The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1873-05-13

little noisy at times, and The tales of 8
few rough fellows rather grating; but
tried hard to keep my integrity free from
the CRIME about me. which is harder
thing to dos covered with dirt from NOR,
ming till night, than your nice, clean gen
tleiolks may think.
Mr. Hall began to notice met is
useless 70 say l did not notice it, for
did-and one day he proposed that
take Off my dirty clothes and so into the
office as permanency.
Now this was great temptation, for,
whenever Kate came into the works she
Of course, came only to her fathers Of
fice. and if was there she might see tina
her old schoolmate was-a verv amiable
young man.
hesita.ed, and Mr.. Hall said:
sit will be little more seeriily occu
patton for you, as understand you viii
one day fall heir to large English prop
ertv."
That allusion decided me.
81 came here to learn trade, sir"
said, respectfully, 'and not to be clerk
As regards my fortune, that is all | loot
to-" holding out nv grimy hands tt
N, astonishraent Mr.. Hall slapped m,
on the back so heartily that he nearly
knocked the breath out of me, as he re
piled:
That's the talk, young fellow!
rtaA -, lifa NTH tho racn1t1tinp
myself, and will not forget you"
knew lie would keep his word, for {
master cannot forget the best man, an(
this strove to be. Whatever l under
took l exerted all my powers upon, ant
if my fellow wOrkmen were at times :
little jealous they could not help at leas
respecting my open conduct.
was barely out Of MY time when
was made foreman over the whole works
and had occasion frequently to be a
Mr.. Halls house. 1t was then that l be
gan to experience the reward of my in
defatigable labor, for there | constant,
met my little Katie with the sweet anC
modest eyes. We understood one anoth
er before long, though ain sure don
know how; we seldom spoke more thar
the most common place words, but,
Katie had wonderful eyes!
1t was just in the midst of this pleas
ant time that my father received .
mournlul letter from England announc
ing the sudden death Of my uncle, anC
stating that he had lett me twent,
pounds; the remainder of his property
falling TO his widow and infant heir, HI
having secretly married his housekeepe
some months previously. My fathe
swore, my mother wept, and l, trying t.
look unconcerned, gloried IN my trade.
A lawyers letter was dispatched tt
the wretched widow, and dark hints
thrown out, but it was no use; the wo
man had been lawfully married to m,
rncie, and her infant son was his iIoir.
My father spent the twenty pounds ol
lawyers When my darkened prospect
became known to Mr.. Hall. he suddenl,
cut of my opportunities for going TO hi
house. All! the boiler shop was yer.
noisy just then!
But contrived meeting with Kati
one day, when old Mr. and Mrs. Hall hat
gone in the country; when | tod her m
love, and vowed to accomplish unhear'
of feats in the way of obtaining riches
that might gain her from her hard ia
ther, while the dear child promised to wal
for me forever
Her parents, just like contrary pee
pie, came home long before they wer
wanted, and found US talking together
Mrs. Hall took away her daughter
and Mr. Hall took me to task, accusin
me of loving little Katie. just as thong
any young man in his senses could bel
/ doing that!
Unlike most criminals when charged
1 plead guilty, and gently reminded hi1
that he had started in life as poor as
was.
The result Of this interview was tbs
Katie and I were forbidden, under dir
threats, to hold any COMMUNICATION wit
each other. -,
went to my work, and what betwee
my efforts to do my whole duty serenel
and my sore heart, the days dragge
heavily enough.
| Although did not know it then, nc
till long afterwards, my Katie droope
like meek flower. and was at last o
bed of sickness; but her parents sti
held ont, and only sent for me whe
hey thought her dying
Thank God / was enabled to carr
, some of the same energy that cause
me to excel in my trade to that sic
bed!
Katie got better,and we were married
with something of gruaging conser
, from the old folks, who, like so man
) others, alas had outlived the sweet e!
! perience OF their own youth.
l did not get rich by magic, but b
steady adherence to my business, bl
now that / am old can very well a
ford to let some one else be my uncle
y hair