New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-12-03
OLD ABkL's MILESTONE.
BIZ MARIAN NORTHCOTT,

There's nothing like sliding down hill on jug.
OLD ABEL'S MILESTONE.
BIZ MARIAN NoK1Hcorr.
Understand me, Abel; both my fathe
and myself are perfectly satisfied with tn
amount already paid"
MANY thanks to you, sir, for the sayin,
of it; but nothing short of the full sum vii
satisfy me. At the time (eight years ag,
next midsummer) it was reckoned at q hun
dred and fifty pounds in round numbers.
mean to pay it every farthing, please
Heaven, if live long enough. III di,
afore, l hope Polly IL keep up the payment
5But really. Abel, don't like taking
| this money. I am cure these payment
must cripple you terribly"
| Never You mind that, Mr.. Baker, Junior
| feel something on my conscience which ID
| worse than hunger or cold, and it won't be
easy until I've paid you all. There's five
pound ten, sir; not 80 much as last half
spring; but hope to make it more mex,
time. If you enter the sum in this book
and add it up, you'll find it makes ninety
pounds"
"Ninety pounds exactly. Well, if YOU
insist on my taking the money, I suppose !
must. Is yonr daughter married yet,
Webb9"
mot yet. SIR"
"Likely to BET"
"Well, I'm afeard it's higher than like. "
"What! you disapprove of her choicel"
"Oh, no, not q bit. He'll get on, that
boy will. He's sober, honest and manly;
and all thatll tell in the long run. But I'd
rather she hadn't anybody after her-least-
ways until the debts squared 'twixt you
and me-"
"a debt that, as you know, We already
consider discharged"
"But which l don't. Mr.. Baker, junior.
However. I'm a-keeping you. Good night,
sir: and many thanks for your kindness"
hand and bowling to Baker, junior, with
every backward step he takes, finds himself
by and by at the half glass door opening to
the outer Office. Arrived here he once more
thanks the young partner Of Baker g.
Baker, wholesale druggists, of Ipecacuanha
lane, Aldermanbury, and at last energies
into the crowded thoroughtare.
1t is the dusk Of an October evening, and
brisk dapper young men are hurrying along
the narrow courts and alleys, bent upon
the delights of home or the Intoxicating
pleasures they expect to find elsewhere.
The large warehouses are closed, and the
gas burns but dimly in the grlmy chambers
appropriated to those whose duty it is to
remain in the premises after business hOurs.
Abel Webb takes scant notice of what is
passing around him. He is little man,
poorly clad, rpon whose shoulders tifty-fve
years of unremitting toll, anxiety, trouble
and heavy disappointment weigh heavily.
His hair is as white as the hOarfrOst, and
the wrinkles upon his forehead and the
dark hollOws beneath his eyes make him
ca oil ~ IL H.
despite his puny stature, his weather beaten
aspect and the wrinkles of age, he is as
hopeful in spirit as ever, while there rests
upon his features an expression of patience
and determination, giving token that Abel
Webb still thinks himself capable Of many
q tussle in the struggle for life.
Generally speaking, Abel can not be con.
sidered good walker; neither does he or
dinarily whistle stirring national melodies
as he elbows his way through the teeming
streets. Yet whenever he pays his half
yearly visit to Baker, or, he seems to be-
come imbued with fresh life, fresh hope
man recognizes the change himself, and
ioyfully feels that the milestone of debt.
which has for SO many years hung about
his neck, is less heavy than before. Oh,
how earnestly he hopes to live to free him.
self of his burden. A long, weary task is
still before him; but he has learned from
past experience how much may be accom-
plished by persevering application, and
daily feels himself approaching nearer and
nearer the purpose OF his later life.
Away from the close thorOughfares of the
city on to the Thames emb snkment. His
walk had been long and fatiguing, and
resting his arms upon the stone balustrade
he pauses for few moments, with his ewes
fixed upon the dark silent-fowing river
His recent conversation with Baker, Junior,
fully occupies his mind as he thus pauses
on his home ward journey, and upon the old
mans flushed and wearied features there
breaks a smile Of self-satisfaction as the
thought crosses him of what 80 many other
men would have done had they been placed
in his situation.
"A hundred and fifty pounds" he muir
murs, as he looks out upon the sweep of
waters before him-"s lot of money, q lot OF
money! Easily squandered, but how diff
cult to save! A fortune to men like me.
Honest Abel Webb the boys used to call
me at school; honest Abel Webb l have
been to my employers, and honest Abel
Webb I'll try to be to the end of my days"
In no spirit of Pharisaic egotism does the
old man thus address himself. Integrity,
devotion, and truth are component parts Of
his nature. Briefly his lite passes before
him as the cool autumn breeze plays with
his white locks, and he watches the flicker
ing lights by the rivers bank. First he sees
himself kneeling by his mothers side and
lisping a single prayer: then, bending low
his head, he feels her gentle, loving hand,
and hears her sweet voice pray that God
will bless her child, and cause the precious
seed of His word to fall upon good ground
and bring forth abundant harvest Fen now
% this vision passes before him, he humbly
bows his head. and calculates with fervent
Ordor, "Amen!" Next comes the scbool-life
in little midland village. Then the kind
" face of the vicar, who had been the means
Of introducing him to q large city house,
rises before him. To this succeed recOllec-
tons Of his employment in the house of
Baker & Baker; his marriage; the birth of
his boy Sam-the child of promise that was
to be sOlace to his declining years; his |
acceptance of the situation of ware |
houseman in the establishment of LoOstring |
& Tool, the Wholesale milliners of Wood |
street; and the one sorrow of his life-a
sorrow hat seemed in its deep intensity to |
sngulf all the joys of preceding years.
After this come visions OF the long, earnest |
struggle to right grievous wrong; last OF |
ali, the remembrance of the kind words |
addressed to him but an hour previously in |
he wholesale druggists private room.
The changing tones of "B zig Ben" awOke |
Abel Webb from his reverie. With the |
'udden thought that his daughter Polly |
would be home before him if he didn't |