Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1874-05-21

I
denoting his calling. Days passed and no
patronage came. lie saw his dollars 60
ing out with none coming.
! II must economze." he concluded; II
will give up my boarding place to begin
with"
After this the lounge in his office was
his bed, aud the cheap restaurant got his
patronage. Still these measures only
checke the drain upon his store. The few
professional calls that he had were mainly
from those too poor or too dishonest to
pay, and his income did not one-half meet
his closely curtailed expenses. He grew
| down hearted aud discouraged. Month af-
| ter month passed, and at last his money
was all gone. What should he do? The
| idea of giving up his profession was dis
tasteful, and he clung TO hope until actual
want came in the shape of unappeased
hunger. Then one by one he pawned his
fine surgical instruments , getting but =
small fraction Of their real value. Arti-
cles of clothing followed until he found
himself utterly unprovided so meet the
cold weather that was coming on.
Finally, convinced that he must aban-
/ don his profession, he studied the want"
columns of the newsp apers, and spent two
entire days In trying in vain to get employ
ment. The last of these two days he ate
nothing, and previous short allowance had
enfeebled him. When night came he stag
gered wearily to his OH ce to fnd that af-
/ ter repeated warnings, the landlord had
/ possession and locked the door.
With his brain whiring and his limbs
: to;tering with weakness, DR.. Cotton wan
/ dered, he scarcely knew where. Hunger
and fatigue were doing their work. lie
had walked several blocks when his eyes
1 fell upon carriage standing at the curb.
/ coachman in livery sat upon the box
7 and the door stood open. Just then a lady
came out OF an adjacent house, and walked
( towards the vehicle. The fami,hed man
saw that she carried n pocket-book in her
hand. The demon of hunger suggested
robbery as his eyes fastened upon the we'll
filled treasure. lie darted forward so
8
an instant she looked fXedly In his face.
A strange expression passed over her feat
ures, but it seemed scarcely that of fear
She hesitated moment, and then laid the
tips of her fingers upon his arm.
Il have been waiting for you" she said ,
get into-the carriage please"
Wondering at the meaning of her words,
ard scarcely knowing or caring what he
did. DR.. Cotton did as he was requested.
Drive home said the lady TO the driver.
and away they were borne up a fsshiona-
Die avenue.
She has mistaken Inc for somebody
else" he thought. land must undccelve
her"
Then he said aloud; =
you doubtless have made some mis-
take-at least | have forgotten you II l
have ever had the honor Of an acQuain-
tance."
No sir was the reply, Il have made
no mistake; but the explanation is too
long TO be made here. Will you not wait
till reach my homer
DIR. Cotton assented. wandering il the
whole adventure was not creation OF the
feycred brain.
They arrived after short drive at q
brown stone mansion of considerable size
and beauty. The carriage. stopped, and
the lady led the way up the stairs and in
10 the hall. Here the weakened strength
] or a. h. i,ttn
chair half fainting.
Nv hy, what is the NATTER" asked the
lady. in great concern. Are you ill?"
! Only starving" was the bitter coucess-
ion. II have eaten nothing for two
days"
The lady hastily summoned the ser
wants and had him assisted to an easy
chair. Tempting viands and generous
wine were placed before him, of which he
partook with good effect, feeling stronger
and better Immediately after the meal.
! The lady had absented herself during
lis repast, but now she returned, divested
| of her street dress, aud wearing a rich
! robe. For the first time DIR. Cotton stud
led her face, he thought it the most perfect
in loyelness that he had ever seen.
"Are you prepared for an explanation Of
my rather strange conduct?" she said.
DIR. Cotton bowed.
do you not remember me-" she asked.
lie looked at her face again but could
not recall it.
I. 10 cha .t,
Baxter street, years ago, Of talking with
dirty, ragged little girl-of telling her that
she was too pretty to live there, and of
sending her to the Girls Refuge1"
''Yes." after thinking a moment, he re-
membered the circumstance.
II am the same girl" and she smiled
merrily at Colton's look of amazement
81 went to the Refuge as you told me to
do. and was kindly received. l proved an
apt scholar, aud at the age of seventeen,
was able to get a situation a. teacher in
one OF the public schools. Ihad thus been
employed but flew months, when a
wealthy retired merchant, named Arthur
Ralston, formed my acquaintance. and ask
ed me to marry him. had no friends and
his honorable conduct won my esteem.
married him, only to become within
year, widow with q fortune. All this
time have never forgotten the author of
my success, and have always longed to re-
ward him in some way for the advice
which proved so valuable. And fear"
she added kindly, THAT my assistance was
badly needed
"Indeed 1t was" aud Cotton related his
career.
DR.. Cotton slep soundly that night. under
the roof Of Rose Ralston. The next day
he returned to his ofice-his portege, as
she called herself, insisted upon furnishing