Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-10-12
NO. PAP.
aMisrellaneons.
OLD ABEL'S MILESTONE.
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 saving
Of it but nothing short of the iull sum
will satisfy me. AT the time (eight years
ago next mdsummer) il was reckoned at
i hundred and lifty pounds in round num-
Ders. | mean To pay it every farthing,
please Heaven, if live long enough. If
die aiore. | hope Pollynl keep up the
payment regular"
But really, Abel, don't like taking
this money. | am sure these payments
must cripple You terribly"
| Never you mind that, Mr.. Baker, Jr
| feel something on my conscience which
IS worse than hunger or cold, and it won't
| he easy until I've paid you all. There's
live pound ten. sir; not so much as last
half year. because OF Polly's illness in the
>priug; but hope to make it up next
time. If you enter the sum in this book
and add it up, you'll fnd it makes ninety
pounds"
Ninety pounds exactly. Well, if you
insist upon my taking the money sup
pose must. Is your daughter married
yet. Webb P"
Not yet, sir.''
'Likely to beP"
well, Tm afeard its higher than like"
What you disapprove of her choice ?"
"Oh, no, not bit. Tom Smiths as
good fellow as ever lived. Hell 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-leastways 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, Im a-keeping you. Cool night
sir ana many thanks Tor your kindness"
With that Abel Webb retreats, hat in
hand and bowing to Mr.. 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 IL Baker, wholesale druggists
OF lpecacuanha lane, Aldermanbury, and
at last emerges into the crowded thorough
fare.
1t is the dusk of an October evening,
and Disk, dapper young men are hurry
ing along the narrow courts and lanes
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
grimy chambers appropriated to those
whose duty 1t is to remain in the premises
after business hours. Abel Webb takes
scant notice of what is passing around
hlm. lie is little man, poorly clad, on
whose shoulders fifty-fve years Of unre-
hitting toll, anxiety. trouble and disap.
pointment weigh heavily. His hair is as
white as the hoar frost and the wrinkles
upon his forehead and the dark hollows
oeneath his eyes make him appear a far
older man than he really is; but despite
his puny stature, his weather beaten as
pect and the wrinkles Of age. ne is as
hopeful in spirit as ever, while there rests
upon his features an expression OF patience
aud quiet determination, giving token
that Abel Webb still thinks himself capa-
BILE of many II tussle in the struggle of
life.
Generally speaking, Abel cannot be con.
sldered good walker. neither does he or
dinariIy whistle stirring national melodies
AS he elbows his way through the teemng
streets. Yet whenever he pays his half
yearly visit to Baker. junior, he seems to
become imbued with IRE sh life, fresh hope
and increased strength. The patient old
man recognizes the change himself, and
Joyfully feels that the millstone 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! long weary task
is still before him; but be has learned
from past experience how much may be
accomplished by persevering application.
and daily feels himself approaching near
er and nearer the purpose of his later
life.
Away from the close thoroughfares of
the city on to the Thames embankmept,
His walk has been long and fatiguing, and
resting his arms upon the stone balustrade,
he pauses for few moments with his
eyes fixed upon the dark lent-fowing
rver. His recent conversation with Ba-
ker, junior, really occupies his mind as he
thus pauses on his homeward Journey;
and upon the old mans flushed and wea-
red features there breaks smile of self
satisfaction as the thought crosses him of
what so many other men would have done
had they been placed in his situation.
"A hundred and fifty pounds" he mur-
murs. as he looks out upon the sweep of
waters before him-"a lot of money. a
lot of money! Easily squandered, but how
difficult to save? A fortune TO men like
me. Honest Abel Webb the BOYS used to
call me at school honest Abel Webb |
have been to my employers, and honest
Abel Webb I'll try to be to the end of my
days"
ln no spirit of egotism does the old man
thus address himself. Integrity, devotiom
and truth are component parts of his ma.
ture. Briefly his life passes before him
as the cool autumn breeze plays with his
white locks, and he watches the pickering
lights by the rivers bank. First he sees
himself kneelng by his mothers side, and
lisping 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 prec-
ious seed of His word to fall upon good
ground and bring forth abundant harvest.
Fen now as this vision passes before him.
be humbly bows his head. and calculates
with fervent ardor, .'Ameni' Next comes
the schoollif in little midland village.
Then the kindly face of the vicar, who
had been the means Of introducing him to
a large city house, rises before him. To
this succeed recollections of his employ.