The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-02-27

she told me of the great city, Of the open
ing there for energy, industry and talent.
She found | was fond Of reading, and lent
me volumes Of poetry she had brought
with her from the city Books were rare
treasures forty years ago, win. We read
the sweet measured lines together; we
walked together in shaded lanes, and i
gathered wild flowers which she wore In
her bosom and hair. To make a long
story short, Will, ] loved her with all the
wild enthusiasm of boy, and the mature
reason of man. She was far above me
in grace, in beauty and goodness, but she
was gentle as she was fair, modest and
tender.
When told her my love she laid her
little white hand in my rough brown one,
and promised to be my wife. Then she
came home to the city, aud | added dollar
after dollar to my hoard, to follow her.
Mrs. Nelson wrote to Josephiue's father
for me, and he promised me place in his
countinghouse il | came to the city. !
came, Will Then found out why my
suit was favored, why no cross had been
laid upon my darling's love. had thought
her pale, delicate beauty was only city re-
finement, compared with the robust charms
Of our country lasses. ] found that it was
the beauty of that scourge of the seaside
cities-consumption. Her parents knew
my darling could not live to be my bride,
but because she had given me the treasure
of her love, they made me welcome as a
son in their home.
:" / spent my days in the counting house
of Mr.. Nelson, my evenings with jose
phiue. Slowly she faded before my loving
eyes, growing weaker and weaker, till she
died, claspiug my hand in hers. That was
forty years ago, VIII, and have loved no
woman since will keep faith with Jos
ephine till we meet in Heaven. When
die, VIII, all have will be yours, but
bury this with me-
As he spoke he put a small locket that
had been hidden in his bosom, into Wills
hands. Opening it he disclosed the face
of very beautiful woman, Al the SIGHT
of it viii said
:" How much like Flory Hartlyr'
Mrs Hartly is Josephines sister, said
Uncle Josh, quietly. snow you know
why am so fond of Flory."
There was a long silence, aud Uncle
Josh knew by Wills face and the firm
grasp of his hand that his story had fallen
on sympathizing affection.
Come" he said cheerfully, after long
pause, "if Miss Holway has actually ac-
ccpted, must see about wedding present. -
"She actually has, said win, "ond the
money saved for a piano is to 90 for a
troussedu."
Is that a hint for me to buy piano p
laughed Uncle Josh "Well, will"
But when the wedding-dny was fixed,
and Will consulted Uncle Josh about
house, he was informed that Mrs. Stan
tons wedding present from her new uncle
would be neat brown stone house fully
furnished, including the piano, with one
room reserved for Uncle Josh.
There are childrens voices now in the
handsome house, and Uncle Josh has stood
godfather to a sturdy namesake. The
sun Of prosperity shines upon win, but he
says business success, his happy home, his
freedom from worldly pcrplexities, have
all depended upon the good sense of his
wife, who, In oil expenditures, all charities,
first considered whether or not she can
afford the outlay; and while she is liberal
and large hearted, is never ashamed to
exercise economy, If necessary, or to de-
cline an extravaganza.