The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-08-14

Agnes lh surprise.
I" You used to pray so, for have heard
you, returned Noah.
A moment the young wife gazed int
her parents face, and then she answered
while she threw her arms about his neck
"0hl pray that you may be spared
to us for long years in peace and happiness
butt love you? Oh! could moi
help it If should try. And Walter loves
you, father--he loves you very much, fol
he had told me SO many times"
There was something more than usua
in the old mans eye now.
One evening, as the happy trio sat al
the tea-table, Walter looked more thought
ful than was his wont.
What is it, love?" Agnes asked.
"0h--nothing," the husband said, with
a smile. 81 was only thinking"
But Of what ?"
Only castle building-thats all"
In the air, Walter?' asked Noah.
Yes-very high in the all" the young
man remarked with laugh.
But tell us what il is"
Well, I'd as soon tell you as not. Mr.
Osgood is to retire from our firm in a few
days. He is well advanced in life, and
has made fortune in the business, and
he will live now for comfort and health
alone. He has not been very well of late
years"
And is that all?"
eyes"
But what castle in the air is there
about that ?"
"0h, that isn't the castle"
Then what is the castle p urged the
old man Playfully
Why, simply this, said Walter laugh
ing, but yet almost ashamed to tell it;
"this noon Mr.. Osgood patted me on the
shoulder and said he, in his usual playful
way, "Walter, III sell you all my interest
here for 100000"
Ha, ha, ha," laughed Noah Bremen;
"and you thought he was in earnest"
"No, mol I" quickly returned the young
man. ~ did not think that-though |
know the other two partners would willing
ly have me for an associate"
But it seems to me that old Osgood
holds. his share in the concern at high
figure"
"Oh, no. 1t is very low one. There
is clear capital of 100000 in the busi-
ness 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 Agnes
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 agi-
tated, and his eyes had vacant wonder.
ing look.
" Walter cried Agnes in terror, "what
has happened y
Hes sick" muttered Noah Bremen,
without turning round.
" No, no, not sick" returned the young
man, starting up ;--abutI am the victim
of some miserable triaing."
"Eh ? how 2" asked old Noah, turn
ing in his chair.
an tell you" said Walter, with spas
modic effort. "I had some long entries
to post this evening, so l remained in the
counting room after the rest had gone. I
was still at work when Mr. 0sgood came
in and placed some papers on my desk,
saying as he did so :---aHere Walter, these
are yours and then he went out. When
| had finished my work I opened the pa
pers. The first was a sort Of inventory of
what 0sgood had owned in the business,
and amounted up in square numbers to
ss9,s75. The next paper was deed con-
veying the whole vast property to me, and
making me partner in the concern upon
equal footing with the other two r.
swell" said the old man humping his
foot upon the carpet, and keeping time
with his hands, "I don't see anything very
bad In that
But / do" replied Walter, at Is
cruel to trihe with me thus"
There was something In Noah's eye
again, but he managed to get it out, and
then he spoke thus
walter Adams, when young men used
to hover about my child, / believed they
were only after my gold; and | know that
in most cases I was correct. believed
the same Of you. l knew nothing but the
love Of money that could influence human
action Ny heart had become hardened
BY it, and my soul darkened. But Il was
for my sweet child % pour the warmth
and light into my bosom. II was for her
49, l. L. n ~ -