The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1876-10-21
Old Abel's Milestone.

|
the amount already paid"
MANY thanks to you sir, for the ga,
ing Of it; but nothing short of the fu
sum will satisfy me. At the time (eigl
years ago next midsummer) it was reel
oned at hundred and fifty pounds l
round numbers. l mean to pay it ever
farthing, please heaven I live long enough
If I die afore l hope Polly1l keep up th
payment reg'lar."
"But, really, Abel, don't like takin
this money. am sure these payment
must cripple you terribly"
"Never you mind that, Mr.. Bake
junior. l feel something on my cor
science which is worse than hunger Q
cold, and it won't be easy until I've pal
you all. There's Eve pound ten, sir nt
80 much as last halfyear, because Of Po
ly's illness in the spring; but hope
make it more next time. If you ente
the sum in this book and add it up, you
find it makes ninety pound"
"Ninety pounds exactly. Well,
you insist on my taking the money,
suppose must. Is your daughter maj
ried yet, Webb7"
"Not yet, sir,"
"Likely to be7"
"Well, I'm afraid it's higher than
like"
"What you disapprove of her choice ?
"Ob, no, not bit. Tom Smiths q
good fellow as ever lived He'll ge
on, that boy will. He's sober, honest au,
manly and that'll tell in the long run
But I'd rather she hadn't ANYBODY afte
her-leastways until the debts squared
twix you aud me-"
IA debt as you know, we already con
cider discharged"
"But which l don't, Mr.. Baker, jun,
ior. 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, with
every backward step he takes, finds him.
self by and by at the half.glass door open.
ing to the outer Office. Arrived here, he
once moro thanks the young partner Of
Baker & Baker, wholesale druggists oil
1pecacuanha.lane, Aldermanbury, and at
last emerges into the crowded thorough.
fare.
1t is the dusk Of an October evening,
and brisk dapper young men are hurry.
ing along the narrow courts and alleys,
bent upon the delights of homo or the in
toxicating pleasures they expect to find
elsewhere. The large warehouses are
closed. and the gas burns but dinly in
the grimv chambers appropriated to those
whose duty it is to remain in the premi.
ses after business hours. Abel Webb
takes scant notice Of what is passing
around him. He is q little man, poorly
Glad, upon whose shoulders fifty FIVE years
Of unremitting toll, anxiety. trouble and
heavy disappointment weigh heavily.
His hair is as white as the hoar frost, and
the wrinkles upon his forehead and the
dark hollows beneath his eyes make him
appear a far older man than he is; but
despite his puny stature, his weatherbeat.
en- aspect, and the wrinkles of age, be is
as hopeful in spirit as ever, while there
rests upon his features an expression Of
patience and quiet determination, giving
token that Abel Webb still thinks him.
self capable Of many tussle in the strug-
gle for life,
Generally speaking, Abel cannot be
considered good walker, neither does he
ordinarily whistle stirring national melo.
dies as he elbows his way through the
teoming streets. Yet, whenever he pays
his half yearly visits to Baker junior, be
seems to become imbued with fresh hope,
and increased strength. The patient old
man recognizes the change himself, and
joyfully feels that the milestone Of debt
which has for so many years hung about
his neck, 10 less heavy than before.
Away from the close thoroughfares of
the, city on to the Thames embankment.
His walk has beea lsng and fatiguing,and
resting his arms upon the stone balus-
trade, he pauses for fow moments with
his eyes fixed upon the dark, silent. flow.
ing river. IA hundred and fifty pounds"
he murmurs, as he looks out upon the
waters before him-"a lot of money,
lot of money Easily sQuandsred, but
how difficult to save A fortune to men
like me. Honest Abel Webb, the boys
used to call mo ut school: honest Abel
Webb, have been to my employers, and
honest Abel Webb, III try to be to the
end of my days"
The changing tones Of "Big Ben" woke
Abel Webb from his reverie. With the
sudden thought that bis daughter Polly
would be home before him If he didn't
make great haste, he set off at brisk
trot. resumipg his CHEEKY whistle as he
went along.
And. sure enough, home she was.
How cozy the little place looked 1t
was pattern Of neatness and domestic
comfort. The table was laid for supper,
a nice crisp loaf being aanked by piece
Of cheese placed upon a small plate in
order to make it look more than it really
was), and, yes! really gigantic cucum.
Der. Polly, who was knoeling before the
fire, vigorously applying the bellows and
melting the Goals to perfect fury Of
fame, had not lighted q candle, aud GER.
tainly none was wanted. The bright
blaze brought into full view the nettle
geranium occupying the table in front of
the window; it lit up the photograph of
the mild looking woman (Polly's mother)
on the other side Of the room it showed
the brass knobbed piece of furniture, to
outward view bureau, but to the initial.
ed frequenter Of Abel's apartments moth.
ing more or less than turn.up bedstead,
in which the father himself slept; and it
reflected its brightness upon the side.
board, with its ornaments Of ware, q few
books and the old.fashioned workbox,
containing many relics dear to Abel and
his daughter, among others tiny baby's
Il -