truth she thought better Of the frank
and noble-hcarted Arthur than OF his
handsome and gay companion.
Suddenly Tom disappeared for two
days, saying, merely, that he should be
absent, and no more. He returned
gaycr in spirits, and fell to work with
greater assiduity.
The exhibition approached. Arthur
grew nervous almost 10 illness. Iii,
face grew pale and his hand trembled.
while Tom, on the other hand, grew
happier and more confident.
Arthur began 10 dread, and he look
ed upon his vase, which was nearly
completed. with many forcbodings.
Often he was tempted to break it to
pieces, and to fly away out of sight.
The time grew nearer. and finally
came.
The two young men in the dead of
night carried their vases to the hall
and deposited them in the proper place
for exhibition. Arthur then returned
home, half dead with anxiety, and
Tom retarded home heistling
The next day the people of the town
all iocked to the hall and filled it.
They gazed upon the different vases /;
the verdict vas given at once in favor
of a beautiful structure, which was
graceful and elegant beyond descrip-
ton. Nothing in the hall surpassed
it. Every one stood before it in silent
admiration The vase was Toms.
| hituui oSo" pcSttucu. MS own
performance was good, but beside this
it was worthless and homely
Arthur said the other, Il am sorry
for you. have won Nina, and we
must part. l did my best, and | am
sure you could not have done yours.
Yes replied the broken-hearted boy
i did my very best. did not know
that you were such workman. Good.
bv, good-by. Remember me TO Nina.
He disappeared. Tom answered all
the inquiries about MIN, and set all
anxiety at rest with but Nina. She
would not be comforted.
why should he 60 away. Why did
he not come and say good-by to me:
II am afraid loved him, Tom
But perhaps he has gone to set
some one who loves him better thar
you do
Yes, yes. perhaps he has am sci
fish. very. very selfish, but ] cannot
help it,
She wept continually in spite O
Toms presence. He came dav afte
day, and brought flowers and fruit
and tried to soften her heart toward,
him. She begged to see the vases TO-
her fathers illness had prevented he
! going to the exhibition. Tom resist
ed, but for some strange reason, bu