The Morning herald., 1876-11-02
IRoNwooD's WORD
PART I.

Every one IN the village where he lived
w Mortimer Ironwood; and knowing,
by one respected and loved him. His
her had been sober, reputable man,
his mother was most exemplary
man.
At ten years of age, Mortimer was faith
less; and being the oldest of five children
was then the most steadfast of boys,
ling all day on the farm, and studying
closely in the evenings that in time he
stri pped the brightest scholar in the
lage school, and shamed the two hired
N into becoming quite industrious.
At twenty-five, Mortimer Ironwood was
6ultless as it is perhaps possible for hu-
IN nature to be, his unalioyed humility
Favs proving victorious over any little
bling of envy that his superiority might
puse in the breasts Of other young men.
Through his efforts the farm had been
Eared of heavy mortgage, his sisters
re comfortably married, and his mother
"a happy woman.
There was another son-the child next
Mortimer-but the brothers had agreed
separate; and inquisitive neighborswere
d that Richard had preferred pushing
into the world, to living on the farm.
Recalling Richard, not soul but would
ile, and think of him as the merry per
pi6cation of all that was brightest ard
Dst engaging in youth.
But he had suddenly gone away, with
y farewell word to any of his friends;
ID some shook their heads, and thought
at there might have been different
Pry told of Dick at home, if his family had
osen private affairs.
Now, it had been known from his earliest
yhood-so open were all Of Mortimer's
Es-that, although Dick had been her
hool companion, it was the elder brother
et loved the stately Margaret Hall, the
lage pearl, and the daughter of proud,
N man. There had been time when
ortimer could converse with the beauti-
brown.haired girl quite freely, y,even
Enthusiastically; but as he grew in years,
grew in diffidence to such degree that
lance Of her luminous eyes sometimes
him stammering like clown, and he
gan to think that he must take step
at would either kill or care him at once.
accordingly decided to make it on his
Fthday, which came in September, vague
thinking that if they said him nay, it
puld be easier to write, "Aged twenty-five
ars" on the stone in the old churchyard,
an twenty-four years and ten months. So
1ae evening of that day, with its glory
LING upon him, he walked down by his
IDS Of rich grain, almost ready for the
'rvester, and across several others belong
. 10 a neighbors, till he came to the great
Puse, and with Auttering heart he was
|9Tn owl. into the parlor.
Mr.. Hall was at home; for, as Mortimer
'lered the room, he came upon that gen.
sman, in the full enjoyment Of an easy
aalr, an evening,,paper, and the conscious.
*, as ne took off his glasses and raised
y white head, Of being well-to.do in the
But the ensuing conversation served to
unewhat disconcert the self-satisfied re-
(0se; Tor the old gentleman's voice tremblcd,
IN continuance of the subject they were
(pon, he said:
Margaret is too amiableto be ambitious
I ~ could set before you the fact, that with
~ III beauty, her talents, and her fortune,
ne could easily make better match; but
;;svlng known you from school boy, Nor
'nef 1ronwood, having known your esti-