Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1873-02-06

lighted more than once a year; and
here he opened the trenches, not an
grily, but collectedly, calmly, deter
minedly, informing me that his dauggh-
ter could never be-mine, for that he
was a.. tolsrabR wealthy man, and
he had Sreaolved never TO wed his
child toons who. was not possessed OF
a portion equal to her own.
In vain l told him how much l
loyed his, daughter, th.t she. loved
me ii return, and that we meyer
could exist apart. from each other.
The old man merely smiled psarcas-
tically, and, pointing tony Uniform,
"fRe man whose very coat is not
his own, and whose only pay is only
seven shillings and sixpence day,
cannot marry my heiress. y =.
He laid long stress on the last
word, and 1 don't know what pos
sessed me, but I replied:
"And what may be the extent
of your present wealth Mr.. Martini
The question was certainly very
rude one, but the old gentleman did
not seem to regard it las as such, for he
answered. simply:
Well, three months ago l had
ga, 600 in the Bank Of Australia, but
I took it all out and expended it in
the purchase of additional stock and
improvements for my farm i dare
say I am worth altogether $4,000,
and Gertrude be the solessposses:
sor when I die"
"Then you don't, object to, me lin
myself, Mr.. Martin, but only because
I am poor?" I said, bitterly.
"Just 30, my boy. l object on
principle; but, to show you that I
bear no personal animosity, come into
tkekitchen, and we win honor your
last evening among us by glass Of
my best grog, and my best tobacco,
such as you have not seen for many
long day"
"Sfay a moment" I cried, "were
fas rick as you,' Mr.. Martin, would
you give me your child ?"
Aye, that I would, lad, right
willin 5ly," was the reply.
And directly I am as rich as
you, if Gertrude is then single, will
you consent to our marriage ?" l
persisted.
"Aye, verify, 1 will on my word
of honor, Mr. Rush. But you talk
of impossibilities, he added. Where
are. you going to realize sudden
fortune ?"
All where was 1? My heart sank
as I asked myself the question, and
I followed the old man into the kitch-
en- in almost heartbroken silence. A
bright fire was burning on the hearth.
for CRATES are still very rare in Aus
tralia-in fact, they would be i'll.
adapted for the logs of red gum wood
that form the invariable fuel.
Presently the gla ses and the pipes
were laid on the table, and / did my
best to rekindle hope within my
breast by the aid Of Hollands and
Barretts twist, but it Was no COOL.
On the other side Of the fire sat
Mrs. Martin, comely dame Of fifty
years, fully as broad as she was long,
and with 4 mind wholly given to the
concern Of the dairy and the making
of orange marmalade. Gertrude,
knowing that something was wrong,
but scarcely guessing what, nestled
up to my side, and, to nay great JOY,
her father did not rebuke her.
And thus we sat for long time,
neither of us speaking a word. but
listening to the falling rain and howl
ing wind without, and to the great
forest trees as their branches were
swayed and tossed by the blast. Anon
came another sound-a loud, yet
soothing murmur, like the signing
Of a summer breeze amid cork
wood.
No one seemed to notice it but me,
and I only did so as wondering how
so gentle and so musical a murmur
could make itself audible above the
uproar of the wind and tempest.
Suddenly, however, there broke upon
our ears the dashing open Of a gate,
and mans voice shouting:
Master Martin, if you value your
.life,, look sharp The river has over
flown its banks, and the waters are
out"
Then we heard the splash. splash,
splash of horses feet, as the warning
visitor rode away.
Water out Impossible NUT
tered the old farmer. " Why bless
my heart, the river was not on a lev
ell with tire banks by some inches. this
morning, and we've had no ram to
speak OF since.
You don't know what weather it
has been among the mountains, Mr..
Martini" said. =" And hark'l put
your ear to the floor! Heavens The
warning was q timely one. We have
not moment to lose.
We all bent our heads down and
listened, and now we could hear a
hollow, gurgling sound under our
feet, and little Jets Of spray leaped
up from between the crevices of the
flooring. ~ i y ssA5s go
The house, according; to the custom
in the colonies, was bnilt .oh piles,
and thus the downstairs rooms were
about four feet from the ground, be-
tween which, ands the flooring the an
CRY waters were. Row fretting anil
Tuning, and dashing against. the
stout woodwork with momentauly
increasing power.
The women began to cry; the far
mer was too stupefed to move.
This will never do, said, "there
is not moment to lose. l can take
one of you upbehind me on my horse,
and know that Carlo and l will get
through it somehow. The rest had