The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1873-10-24

to Mr.. Lindsay, who in turn handed
over the mortgage of the homestead
to Mr.. Wilson. Then he turned
quickly and went out. Mr.. Seldom
! looked after him with his sharp,
bright eyes, but no one else appear
ed to notice it as being anything un-
usual that a hired man should in
trude himself upon such an occa-
sion.
And now the business is over, l
will take the opportunity of saying
a word about this same Paul Leices-
ter.
First he was q stranger in Dalton,
that is he had been there little
over two months, having come early
in April. He had seemed so anx-
ious for employment, and offered to
work so cheaply withal, and upon
such easy terms-not asking for pay
ment until Christmas-that Mr..
Lindsay had thought it best to take
him. He could not work the farm
alone, and was specially anxious to
do a great deal this season, to try
and recover himself.
Mr.. Leicester was not very much
used to farm work, it was quite evi
dent, but he was so ready to learn,
and so quiet and persistent about
Everything he undertook, that Mr.
Lindsay was delighted with his bar
gain. He was extremely reticent at
first, but by degrees he had grown
more free, and once or twice surpris-
ed them with such genial flow of
wit and spirits that Mr. Lindsay had
declared himself unable to see what
sent him there a man of his ability.
And now a word in regard to Mr..
ILindsay's embarrassments. For
three consecutive seasons the har-
vests had been extremely light in
this section, scarcely paying for the
outlay of money and labor, to say
nothing ofprofit. Then the expense
of living was considerable, for ten
persons required no small amount of
food to make no mention of the
garments that will wax old. Added
to this was a long and severe illness,
lasting all winter, and running him
behind to such an extent, that he
saw no other way to go on with his
work than to hire money. This it
was next to impossible to do, and
after some pretty severe struggles
with his pride, he so far overcame
lit as to write to Julian Richardson,
a second cousin, living in New Or
leans, and reputed very wealthy. He
had never seen him, but had heard
that he was unmarried and some
what eccentric. And so, in this
straight, he ventured to appeal to
him. He wrote the first letter IN
February, but it was unanswered.
After waiting in state of nervous
anxiety and suspense for a week or
two, he wrote again. This time his
letter was returned after being
Opened, but without a line in answer.
He struggled along a month or two
more, and then he went to see Amos
Wilson, with the final result hereto
fore described.
l The days slipped away like golden
sands, and the summer grew in
beauty and brightness to Della Lind
say. The sunshine fell into her
heart as softly as it capped the
the green, blossomy hills. Fhe daily
ldrudgery of toll became suddenly
frightened and illuminated by this
same golden glow and the world
grew dear, and life looked only a
sweet and beautiful dream.
Into this supreme atmosphere, one
lday, a sudden cloud broke. 1t had
been no larger than a mans hand ;
for weeks she had not discovered it
and was therefore totally unprepar-
ed for the great darkness that came
upon her. She had returned from q
long ramble over the prairie, her
hands loaded with blossoms, and
stood by the door describing their
names and habits to Paul Leicester,
whose grave face was softened into
"a rare tender smile, whenever the
pretty brown eyes and wild rose
cheeks were lifted to his face.
"Della, my dear, 1 want you a mo-
ment," her father said coming out OF
the entry.
Without word she followed him
lin, the blossoms still in her hands,
and some of them dropping on the
, floor as she walked.
"Come this way, my child" Mr..
Lindsay said, passing before her
and opening the door of the parlor,
, where, sharply outlined against the
sunset sky, stood Amos Wilson, his
back to the window, and his great
ungainly form showing in bold re-
| lief against the light.
Somehow the feeling OF depression
f which had so weighed her down on
1.-THE day the homestead was mort
gagged came upon her again, and she
Ifelt her face grow white and rigid
: Mr.. Lindsay closed the door care
fully, and came forward to his
daughters side.
Della" he said, struggling to ap
. pear calm, "Mr Wilson has done me
1.-The honor to ask permission 10 pay
his court to my daughter I have
! told him my girl is free to answer
for herself-what shall it be Dellap
y Della cast one quick glance int(
, her fathers face, and saw all III
Z Ieager hope and anxiety. Then SIT
, turned to Amos Wilson, who haC
taken a step forward and was look
/. ling at her sharply from under hi
!. low brows, his pale face burning
with opaline tints. Involuntaril.
+ Eshe shuddered and drew back.
. II do not love Mr.. Wilson, father
. she said family.
o "But you can learn to love him
. Della" he said quickly, his lip
o ltwitching nervously.
al 'No, father, cannot" she said
a this time firmly. 81 thank Mr.. vii
M son for the honor he has done me
h but 1 do not love him, and you d
a not ask me to marry man l do no
IS love father"
! mo, my child, do not ask that,
l.