Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1873-02-28
THE MIsER'S WILL.

What" muttered Noah Brennan, gazing
into Walter Adams face, 'do mean to say
that you'll give me home, too-'hat you
will provide for me and help me ?
Yes returned the youth, hopefully
I could never be happy with Agnes. much
as loved her. if | thought her dear oh
'ather had no home. Come. we vii live
together, and be as happy as the Gays arr
long p
But your salary =
"Is sufficient fer us. have five hun
bred dollars ye#r, We can live on that
aud lay up something. too
We'll, well-tak4 her-love her-be
good to hei-make her haItpy-and dou'
uever---'
When the oh man saw the joyous tear
streaming from his chIi's eyes. he turf &c
away and walked quickly from the lou e
but ne was not so quick but that he hearo
the blessings that followed him. Aad when
be walk d alone beneath thu starry heavens
be wiped his eyes as though something
tronE led bin.
Gay as a lark was gentle. beautiful Ag
mes, when she became the wife ct '"al
ter Adams The rose bloomed again upon
beI cheek and smiles we're up IA her happy
face, like sunshine, Ill the day ling.
DO you pray God to 10 you to Low
me now? the old man ask ed. ter he hao
lived with Walt r some two months
Why, what do you mean 2 Agnes asked
II surprise.
You used t, pray SO, for I heard you,
re turned Nab
A moment the young wife gazfd into he'
parents face, and then she answered. Will
she threw her arms about his neck
oh pray th t you may be spared
US for long years in peace and happiness
But-love you? o.. I could not help ii
it should try. And W~I.er loves you
very much, for be has t Id me 80 many
| timrs.'
There was something more than usus il
the old mau's eyes now.
One evening, as the happy rio sat at th'
TIA table. Waller looked more tboughtfu
han was bis won't
What is it. love p Agnes asked.
Oh not hing the hu band said, with
smile, L was Only thiuklhg.
But of what ?
'Only castle building. that's ALL
In the air, Walter 2 asked Noah.
Yes. very high 10 the air. the your
man replied, with a laugh.
But Il what.t is.
| well, Id lief Il you as not Mr.. Os
good is to retire from our firm in few days
He is we'll advanced in years. and has made
a fortune in the busin sss, and will now live
for comfort and health alone. He has moi
been very well of late years
And is that all p
No | am to be advanced to the post
head book keeper, with salary of twelv'
hundred dollars
Aud is that all 2
Yes
But what castle in the air is there abou
that 2"
Oh that isn't the CASTLE
Then what is the castle 2 urged the ole
man.
! Why simply tbis,' said Walter, laugh
| ing, but yet almost ashamed to tell il. 'Tbi
noon Mr.. Osgood pstted NE on the shoulder
and said he, 10 a playful way, Walter, II
sell you all my interest here for fifty thou
sand dol'ars.'''
'Ha, ha, hap laughed Noah Brennan
and you thought he was in earnest?
No, no. quickly returned the ,oun,
man. L did not think that, though I knew
that the two other partners would wiil,ngl,
have me for an associate
"But it seems to me that Osgood hold
bis share in the concern at high price
ooh, no; it is very low one. Tnere
a lear capital Of one hundred and fift
thousand dollars in the business at this me
mept. And think O. all the standing an
good will, which goes for nothing
'Ha. ha. ha.' laugh d the old man again
| Then Walter laughed, anil then Agne
laughed and then they flashed their supper
On the next evening Walter Adams cam
in and sat down on the sofa without speak
ing. He was pale aud agita,ed, and hi
ey es had vacant, wand ring stare
Walter! cried Agnes, in terror, VIII;
has happened 2
He's SICK muttered Noah Brennan
without looking around
No, no; not sick returned the youn
man, starting up, but [ am the victim of
miserable trifing.'
'Eh, bow?' asked old Noah, not turnin
in his chair.
"I'll tell you " said Walter, with spa
'oaic effort. 1 had some long entries
: post this evening, so | renamed in X
counting room after the rest had gone.
was still at work when Mr. Osgood came
and placed some papers on my desk, sayin|
as he did SO: Here, Walter, these a
yours And then went out When / b.
y finished my work. / opened the papers. III
first Was sort of inve tory Of what Osgoe
has owned in the business, and footed
amounted to forty nine thousand eight hu
dred and seventy five dollars. The Dext P
per was deed conveying the whole va
L property to me, and making me a partner
II the concern upon equal footing with the OF
) We'll, said the old man humping b