American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1873-10-25

and sisters, and promising to return rich
man, set out for the CITY
Before he went he visited the miller's
niece, and told her that she was free to
marry some one else. But she said she
was in no hurry for husband, and
| would wait for him.
Then Hawaii went away with a Hpbt
heart, one change of clothing, a few
pence, and his goose-feather, that he had
seen at the last minute, and put into his
pocket, not because he believed it would
mend his fortunes but because it was the
only thing in the house that belonged to
| him.
| When he reached the city he did his
best TO earn his living. As no one knew
him, he had great difficulty in obtaining
anything to do. But he earned enough
to keep away starvation. After three or
four months of anxiety, during which he
did anything that would bring him an
honest meal, even holding horses and re-
ceiving many curses and little money, he
| became a porter in large store. His in
| telligence and good manners attracted the
notice of an upper clerk, who assisted
him to get a better place.
| In year he had fair wages. He sent
some of his wages to his brothers, laid
| little aside, and lived very frugally with
what remained. He boarded in a poor
house. with crowd of young men all
struggling to live.
Nothing discouraged him. His great
love for his distant friends kept
his heart steadfast. AT night, when
he lay in the darkness, on his poor
| bed, he lived over the happy DAYS of his
life, and many beautiful thoughts came
floating through his brain. He longed to
| write them down, and, in the future, read
| them to his wife. So, in the pauses of his
| labor, he began to write on scraps of
paper, and, in summer evenings, to copy
| on large pieces what he had written. He
bought his paper and ink with the price
| of two meals, and made pen out of the
goose-feather which he had found in the
| field. at will be of some use, if it does
| not bring me fortune" said he to himself
By degrees Hawald's thoughts shaped
themselves into story, and the goose
quill traced on the thin paper records of
beautiful lives. 1t seemed that the ten
derness of all the souls he had known
showed itself to Hawaii, as he sat with
his pen in his tired hand, which never
felt tired when he was writing. His work
took possession of him soon, so that it
was never out of his mind.
But he grew poorer and poorer, and at
length hard work by day, and earnest
thought by night, and inconsistencies, and
longing, did their work. and Hawaii fell
sick. The poor young man who shared
wald drew very near death. When he be-
gan to recover, the time passed YEARLY.
He could see nothing in the future but
poverty, drudgcry, and disappointment
He became so sad that his friend tried in
vain to cheer him, and it seemed that
grief would do what sickness had not
done, and that Hawaii must die.
One day, when his companion was put
ting their little room in order, he raised
pile of manuscript that lay on the table,
and asked Hawaii what he was going to
do with it.
"Do with it?" asked Hawaii, in sur
prise, recognizing his work. 81 am going
to destroy it. 1t is the useless record of a
wasted life"
"Destroy itr' exclaimed his friend.
"No; don't do that. l know something
about books, and that one will make your
fortune. l glanced at it several times
while you were ill, and thought you were
writing it to sell. Let me take it with me
this afternoon, and show is to a publisher.
destroy it,"
Every WE'LL" said Hawaii, YEARLY; "do
as you will"
Several days passed. Hawaii seemed
to have forgotten his manuscript, and his
friend did not speak of it. One evening,
as they sat silent and weary, the little
housemaid brought letter to the young
clerk. Nnen he nau reau IL, he turned 10
Hawaii, joyfully:
"Your book is accepted" he cried,
land the publisher offers you money
enough for the first edition to pay all you
owe and to enable you 10 marry the pretty
girl at home. And he will give you more
money afterwards. Read the letter and
seer'
The good news was indeed true, and
success did more than medicine could do
for Hawaii. When he was able to walk
he went to the publisher, who engaged
him to write a new book, and told him
that he would surely become famous.
Then Hawaii went home and married the
miller's pretty niece, and took his great
grandmother to live with him. The old
woman was very proud of him, and was
delighted beyond measure when he told
her that he had written with the quill
which he had found in the field.
81 told you it was magic quill" she
said, "and you see that it has brought you
good fortune"
Hawaii did not contradict her, for she
had become SO childish with age, that she
could not bear to be contradicted. But
he knew that the only magic which he
had used had been hard labor, and great
love for what he was dOinr-WHat Merit.