Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1876-10-05
Misftllansons. 3
Prom Tinsley's Magazine
Old Abels Milestone.
BY MARIAN NoRIHCoTT.

BY MARIAN NoRTHCoTT.
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 eight years ago
next midsummer) IL was reckoned at .
hundred and fifty pounds in round num-
bers. | mean to pay it every farthipg,
please Heaven l live long enough. II l
die afore, hope Polly'll keep up the pay
ment eg'lar.'
But really, Abel,I don't like taking this
money. l am sure these payments must
cripple you terribly
Never YOU rind that. Mr.. Baker junior.
| feel something OH my conscience which
is worse than hunger or cold, and II won't
be easy until I've paid you all. There's
five .ound ten, Sir; not so much As last
halfyear, because Of Polly's illness In the
Spring; but hope TO make Il more next
time. II you enter the sum In this book
and add il up, you'll find II makes ninety
pounds
Ninety pounds exactly. Well, II you
insist on my taking the money. suppose
must. Is your daughter married yet.
Webb?
Not yet. SIR
Likely TO beT
We'll. Fm afeard it's higher than ! like.
What. you disapprove OF her choiceF
.Oh. no. not a bit. Tom Smiths As good
a fellow as ever lived. He'll get on, that
boy will. He's sober, honest and manly /;
and all that'll tell in the long run. But la
rather she hadn't ybody after her-least-
wsys until the debts squared twixt you
and me-
"A debt that. As you know, We already
consider discharged
But which don't, Mr.. Baker junior.
However. I'm keeping you. Good night
Sir, and many thanks for your Kindness
With that Abel Webb retreats, hat In
hand; and bowling TO Baker junior Win
every backward step he takes. nnds MIN
self by and by At the half.glsss door open-
ing to the outer oflce. Arrived here ne
once more thanks the younger partner OF
Baker & Baker, wholesale druggists Of
Ipecacuanha-laue. Aide ermanbury, and as
| last emerges into the crowded thorough
fare.
II Is the dusk of an October evening, and
brisk dapper young men are hurfyine
along the narrow courts and alleys Deo'
upon the delights OF nome or the intoxica'
ting pleasures they expect to nnd else,
where. The large warehouses are closed
and the gas burns but dimly in the grimy
chambers appropriated to those whose du
ty il is to remain in the premises arel
business hours. Abel Webb takes scan'
notice of what Is passing around HIM III
10 q little man, poorly clad, upon whose
shoulders ffty-6v years OF unremittinl
toll, anxiety. trouble, and heavy dssppoint
ment weigh heavily. His hair 10 white q
the bosr.frost, and the wrinkles upon BIZ
forehead and the dark hOllows beneath hi
eve, make him appear q far older maj
than he really Is; but despite bis pun!
stature, his westher.beaten aspect, AM
the wrinkles of age. he is rs hopeful !
spirit rs ever. while there rests upon hl
features an expression OF patience an
Quiet determination giving token that ADJ
,. Webb still thinks himself capable Of man
j n tussle in the struggle for life.
: Generally speaking, Abel cannot be cor
sidered good walker. neither does hs 0I
dinarily whistle stirring national melOdie
rs he elbows his way through the teemin
, streets. Yet whenever he pays his hal
: yearly visits to Baker junior. he seems
s become imbued with fresh life. fresh hop
4, vnd increased strength. The patient ol
s1 nan recognizes the change himself, au
1 joyfully feels that the milstone OF aeo
which has for so many years hung aoo
Il Sis neck, Is less heavy than before. O
> bow earnestly he hopes to live TO free h!n
. self Of his burden! A long weary task
still before him but be- has learned fro
past experience how much may De accot
plished BY persevering application. q
E1aily feels himself approaching nearer 81
~ searer the purpose Of bis later life.
4 Away from the close thorOughfares
lthe city on to the Thames embankmei
r 6is walk has been long and fatiGatnE, O
9esting his arms upon the stone oalustrs
y pauses for few moments with his ~