Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1873-02-18
MIs SCOTLAND Eous.
TEE MIsER's WILL.


ttAHAT!' muttered Noah Brennan, gag
cggc ing into Waiter Adams face, do YOU
mean to say that you'll give me home, ton
that you will provide for me and help me 2"
Yes, returned the youth, hopefully
''l c"uld never be happy with Agnes, much
as loved her, if I thought her dear old
father had II" home. Come, we will live
together, and bo as happy as the days are
long?"
But your salary ?"
'ls sufficient for us. have five hundred
dollars year. We can live on that and Law
up something, too"
"Well, weil-take her-love her-he good
to her-make her happy-and don't never"
When the old man saw the joyous tears
streaming from his child's eyes, lie turned
away and walked quickly from the house. hut
he was not so quick hut that he heard the
blessings that followed him And when he
walked alone beneath the starry heavens. he
wiped his eyes as though something troubled
him
Gay as lark was gentle. beautiful Agnes.
when she became the wife of Walter Adams
The rose boomed again upon her check. and
smiles were upon her happy face, like sun>
shine, all the day long.
DO you nrav God to help you to love me
now 7" the old man asked, after he had lived
with Walter some two months
why, wha, do you mean ?" Agnes asked.
in surprise.
"Y"n used to pray so, for heard you,"
returned Noah
a moment the Young wife gazed into her
parents face, and then she answered. while
she threw her arms about his neck
"Oh pray that YOU may he spared to us
for long years in peaca ard happiness. But
1--we you? Oh, could not help it. if I
should try. And Walter loves you. father
he loves Won very much, for he has told me
SO mnny times
There was something more than usual in
the old mau's eyes now.
One evening, as the happy trio sa. at the
tea table, Walter looked more thou. htful than
was hs wont.
"Wha, is it, love 2" Agnes asked.
'Oh. nothing" the husband said, with a
smile, 81 was only thinking"
But of what ?''
"Only castle hnilding, that's ALL"
SIN the air, Walter?" asked Noah.
Eyes, very high in the air" the young man
replied, with laugh.
''l5ut tell what it is''
"Well, I'd lief tell you rs not. Mr. o.
He is we'll advanced in years and has made a
forum" IN the business, and will now live for
comfort and health alone. He has not been
very well of late years.
"A nd is that all ?''
mo I am to he advanced to the post Of
head book keeper. with a salary of twelvc>
hundred dollars"
And is tha. all -
eyes"
'But what castle in the air is there about
that ~
"Os, that isn't the castle"
"Thcn what is the castle ?'' urged tho old
man.
"Why, smnlv this" said Walter, lauph-
ing, hut vet almost ashamed to tell it, This
noon Mr.. O+goud ratted me on tho shoulder,
and said he. in playful way, 'Wa'cr, I'll
sell yot all my interest here for fifth thousand
dollars -
ola, ha, ha j" laughed Noah Brennan.
"an1 Won thought he was in earnest 2"
mo, no quickly returned the vonne man.
II did not think that, ,h..Dgh knew that the
two other partners would willingly have me
for assOcate.'
"But it seems to me that O+goGd holds his
share in the concern at high price -
"Oh, no; It is very low one There is
a clear capital of one hundred and fifty thou.
sand dollars in the business at this moment.
And think of all the standing and good will,
which goes for no,hing."
''Ha, hn, ha," laughed the old man again.
Then Walter laughed, and then Agnes
laughed and then they finished their snrper.
On The next evening Waller Adams came
in and sat down on the sofa without speakino
He was pale and agirated, and his eyes had
vacant wandering stare.
Waller" cried Agnes. in terror. s.what
has happened 2''
Hes sick, mut'ered Noah BrennaH.
without hooking around
''NO. no; not sick" returned the Young
man, starting mp, but am the victim of
miserable trifing"
''Eh, how?" asked old Noah, now turning
in his chair.
''Tll tell you," said Walter, with spas
modIc effort. Il had some long entries to
post this evening, SO remained in the count
ing>room after the re>t had gone. was still
at work when Mr.. Osgood came in and placed
some papers on my desk, saying as h did so
fl1ere, Walter, these are yours And then
he went out When had finished nv work.
1 opened the papers The frst was a sort of
inventory of What O-good has owned in the
business, and footed up amounted to forty
nine thousand eight hundred and seventy five
dollars The next paper was deed Convey.
ing the whole vast property to me, and mak>
ing uie a partner in the concern upon equal
footing with the other two"
'Well," said the old msh, thumpiug his