Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-01-22
1aitg Aetasbet sournal,
THE BiMBER FORTUNE.
A NEW YEARS STORY.
rcoSrrSUED FROM YESTERDAY.


rcoSrINUED FROM YESTERDAY.
Clergyman are not always the best finan-
ancial advisers. Mrs. Bamber's face grew
very long when she saw the trainers bill.
St0neport was skeptieal of these daubs;
besides, the widow asked a fabulous price
for them. Stoneport knew chrome and
a modern landscape full of lively coioring
but such dismal things were not to its
taste. 49,
The last night Of the year closed in sad
". Mrs. Bamber sat long beside the
Morning glory stove in the parlor back oil
the shop, slipping her tea, in which bever-
age alone lay consolation. A portrait OF
DR.. Bamber, representing him as some
what wall-eyed gentleman. hung above
her, and opposite a cabinet displayed
among other relics several skulls prepared
by the lamented Archibald. Her thoughts
went back t2a dreas2aE day on an emf
grant wharf when she landed with her
husband, who had been injured by fall
on the voyage. The sense of desolate
inconsistencies again swept over her now,
twelve years later, and gentleman with
good-humored rosy face spoke to her
kindly. Could she ever forget that this
Samaritan was Dir. Plat, of Stoneport,
now gone to his reward? He had asked
law questions, but had brought the friend
less chemist TO his own town, and estab-
lished him in business. No one knew the
cost of it all. 1t was not the good physi-
clans way to make his charity burden.
Mrs. Bamber wiped his eyes as she slipped
her tea by the stove. and the night closed
in.
Up on the hill the old Plat homestead
was shrouded in gloom. and revealed only
one dim light in the dining room 1t was
brick house, with white pillars support
ing projecting roof, shaded in summer
by large trees, and seemed in the clear,
crisp evening surrounded by tender mem
cries. Now it was all to be swept away,
for the doctors purse had been ever open.
and he had left wife and son in straight
ened circumstances. The lovers stood in
the window. hand clasped in hand, as il
claiming silent mutual support, while
Mrs. Plat, a stout lady with querulous
mouth, wandered from room to room gaz
ing at her household gods.
Even little Mrs. Bamber owns the
roof over her head, and all owing to the
DOCTOR" sobbed the poor lady, taking up
favorite tea cup with a loving touch.
The Young son set his teeth and drew
long breath. Charlotte could only lean
her brow against the cool pane. Ii they
knew all The night brought sorrow, but
the ensuing day was only anticipated
with dread.
Hiram briggs made himself comfort
able on the yellow satin couch OF his little
porlor. with decanter OF wine at his ell
bow and cigar. If conscience is mat
ter of education, he shonld have been
wholly at ease, but there had been an ex-
preston in Charlotte Eaton's eyes as she
departed that day which pricked him
smartly even in remembrance. This look
he, might never forget. The wonderful
backward glance of the Cenci haunts
world. Lounging on the yellow sofa, he
reasoned himself out of these fancies.
He would gain at cheap rate fine home
DR.. Plat was reckless spendthrift, in
his day, and his creditors need not be
ARMED for that. AS for Charlotte, he
might make terms with that proud young
lady yet. Altogether the evening passed
not unpleasantly for him in planning i'm
proyements of his new property.
lcoNrINUEp TOMORROW.