Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1875-02-06

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The next .ling TO do wa. to search iei sm-
pIoym.ut. lie possessed nothing 'n Tue
wo,lj exeant his clothes aud small smonn.
Of ievelsy-rtlics Of biz former butterfly eA-
is,,nce-snd heart full of courage lie did
rot know how 20 work. bad never attempted
even the slightest details Of business, but he
scr resoln,ely about the task before him.
He walked the city for days and days. but
all i, vain. No one wanted him. Aotfe
were plenty Of situations. but when BIS qnah-
Ge,,ions we're asked be was forced to tel Tue
miserable truth and confess that he knew just
nothing. How bitterly be regretted now
IN his hour of need, that he had not spent the
hours which he had wasted in acquiring hlS
accomplishments. in learning something that
would help him in bis straiu. Regrets were
useless. and he went steadily upon the hard
path Of duty.
AT last he lost all hopes Of finding employ
ment in the city, and turned bis face toward
the spreading field and shady groves, and con-
tented reaceful homes Of Gods own lsnd, the
country. Ee did uot know what lie should
do there; be bad not a friend in the wide
world. he thought, who cared whether he
lived or died. Where his uucle--the unhap-
nv cause of lis misfOrtune-had gone he did
no, know. lie only knew lie was alone, tired,
and heart sick. and discouraged. turning with
longing heart from .he hot and dusty city
streets. 10 the fresh green meadows of the
country.
He went For two days he t'amrsd slow y
along. sick in mind aud b dy. Ho hal tried
again snd again TO ind employment as be
came along. but still the same belplessness Of
ignorance was his bane barrier. lie was sick,
very sick. snd knew not where BE- nigh. lay
his weary head. At last he fell, and know 40
more
After the long blank and darkness he had
a dreamy sense Of pleasant shaded room
Of open. vine covered windows filled with
fresh pure flowers; Of kind, hearty, rugged
face that came sud looked at him, aud thea
smoke cEeerily TO another kind aud mother
" face, that hovered over him oftener, aud
s,noothed his pillows, aud brushed back bis
clustering air, matted with bis restless fever
tossings; Of smother lace-sn angel he
dreamed it was-younger. ard 50 fresh aud
sweet that the very sight Of it seemed 20 prt
hirp far on his road TO health ssaia.
This face did not cone as often a. th'
others. II would steal softly in foE a mo-
meot with the ether faces; and even then, Il
he happened to be awake. i, would dar, ou
again in frightened manner, aud as the day.
passed on he grew better, it did not come Al
all; and then lie grew impatient to ge. we!
aud find where il had gone
At last tie pleasant morning came that b
was well enough to walk out aud SIT on th'
pleasant porch, and then, unasked by them
for they were too kind to intrule upon hi
secrets, he told them all his story, aud lbe,
listened aud gave him their waTme>t sympa
ty. and one hce-the ,imid, fresh, young ont
was ta,hed in tear, behind the leaiy screen
where it had crepi unfeen.
He found his haven at last. Farmer Roy
ston-,he good, worthy soul, tia; be was
offered him refuge and a place where b
, could earn his own living and be went {
work. His whole heart was ben, upon learn
iug, aud he progressed rapidly with bis du,e
Of the farm. he made just as rapid heldwa
into the affections Of the family. OF tb
family in truth but Of the shy heart in par
ti,ular. he could not feel as sure Tha, yer
4 .hvpess that added such charm 70 her Swee
young beauty, iuterposed an almost iusur
, monntabe barrier 10 her confidence. II
could not tell how she regarded him she wa
shy aud reserved, scarcely ever speaking
him; and never RENAMED alone with him f.
: q moment.
The months rolled on and he had been ther
yelr In that year Of independence an
e healthy labor, he had grown strong aud rug
pcd and handsomer than ever lie had in
e proved in mind, also, for though bis accom-
s plishments were thrown aside, he had game
5 store Of practical knowledge that was in
valuable 10 him ard uore, be Was desperate
e ly in love. The >, 90 ,hy face bad eooloere
E him completely.
One pleasan. summer evening he sirolle
D., down by the river, and UNEXPECTEDLY cam
5 upon Hattie Royston sitting silently beside IL
E old tree that grew upon the waters edge
B She started to her feet aud would have ru
away. but be gently detained her with hi
arm.
'Why do you always avoid me, Hattie ? b
D asked, trying to look into her averied face.
t Sne made him no reply, aud only turne
I farther away from him.
] DO you then dislike me 50 much, Hattie
he asked reproachfully.
e The look she flashed upon bin was drec
t denial Of The charge and Jet she would o.
speak
i love you 50 dearly and 50 ienderly 'ha
+ ny whole life ulust be sad one If yon do d
love me il return. You DO no. wish ny lII
b to he that, do you Hattie?
, The answer came 50 slow ani 50 faint, iha
4 he hal to bend bis face close down to hear IL