The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1875-09-07

Agnes in alright.
Mot" But the old man spoke NJ
further. He saw that he had taken th,
wrong trunk. This was only filled witt
old cards and musty receipts.
"Ruined! LOST" groaned Noah Brcm
Ell, as he turned from the scattered en-
bers. IL had 100000 in that trunk
where is it now ?"
"Never mind" said Agnes, wndin,
her arm about ner fathers neck, "wcl
be happy without it..
"You can live with us" said Walter
"What ?" uttered Noah Bremen, gaz
ing into Walter Adams face. do yot
mean that you will give me home, too.
That you will provide for me and keel
me-"
"Yes." returned the youth hopefully
II never could bc happy with Agnes
much as l love her, if | thought her poo:
old father had no home. Come, wei
live together, and be as happy as the
days are long"
but your salary, young mau2'
"Is sufficient for US, sir have 81 ,00C
year. We eau live on that, and lay
up something, too"
"Well. well-take her, love her. be
good to her, make her happy, don't ever
-
When the old man saw the ioyods
tears leap from his child's eye he turned
away and walked quietly from the house;
but he was not so quick but that he heard
the blessing that followed him. And
when he walked alone beneath the starry
heavens he wiped his eyes as though
something troubled him,
Gay as lark was gentle, beautiful
Agnes when she became the wife of Wal.
ter Adams. The rose boomed again up.
on her cheek and the smiles were upon
her happy face like sunshine, all the
day long.
"Do you pray to God to help you to
love me now2" the old man asked, after
she had lived with Walter some months.
"Why-what do you mean2" asked
Agnes in surprise.
"You used to pray 30, for have heard
you," returned Noah.
A moment the young wife gazed into
her parents face and then she answered
while she threw her arms around his
neck,
"Oh! l pray that you may be spared
to us for long years in peace and happi-
ness butt love you. OH | could
not help it if | should try. And Wal
ter loves you. father-he loves you very
much, for he had told NE so many
times"
There was something more than usual
in the old mans eye.
One evening as the happy trio sat at
the tea'table, Walter looked more
thoughtfully than his wont.
What is it love?" Agnes asked
"Oh-nothing," the husband said
with smile. II was only thinking"
"But of what2"
"Only castle. buiding-thats ALL"
"In the air, Walter?" asked Noah.
"Yes-very high in the air." the
young man remarked with a laugh
"But tell US what it is"
"Well I'd as soon tell you as not
Mr.. Osgood is TO retire from our firm in
q few days. He is well advanced in life,
aud has made fortune in the business,
and he will live for comfort and health
alone. He has not been well Of late
years."
"And is that all o.
"Yes."
"But what castle In the air is there
about that?"
"Oh, that isn't the CASTLE"
"Then what it the castle2" urged the
old man playfully.
"Why, simply this" said Walter
laughing, but yet almost ashamed 10
tell it; This noon Mr.. Osgood patted
me on the shoulder and said he, in his
usual u. i. playful way, WHJsJtssr, III sell you
"Ha, ba, ha," laughed Noah Bremen +;
land you thought he was In earnest"
mo, MOI" quickly returned the young
man. "l did not think that-though l
know the other two partners would vii.
lingly have me as an associate"
But it seems to me that old Osgood
holds his share in the concern at q high
figure"
"Oh no. 1t is very low one. There
is clear capital of 100000 in the
business at this very moment and then
think Of the standing debts and good
will which goes for nothing
"Ha, ha, ha," laughed the old man
again.
Then Walter laughed and then Ag.
mes laughed and they finished their
supper.
On the next evening Walter Adams
came in and sank down upon the sofa
without speaking He was pale and
agitateJ, and his eyes had vacant
wondering look
Walter" cried Agnes in terror, "what
has happened p
Hes sick" muttered Noah Bremen
without turning round
"No, no, not sick" returned the young
man, starting up, "But | am the vic
tim of some miserable trihing."
"Eh how so p asked old Noah, turn
ing in his chair.
"I'll tell you" said Walter, with
spasmodic effort II had some long en-
tries to post this evening, so remained
in the counting room after the rest hac
gone. | was still at work when Mr.
O'good came in and placed some paper
on my desk. saying as he did so:-'IIer,
Walter, these are yours, and then h.
went out. When | had finished m,
work | opened the papers. The first wa
a sort ofinveutory of what Osgood ha,
owned in the business, and amounted uT
in square numbers - s99,S75. Th
next paper was deed conveying tn
whole vast property to mo and maxim
me partner in the concern upon equa
footing with the other two !"
WELL" said the old man, thumpin
his foot upon the carpet, and kcepu
time with his hands ~ don't spe ana