The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1876-06-19
THE. EDEN OF WILDWOOD.

""SVS'
svuTf ? '.HJ
Paul Renford was thunder struck
For once in his life he was aroused Il
something like consideration OF sub
ject in hand. ~
Paul' was iour-and.twenty. At til,
age OF eighteen he had been left al
orphan, and heir to an estate worth {
million and bis uncle-his mother
brother -had-been appointed hi
guardian, This unclc was Anson Bet
terman, Gn enterprising merchant, and (
true hearted man. Alter. Paul came O.
age, aud became master Of his property
through the advice OF his uncle he EN-
ployod lawyer named Lovett to net as
his agent-to look after rents, aid &C
on-and gradually this Lovett, who
proved to be m apt and ready man oil
business, had gained into his hands The
entire control OF the whole property
and 30 implicitly had Paul trusted hin
that he hal not even demanded vouch
crs for his bank transactions.
In fact, paul Rcnford had degenera.
ted into listlcss, ,.imless being. His
natural abilities, Of tho very highest
order, had been prostituted to the most
useless Of nil prlrSuits-the moro seek
ing Of pleasure for the purpose Of Iill
ing time. At first he had lived moderate.
ly; his youthful vigor bud held him
aloof from the need OF stimulants; but
OF late long continued round Of dissi
pation--parties, balls, clubsand billiards,
in which night was appropriated ] tc
wakofulness and the day to sleep-had
so reduced his physical vim that with,
out stinulants ho found no comfort. - =
And now Anson Batterman had como
to inform him that, Porter, Lovett had
lett the country with every available
scrap Of his property.
"Do you mean," gasped Paul, when
he could breathe. I" that hc has taken
all2". .g-.g 49,.
"Yes-everything. You had allowed
him such unlimited sway that he found
no difficulty in getting every dollar into
his hands,"
Auu I'LL peuulleSsi
"You know best whether you had
any Of your property Invested in bust
ness" wee. e.
"Not a penny" lL -. . al, q
"Then fear that you have little Of
hand which you can call your own."
"In Heavens name, Uncle Anson,
what shall / do 7
"Really, Paul, I see but two ways
open to you. You can lie down, and
wither and die under the stroke, or you
can do as thousands Of others have done
in misfortuns-arouse yourself, put on
the armor Of true manhood, and fight
the battle bravely."
az must earn my own living I"
at would seem so. ".'
"And how I"
az can give you place in my store. "
"No, no, l cannot commence the
battle here-not here in the city, where
I have led tho van Of folly and dissipa.
ton. Let mo havo time to think"
Gan right, my boy; and meantime ]
will DO thinking too"
On the following day Mr.. Bettermau
called again; but Paul had not thought
what he would do. -.
"What have you thought, uncle1"
"I'll tell you what | have thought,
my boy. Back in the country-and yet
not very fur from tho city-are the mills
owned by my friend Sargent. They are
in quiet, secluded village, the inhabi.
tants Of which are mostly his own opera
tivos. Mr.. Sargent will give you clerk
ship there, and tho pay will be ample
for your support"
"But," said Paul, " may we not, find
Lovettl Z"
"As yet we have been able to gain no
clew to his whereabouts. He is a man
not easily to be entrapped. But we can
try further, il you please" - ".e .
"I will 20 up and look at the mills.
And so Paul Renford went up TO Wild.
wood, as Mr.. Sargent hadnamed his set.
Element, and h0 found it rurul aud re-
tired enough. But it was beautiful
spot, nevertheless, and he. had q strong
inclination to accept the prolIered situa'
ton. He returned to the city on the
day OF tho evening Of Mrs. spuitenstiu'
gers gnnd party. He was wondering
II he had better 60, when he learned
fronsa ,seryant Of the house that no in,
vitation had been sent him. On that
very afternoon he met the Misses Spuit.
enstinger on the ayenne, and they did
not acknowledge his s.lutation.
$50, so l"'ho muttered. "And thai
is NIL ain worth to tliemr'"
Eor little time his heart sunk, but
ho rallied. - = '7-..ll -
"Como, come, my boy" he exclaimed
shifting himself upon tho breast, ether,
may, be something in lifo yet. Bt
bravel"
And on tho very next day he accepted
tho clcrkship ut the Wildwood mills
aud entered at once upon his duties
For time ho found it dull, hard work
but gradually his health improved, AMI
the vigor OF youth came back to him
aud under simple living his muscles
grow aud strengthened, mud his who'll
fraue camo into perfect tune OF manly
beauty mud elasticity. And now hi
duties became light and cheering, ant
he sung and whistled at his work.