The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1872-02-22

small and delicate with ewes blue and
deep as still lakes locked in between deep
mountains, and her hair had the golden
rlpeness of the harvest pear that dropped
| every autumn on the grass in Mr. Strong's
back ward.
The bloom OF two woodland roses were
set in her cheeks, and sweet smiles for
ever clustering over the dmples hidden
about her lips
She had resided with the Strongs for
more tn n two wears, and all this time the
little orphan, Minnie Blake, had been like
sweet flower, filling the house with
fragrance
Bat it had been home where went on
| constantly sharp, strong battle with
povertv-a battle that was lightened and
Sanctiled by faith in God and sweet af
lection and tender cares. But this sum
mer had opened more darklv than it's
| predecessors, tor Mr.. Strong's rheumatic
attacks had been longer and more serious
than any of the previous ones He had
lost several important "iobs" tor that sea-
son in consequence of his illness and his
! Oldest son. who had lust crossed his four
teenlh birthday, had been obliged to leave
the district school, and let himself out as
"chore boy to q penurious old farmer
in the vicinity of Woodford
! SO troubles thickened over the head of
the carpenters little family. and the face
OF Mrs. Strong grew paler and more pa
ten day by day
"1ou Just get away from my fathers
| pond il You know what's good for YOU"
The loud, harsh tone broke suddenly in
upon the children's voices. and looking
up hastily in the direction of the voice,
John saw Squire Morton's son standing
in the field opposite the meadow. through
whose dark grass the little pond flashed
the silver embroidery of its waters
Now, although the meadow in reality
| belonged to the Squire, it was regarded
as 'public property" by all the neighbors.
nd the school-bovs assembled here every
| Saturday afternoon tor piscatorv achieve
ments, amid hoisterous tests and frolic.
John Strong was a bold. outspoken boy
| and the insoent tones OF the Squire's son
at once reused all his beIligerent quail
tiles
The pond belongs quite as much to
me as it does to YOU, sir, and shall stay
here as long as like tor all your orders ="
"You will, eh? I'd like to know what
/ right YOU, a poor beggar of carpenters
( sou, have to speak to me in that way "
and Robert VI rton, whose naturally over
/ bearing disposition had been nurtured by
I the indulgence of most iniudcious parents
--tor he was an only Son-advanced
! toward the boy. whose senior he was by
two or three years, tauntinglv cracking q
small riiing-w whip which he carried in his
] hand. The angry blood burned over the
tace OF John Strong, while the girls
/ Shrieked for fear Come on" he cried
assuming beligerent attitude and doub-
/ ling his fists. "I'm not afraid Of YOU, Rob
ert Morton. il Won are the Squire's son,
and Id like ust-rate to give You lckin
for that insult
1t was not the right action nor the right
| answer but the carpenters son forgot in
that hour of sore temptation what many
/ old and wiser heads than his have Il me.
( that it Is neither money nor station which
makes the true gentleman. only the heart
that i, gentle. noble. and self-sustaned :;
and John Strong certainly descended
when he replied to the taunts of the
/ Squjre'S son, aggravatng aS they were.
Robert Morton had a handsome face
but it was one of those. despite its dark
clearly-cut features. which YOUR heart
never chung to-one which, the more it
was studied the less It was loved and
now an expression of angry pride dark
ened and distorted every lneament, ~ he
stood still a moment before John Strong
and then lifting his whip struck him 4
quick. sharp blow on his forehead The
next moment the two bows closed in an
angry struggle. John was the smaller oi
the two, but exercise had developed his
muscles. aud given him degree Of phys
ical power which one would hardly have
He soon succeeded in wrestling the whip
from the Squire's son, and after a briet
struggle. threw him on the ground. and
rs Johns temper had completely over
mastered him. he gave his antagonist a
sevcrer beating than he was himself
aware of.
I'm make YOU pay tor this. oh fellow ;
You'll see" growIed the boy. As with
bruised face and stiff limbs he Iimped
away.
"Oh. father. my Johnnie sent to i4il I,
shall never be able to lit nv head
again, and the mother rung her hands,
and the tears scattered themselves over
her pale cheeks.
1t was dark dav under the roof OF the
linle red house OF the carpenter. Jason
Strong.
=
and 50 worked upon his fathers sympathies
and Indignation. bv the story OF the
wrongs which lie had received, that he
had commenced a suit against the carpen-
ter on account of his son, and the latter
was sent to iail. because his father could
not raise the hundred dollars which would
have paid the bows bonds.
Jason Strong leanded his head in his
hard hands and proanpd. while Minnie
and Wealthy. who scarcely comprehend
ed the fearful tidings, crept close to each
other in one corner Of the kitchen and
slid their little brown hands into each
others and looked with sorrowtul faces
unon their father and mother
INV bow in iail." murmured the poor
mother. As she paced. with locked hands
up and down the room: ..mv bov that 7
loved so and was 80 proud of. whose littla
brown head | have rocked TO sleen ~
many niybts in the cradle wonder, ;,
~O jnn,t don,t wife ~ rro.nod tho
carpenter and his whole frame shook l;ka
| llI: L:Il L:, :,