The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1873-05-17


his name and blood for generations back
had ever earned their bread by the sweat o
their brow When he learned all about it, IT
commenced such TRADE against false prid
that mother declared to Us afterwards 1t mad
her tremblc.
Il tell YOU, mother" he said, these ole
tools are dcarcr to me than the family poT
traits you are so proud or And besides, the.
make me understand myself little bette!
Give the chest into my kceping-let 1t be m,
norton | imagine have $ little of my grand
| father about me
We effected this compromise with Hugh
He was to go through college, and after that
! if his tastes and inclnationS had not chang
ed, we were not to oppose him further. w
trusted that, at the end of that Time he woul'
have a higher ambition
We knew that he kept all kinds OF to,
machinery in his rooms. Now II was per
petual motion. now something else, that wa
To result in wonderful invention We palt
no special attention to il, till, having FINISHED
his college course we asked him in regard Il
his future, when he told us he had decided
that question years ago, and never for 4 mo
moment swcrved from his purpose; and hi
was now ready TO apply himself to his OWL
work.
noint, for though he lacked the family pride
he had the family obstinaCy. He made thor
ourh work of ii: worked daytimes and stud
led nights. Civil engineering, natural phil
osophy, and all kindred subjects, were his
delight; and his ardor in the face of all our
discouragements, was something wonderful
But he prophesicd great things for his future,
and, believing him or not, we were Obliged
to hold our peace,
That was several years ago; we have seen
some of his prophesles fulfilled. lie was es
tablished in the city when his first invention
was pronounced Il success. Compliments and
CONGRATULATIONS were offered him without
stint. but he came home 10 receive them from
us, who had laid every obstacle in his way
that could be thought Of But we were proud
of him. and told him So but thought il only
natural and proper that he should achieve
success In fact, we should have thought that
fate had made a mistake had it been other.
wise.
But Hugh was more modest | said. one
day, that it was exceedingly gratifying to me
that he was so honored; that he had so ele-
waited the-ah--so elevated the standercd of
of the"
Never mind about the big speeches. You
and don't understand each other very we'll
IS a general thing; however I'm glad if
you're glad But tell you this: the fact that
I'm honored, and making money, is nothing
to thel consciousness that | have
been able by my little gift of invention to
tighten the labor Of thousands, to bring,
through the work of my brain, lighter work
o weary hands, and added comforts to many
homes.
That was just like Hugh but though did
81, ,,,F,t I
cnt to let him enjoy his Quixotic notions,
md profcssed myself much impressed by the
grandeur of his motives.
OF course, whenever he came down to Clay
own the people paid him every attention,
lin He had been "a favorite-unlike the
est of us--and now they all seemed to enjoy
is good fortune with him.
On one of these occasions-he had been
ONE for u month or more-when, sitting
n the piazza one evening, he asked very
uddenly:
'Who is living in the little house across
he ways'
The question we had looked for had come.
Ne had 'purposely avoided any allusion to
'ur neighbors in Hugh's presence, and it had
happened fortunately that every time he had
lOmc,
OH we answered "a Mrs Monteith, wild
w lady, with four children"
He looked quite disappointed but asked
gain
as she young and prettys"
"What has happened, Hugh Something
crious, am sure, when you inquire so anX
)usly abont any woman. No, she is not ex-
city young, but retains the relics Of beauty
Vhy?"
Nothing. Only as I've had so little to do
,.day, I've amused myself in watching my
cighbors; and my laudable curiosity has
ardly met a fair reward. I've seen some
ne up IN the front room of the house, writing
er face and figure have been ont Of my
ght, but she was so seated that | could see
er hand and arm, and a marveonsly pretty
and and arm il is too. I've seen one in my
fe like it, and I'd like to see her face; |
link know how it ought to look"
He said no more and the subject was drop
ed
There was a young lady visiting at Judge |
Iubbcll's whom We had been anxious for
[ugh to meet; charming girl, who had
lenty money, and plenty of rich family con
ections, aud sense enough 10 make grace
II appearance, and not enough to be uncom.
'rtablc. Hugh had called there two or
lrce times, and had pronounced her a sweet
iri;" but we never knew just what he meant
then he used one of the expressions common
fashionable society.
Now Rcbecca Graves was not by any means
sweet girl, but she had q very taking way,
and for some reason had
vague fear that Hugh would make her &C
Iuaintancc. And if he did, and took fancy
o her, why, all the kings horses and all the
Kings men would not be obstacles in his
path
The next evening, sitting on the norcb
Waiting for Hugh, we suddenly observed him
Icross the street, walking leisurely along with
Mss Graves. looked up, and said:
II told you So"
Mother looked somewhat annoyed, but re.
Marked
Don't say anything disagreeable about II
40 doubt he can explain it all"
Hugh came across into the house, LOOKING
PARTICULARLY gracious.
"WhO was that" said l. at length.
"She was introduced to me as Miss Graves
"Oh, yes know She Is visiting at Mrs
Ionteith's,' said l. careessly
"Shc is HriHg there, as yon very well know"