Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1874-09-04


in the neighboring town, and although
search was made they could not be
traced. The honest gardener did moi
admire the symmetry of the thing SC
much this time. He grieved over the
loss of his boy, gave up work and died
just before the return of his master. My
grandfather never got over this blow to
his pride; he sent his daughter, my dear
mother, off to boarding school and shut
himself up in the once pleasant home,
allowing no one to speak to him but his
faithful old friend the housekeeper. His
son and the other boy were never heard
from. 1t was thought they were both
lost at sea-"
"What sad history~ cried Mrs. Clin
ton.
"The old man, after secluding himself
for some years, again started on his
travels. This time it was said he went to
| Brazil. He did not return until my
mother was in her twenty-second year
When he did come he was looking old
and care-worn, and apparently poor. He
never made much of his daughter, but
settled his affairs, giving the house, fur
niture and ground TO his only child, tell.
ing her he had small bridal gift ready
for her provided she should marry to
please him. What the gift was she could
not learn. He had often spent hours at
the old desk-that bureau, my dear, that
you are so fond of exploring-and he
often gave orders that it should be the first
care of any of the household in case of
fire or other accident. Poor old man!
he was found one morning sitting by his
| favorite desk stiff and stark; he had
evidently died in the night, alone and
unheard. OF course my mother was
stunned, but she could not be expected
to mourn very deeply the loss of such a
parent He -"
"And what of the small bridal gift,
Tom9"
Nothing. There was not one. The
old desk was searched, but nothing of
value found. Some old letters, papers,
and such like were there in plenty; but
the promised bridal gift was nowhere to
be seen, there or elsewhere.
My mother married soon afterward,"
continued Mr. Clinton, after a pause;
"and l was born in the old home But
alas that dear place is mine no longer.
After my fathers death it became neces-
sary to sell it for our support, and when
| was only fifteen my poor mother died,
| leaving me nothing but her love and
kind precepts and the little that remained
of her household furniture, the old bu-
reau desk among it."
at is very handsome still, Tom,
| though it is old"
"Very handsome. And now, my dear,
l must leave you," he added, "for !
have some work to do at the Office yet.
AS to the old bureau, we will still treas
ure it; for, do you know, used to fancy
there must be some treasure in it,
though whence / derived the notion /
can't tell. OF course, you'll laugh at
that, Eunice?"
He went off, laughing himself Mrs
Clinton gave a sigh of relief, took out
the new spoons, and tried hard to take
as much delight in them as she had done
in the morning. What good could they
| ever do her if Tom was not to see them
Tnap Uiti WulUn' 'wasl stnvit- nv-erOr'rru.->r
but she heartily wished for it back again
If she could only take it to Tom, and tel
him she had found it in the old desk! He
| certainly had never discovered the
watch, or he would have mentioned 1t tC
her But strange repentance clung to
her for what she had done; and for st
trifling matter she really could not tel
why it should.
Mrs Clinton sat back in her chair, anC
cried harder than she had ever cried be
fore. To think of keeping a secret from
Tom; that was what she could not bear
and vet, to tell him of the bargain-tha
she had dealt with peddler--had evel
chartered off his winter pantaloons!-hoV
Tom would laugh at her, tell her fathe
and sisters, and-and-well, she woul
never hear the last of it.
Tom came in to tea, full of news, an
quite excited about a man who had bee
taken suddenly i'll at the village inn. :"
cannot walk out with you as promised
Eunice," said the young lawyer, for
have to be at the inn at nine o'clock,
make the old fellows will. Fancy pee
dler making a will"
"a peddler making will" repeate
, Eunice, her thoughts running upon he
peddler, and feeling somewhat b'
. wildered.
"It's what the landlord said when h
{ came to me at the office. And now mu
CO. Good-by, dear"
, Mrs. Clinton sat on in the dusk of TIL
summers evening. By and by gentl
p man whom she slightly knew came to IL
house, asked to see her, and addresse
+ her without ceremony
: "Mrs. Clinton, your husband has +
A duested me to call here and ask you
accompany me to the inn. He is engage
v there, and could not come for you hlT
i self"
Eunice was surprised, but did not he
!. itate. In another minute they we
walking down the street together III
# swinging sign of the Brown Bear was
/. sight, when it suddenly occurred to d
Young wife that all this was curious.
o Why had Tom sent for her? 1t W
@ one of Toms tricks! Some of the
friends had come, and were stopping
,e the Brown Bear! Yes; that must be It,
ID But she found no friends. She W
id shown into parlor, and waited tho
Sc alone.
er Presently Tom came in, looking fiji
or ricd
a. "Eunice," he said, sternly, "was tho
peddler at our house to-dayW
N "Ye-es," answered his trembling wi
" And did you deal with himS WI
ig did you give himy"
r's "Oh, Toni j have so wanted to
ed YOU" sobbed Eunice; "but not her
W not nowW
he "Yes, here and now," returned her h
IN band; "you do not know how much
in pends on your words"
ooh ohl-please, Tom, don't look
Id at me! / only feared you would lal
,r. at me and tease me-and-perhaps
Id like Il. IL will never do so again"
M Just tell me what you did do" c.
on manded Mr.. Clinton.
Sc. Eunice, wishing she could sink thro'
ho the floor, but trying to be brave, nov
nd had come to this, made clean breas'
,ry 1.-THE old watch, pantaloons and all
n Tom stood aghast; then, taking Eur
by the hand, he led her upstairs to
ce. bedside of the sick man. 1t was the
dler of the morning; but alas,
old changedl A few cases of sad epide
of had occurred in the village during
the past week, and the peddler was stric
vas with it after eating very hearty din
de- The physician who was called in
by him he had no chance Tor life, and
, at poor man sent at once for Mr.. Clin
ter, asking for him as the husband OF
ear lady who lived in the white house at
the corner" For after his bargain he
llso informed himself who the Clintons v
Tom received the message, and lik
nY | voung LAWYERS on the lOOk-ou for p