The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1875-05-06

opportunity. Wealth beyond. calculs
ton for little price.
Here Bobbv's conscience began its re
proof. "a little price | Do you place
no greater estimate upon your honor
than this Would Jacob Harder take
only fifteen hundred dollars for the land
| if he was aware of the coal vein? Is
it not worth more than ten times as
much 2?
/ Then the evil one again
you discovered it it is yours. You
will be giving the close listed old mas
ter all he asks. Think how secure your
future will then be. Wealth. position,
leisure, and beautiful wife will all be
yours"
Poor Bobby was dazzled, and, like
many other bslore him, he gave way,
put aside the warnings of conscience,
! and fastened over to Farmer Harder's.
The old gentleman was very willing
to close the bargain Immediately, and,
full Of excitement, Bobby fastened to
tell his changed prospects to Katie Sad
/ don.
A moments silence followed the re-
cital, for Bobby told the fair girl
the whole truth ; then the pure, speak
ing eyes were raised to his face, and
he knew before she spoke that he was
condemned.
"Oh, / am 80 sorryW
How everything seemed clouded.
His BRIGHTEST vision falel
81 did not expect you to be sorry
Katie. thought you would be rejoic-
ed"
What Reioiced over your doing Il
dishonest action No, dear Bobby, |
cannot believe you have really taken
advantage of Mr. Harder's ignorance. y
katie, paid him every dollar he
! asked
HE was not aware of its value when
he sold il ?"
"Of course | was not foolish enough to
tell him then.
Katie still repeated her sorrow, and
all Bobby's brilliant castles were swept
away.
Earnestly and eloquently he spoke to
her of wealth and fame and happiness
! There was winsome magic in his words
and Katie sadly listened
II sincerely wish, love that all you
tell me could be realized. 1t is impossi-
bic under these circumstances. You
must undo your bargain, she finally
said.
Il cannot do it, Katie. l have bid
den farewell to toll and privation
You will now have reason to be prond
of me. Wealth will overcome all the
obstacles in my path, replied Atchison
as firmly.
Drawing her hand from his tender
clasp. the little woman looked him sad
" but decidedly in the eyes.
do you love me- Robert Atchson ~
'Oh, Katie how can you ask -
Then YOU must choose between me
and the coalbeds, for will nevar marry
YOU until you have repaired this wrong
4 look of establishment came over the
Young mans face, and for Il moment he
felt like wavering; but the sense of his
treasure and all it brought with it came
over him, and he only said
Katie, this fooliShness. | thought you
loved me too well to accuse me ofwrong
doing. do not think ought to give up
to YOU in this thing. Your idea of right
is unnecessarily exalted.
Then | must say farewell Bobby
though it breaks my heart. ] am sure you
will come to your right mind before it is
too late
Katie, you are speaking cruel words
to one who loves YOU
81 am only saving truthful ones.
You are trm?'
Firm 81 the rocks"
Then good-by." He arose and quickly
left her without one tender look or word.
This faulty hero of ours slept but little
that night He was torn by invisi BILE hands
of mighty strength. On one side he saw
fame and wealth; while beautiful happi-
ness stood upon the other, lowering near
Katie Saddon.
Oh. these secret battles, how terrible
they are No noise, no sword-claShing,
10 cannon-boOming, no display-yet
more fearful than fIeshly battles by far.
Robert Atkinson 5 struggle was grave
one. Alternately striding up and down
the llOOf Oh MS cHdIup't, tICH NHIO"'llS
him sell upon his couch, he fought the
enemy through the long hours Of night.
He had dreamed so long of wealth he
burned to see the great world outside the
hills that hedged hin i'm He longed to zee
and know the great men whose books he
loved so well, and learned of them the
mighty secret Of Nature which remained
locked to him alone. Money would bring
the contamination Of these desires and
greater things. This meney was now Of
tered to hin in quantities far beyond
his widest hopes or. dreams. He could
not. he would not yield the prize to an
other. What did old Jacob Harder want
with money? He WAS old and misery
and-but Just here came the specous
pleading Of Eugene Aram into his mind.
Think as he would, turn the struggle
and wrestle, one good angel seemed to
hover near. He could not shut out the
pleading eyes of Katie Saddon.
Could he give her up? With wealth
and position secure, could he ENJOY them
deprived Of her society?
Thus she saved him, as thousands OF
good women before her have saved the
men they loved from evil.
When the b right morning sun kissed
the brow of the hill, and smiled on forest
and field with kindly favor, Robert
Atkinson threw wide open door and
easement as il TO Danish the evil spirits
of the night, and left his chamber victor
He had battled against the'' root of all.
evil" and had bravely conquered.
From that moment he knew he was
moral hero, and success was his.
Jacob Harder was surprise to- see his.
ncighbor Atchison so early in the morn
ing. and SO he told him.
IL have come on important business.
| wish YOU to release me from our con-
tract =,
.Humph! Won't do it" said the old
man scntentiOnsly
However, when the young man told
him what great riches lay concealed
beneath his barren Ill he picked up his
eur, and rubbed his hands in unspeaka-
bic glee. Eagerly he nulliffed the con-