Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1875-12-22
Paul Lacy's Help.

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bachelors hall. Miss Esmeraldi
Lacy had declared that she coulC
not and would not stay in such ,
bowling wilderness any longer; i
her brother Paul wanted to, h,
could, but she was not going to
Such great castle of a house, anC
not neighbor within three miles
1t was intolerable. The lady wa,
as good as her word. One finc
spring morning she deserted the
Sedges, and went east to hel
fathers house, leaving her brother
Paul and the little maid, Ellie Cary
its sole inmates.
"But, Esmeralda, if you 60 away
on such short notice, how am I 60.
ing to liver" he had asked.
"Ellie can cook" was the an
swer.
Ellie Cary was but fifteen years
old, lissome, blue-eyed, smiling
little girl-a born housewife. At
ten years old she had been bound
to an aunt of Paul Lacy, but the
aunt, dying, and Paul having al
ready gone west and built honse,
Ellie was taken thither by Miss
Esmeralda to help keep it. The
lady stayed just six months. She
was lonely, she was homesick, she
wapted to, be away, and away she
weut.
That evening Paul Lacy unused
in rather downcast mood. In
coming west, clearing land, and
making for himself home, he had
bad many drawbacks. He had
never accepted a log. cabin life.
His first work was TO build n sub
stantial and beautiful house at the
riverside Drawing-room, dining
room, library azd conservatory
were all elaborately completed, Int
for the first two years the library
was to serve as a family sitting
room, the furnishing of the great
er part Of the house being post
poned until its master could give
the subject full attention-could
expend and emhelish as he wished.
He had in his employ three men
who lived in log hut hut half
mile away, aud whose lahors he
employed constantly at improving
the estate. Clumps of willows
grew along the river. stately oaks
crowned the knolls, the prairie land
rose and fell in beautiful undula-
tions. He needed the comforts of
home. 1t was rarther hard Of
his sister to leave him. he thought.
Ellie was mere child; he might
as well be left alone, he said. Al
his past troublesome experiences
crowded over him. ami an oppress-
sive wearincss and encouragement
fell upon him. All hopefullness
quite deserted him. The great
mastiff, Sultan, got up from the
hearth-rug and laid his muzzle on
his masters knee.
"Ola fellow, you are faithful"
said Paul.
He stroked the great brute's
clumsy head, and fell again into a
reverie.
1t was the evening OF his thir-
tieth birthday. He had been in
the West some three years before.
Though highly educated and bred
in Injury, he had developed pow
er to fight the world with marked
success. He was called an able
fellow, yet no bankrupt could have
felt more generally defeated than
Paul Lacy felt that night. Quite
upset by woman's whim, and all
discouraged for want Of woman's
help.
"Ellie," said he, the next morn
ing, "you must get along as best
you can to-day. l am glad now
that l have no dairy to he attend
ell to. Tonight | will ride to
Munroe and try to get a house,
keeper.
Ellie nodded silently and watch
ed him ride away FROM the door on
his black Ally, Bird. Her white
forehead knit itself, and a little
fash came into her blue eyes. But
Ellie didn't waste any time think
ing Of her troubles; She had IRON
Ing and baking TO do; she flew