Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1874-05-22

l)ub helNC tt pLOiSooiOh, III cetiN W nun
self, perfected by years of practical army
experience | will establish myself, and
prosperity will bring friends around me
again.
Naturally buoyant and hopeful, lie pre-
pared to recommence life, with good spirits
and bright anticipations for the future.
He hired respectable but modest Office on
a semi-fashionabc up town street, furnish
ished it plainly, and displayed sign de-
noting his calling. Days passed, and no
patronage. He saw his dollars going out
with none coming in.
Il must economize,' he concluded; 4
will give up my boading place to begin
with
After this the lounge in his Office was his
bed, and the cheap restaurant got his pa
tronage. Still these measures only checked
the drain upon his store. The few profess
sional 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 downhearted
and discouraged. Month after month
passed, and at last his money was all gone.
What should he do? The idea of giving
up his profession was distasteful, and he
clung to hope until actual want came in
the shape of unappeased hunger. Then
one by one he pawned his fine surgical in
struments getting but a small fraction of
their real value Articles of clothing fol-
lowed until he found himself utterly unpro-
vided to meet the cold weather that was
| coming on.
Finally, convinced that he must abandon
his profession, he studied the want
columns Of the newspaper, and spent two
entire days in trying in vain to get en-
ployment. The last of these two days he
ate nothing, and previous short allowance
had enfcebled him. When night came be
staggered wearily to his Office to find that
the landlord had taken possession and lock-
cd the door.
With his brain whirling and his limbs
lettering with weakness, DR.. Cotton wan
dered he scarcely knew where. Hunger and
fatigue were doing their work. He walked
several blocks when his eyes fell upon
carriage standing at the curb. y coach
man in livery sat upon the box, and the
door stood open. Just then lady came
out Of an adjacent house, and walked to-
| ward the vehicle. The famished man saw
that she carried pocket-boOk in her hand.
The demon of hunger suggested robbery
as his eyes tasted upon the well filled trea-
sure. He darted forward quickly as to
attract her attention, and for an instance
she looked fixed in his face. A strange
expression passed over her features, but
seemed scarcely that Of fear. She hesitated
moment, and then laid the tip of her
fingers upon his arm.
L have been waiting for you,' she said
get into the carriage, please
Wandering at the meaning of her words,
and scarcely knowing or caring what he
did, DR.. Cotton did as he was requested.
Drive home, said the lady 20 the driver
and away they were borne up fashionable
avenue.
she has mistaken me for somebody else,'
he thought, and must undeceive her.
Then he said aloud You have doubt
less made some mistake-at least l have
forgotten you, if | ever had the honor of an
acquaintance
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 l
reach my home p
DR.. Cotton assented, wondering if the
whole adventure was creation of his fever
ed brain.
They arrived after a short drive, at
| brown stone mansion of considerable size
and beauty. The carriage stopped, and
the lady led the way up the stairs into the
hall. Here the weakened strength of the
doctor gave way. aud he sank into chair
half fainting.
why, what is the matter p asked the
lady in great concern, Are you ill p
Only starving was the bitter cOntes-
sion. L have eaten nothing for two days
The lady hastily summoned the servants
and had him assisted to an easy chair.
Tempting viands and generous wines were
placed before him, of which he partook with
good effect, feeling stronger and better i'm
mediately after the meal.
The lady had absented herself during his
repast, but now she returned, divested OF
her street dress, and wearing rich robe.
For the first time DR.. Cotton studied her
face, he thought, the most perfect in love
illness that he had ever seen.
Are you prepared for an explanation of
my rather strange conduct 2 she said.
Dr. Cotton bowed.
Do you not remember me ? she asked.
He looked at her face again, but could
not recall it.
DO YOU remember she continued, in
Baxter street, years ago, of talking with
dirty ragged little girl-of telling her that
she was too pretty to live there and sending
her to the Girls Refuge p
After thinking moment, he said he did
remember that circumstance.
Il am the same GIRL and she smiled
merrily at Colton's look of amazement. Il
went to the Refuge as you told me to do,
and was kindly received. l proved an apt
scholar, and at the age of seventeen was
able to get situation as teacher in one OF
the public schools. / had thus been en-
ployed but a few months, when wealthy
retired merchant, named Arthur RalstOn,
formed my acquaintance, and asked me to
marry him. l had no friends and his hon.
orable conduct won my esteem. | then
married him, only to become within year,
widow with fortune. All this time l
have never forgotten the author of my sue
cess, and have always longed to reward
him in some way for the advice which prov