Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-10-06
Old AbeI'a NHiIIHtOne.

Understand me, Abel; both my father
and myself are perfectly satisfied with the
amount already paid"
"Many thanks TO you sir, for the saying
of IL; but nothing short of the full sum
will satisfy me. At the time teight years
ago next midsummer) ii was reckOned at a
hundred and fifty pounds in round num-
bers. mean to pay it every farthing,
please heaven live long enough. If die
aTore hope Polly'l keep up the payment
regular"
"But, really, Abel, don't like taking
this money. l am sure these payments
must cripple you terribly"
"Never you mind that, Mr.. Baker, jun
ior. 1 feel something on my conscience
which is worse than hunger or cold, and 1t
won't be easy until I've paid you all.
There's Ave pound ten, sir; not so much
as last half-year, because of Polly's illness
in the spring but hope TO make it more
next time. If you enter the sum in this
book and add it up, you'll find 1t makes
ninety pound"
"Ninety pounds exactly. Well, If you
insist on my taking the money, suppose
1 must. Is your daughter married yet,
Webb?"
mot yet, sir"
Likely TO be 2"
"Well, I'm afraid ips higher than like"
"Whatl you disapprove of her choice p
"Ob, no, not bit. Tom Smiths as good
a fellow as ever lived. He'll get on, that
boy will. He's sober, honest and manly
and tharll tell in the long run. But I'd
rather she hadn't anybody afler her-least-
ways until the debts squared 'twixt you
and me-"
"a debt as you know, we already con-
slider discharged"
"But which don't, Mr.. Baker, Junior.
However, I'm u keeping you. Goodnight
sir; and many thanks for your kindness"
With that Abel Webb retreats, hat In
hand; aud bowling TO Baker, Junior, with
every backward step he takes, finds bim'
self by and by at the half-glass door open
ing to the outer Office. Arrived here, he
once more thanks the young partner OF
Baker & Baker, wholesale druggists of Ipe'
cacuanha-lane, AldermRnbury, and at las
emerges into tho crowded thoroughfare.
1t is the dusk OF an October evening, and
brisk dapper young men are hurryine
along the narrow courts aud alleys, ben
upon the delights of home or the intoxlcat
ing pleasures they expect 10 find elsewhere
The large warehouses are closed, and thu
gas burns but dimly in the grimy cham
bers appropriated to those whose duty it Il
to remain in the premises alter business
hours. Abel Webb takes scant notice o
what is passing around him. He Is littl'
man, poorly clad, upon whose shoulders
SIS years of funremitting toll, anxiety, troub
le and heavy disappointment weigh heavi
ly. His hair is as white as the hoar frost
and the wrinkles upon his forehead an'
the dark hollows beneath his eyes max
him appear far older man than he reall.
is; but despite his puny stature, his wealth
erbeaten aspect, and the wrinkles of age
he is as hopeful in spirit as ever, Will
there rests upon his features an expression
of patience and quiet determination, Civ
ing token that Abel Webb still thinks him
self capable of many tussle in the strug
gle for life.
Generally speaking, Abel cannot bs con
sidered good walker, neither does II
ordinarily whistle stirring national melo
dies as he elbows his way through th
teeming streets. Yet, whenever be pay
his half yearly visits to Baker, junior, b
seems to become imbued with fresh life
fresh hope, and increased strength. Th
patient old man recognizes the change him
self, and joyfully feels that the millston
of debt which has for so many years hun
about his neck, is less heavy than before.
Away from the close thorough:ares {
the city on to the Thames embankmen
His walk has been long aud fatiguing, an
resting his arms upon the stone balustrad'
he pauses for a few moments with his eye
fixed upon the dark, silent-tiowing rive
"a hundred and fifty pounds" he mul
murs, as he looks ont upon The sweep {
waters before hlm-"a lot of money, Il
OF money! Easily squandered, but hO
difficult to savsi A fortune 10 men lik
me. Honest Abel Webb, the boys used
call me at school; honest Abel Webb,
have been TO my employers, and hone
Abel Webb, I'll try to be to the end OF IN
days"
The changing tones of "Blg Ben" wok
Abel Webb from his reverie. With th
sudden thought that his daughter Poll
would be home before him II he didn
make great haste, ho set of at brisk tr'
resuming his CHEEKY whistle as he wei
along.
Ana sora annn0h hama aha WAS