The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1876-03-30

intellect and social position, were
pretty nearly equal. Lawyer Daw-
son had an only daughter named
Kate, and Doctor Gum had an only
son called Sam. In town number
ing only seven thousand souls it wss
not strange that Sam. Gum should
be intimately acquainted with Miss
Dawson, and as Kate was verypretty,
it followed almost us matter OF
course, that she should have beau,
and that he should be Sam Gum.
Now although the House of Gum
and Dawson sat in the same church,
and heard the same spiritual exhor-
tations Sunday after Sunday, though
they met at social gatherings, and
exchanged the courtesies and civili-
ties of life, yet there was a spirit Of
rancor in the breasts Of the respect
i've heads of these worthy families,
engcndered by politics, and kept
alive and active by it.
1t was evening, and the broad har-
vest moon had just risen over the
tree tops, when Sam Gum and Kate
Dawson, arm inarm, sauntcrcd along
the river bank that skirts the town,
and made their way to an old time
worn rock that had served as q seat
for weary travellers and lovers for
generations.
Sam Gum was the first to speak
when they had taken their seats.
"Katc," he said, | have been good
deal troubled of late, but think |
can see a way out of our difficulties;
| say our, because you arc concerned
in my perleXities.
Kate Dawson inclined her head in
the attitude of attention; and Sam
Gum proceeded.
"When | was born, my mother had
Il vision, Il vulgar person would style
it seeing a ghost; but we'll call it. a
vision. She was Informed that the
son to be born of her would be Il re-
markablc child, and have Il rcmarka-
bic destiny; and that he would fill
the land with fame, etc, etc." and
Sam laughed,
proceed" remarked Kate, I'm all
attention"
"Wcll,' continued Sam, "it is un.
necessary to say that my mother re-
ligiously believes this no nonsense,
and imagincs it will come true. In
Il few months / am to enter some
lawyers oillc to read law. Now OF
course | wish to enter the Office of
Lawyer Dawson; but how is thisto be
accomplished? My father is very
stubborn on certain matters, and so
is yours Kate. Though they are
friendly they are at swords point in
politics"
at will be difficult thing to ac-
complish your purpose" she replied,
"and / can suggest nothing to aid
you. You will have to break down
and root .out prejudice before you can
hope to achieve your plan"
"Ny mother is very supcrtitious,"
continued Sam; 81 have thought of
sending the ghost to visit her, and
inform her that her darling son Sam
ucl can only come to honor and dis
tinction by reading law in the office
of Peter Dawson, Esq. A white
sheet and uncarthly voice are all that
is required. think can play
ghost"
Kate Dawson looked up and Sam
Gum knew, though he could not
see, that her check flushed as she
spoke.
"Would you deceive your moth
cr?' she asked,
"Dcar me, Kate" he replied, "do
not speak so seriously, What harm
can it do2 Mother believes in signs
and omcns and such ridiculous stuff,
no one can persuade her to the con-
trary, and"-hO lowered his voice
smother has more influence with ia
thcr than any one on earth. If she
once becomes convinced that her
ghostly visitor is in earnest about
the matter, she'll never rest until she
has persuaded my father to place me
in your fathers Office rs n student"
81 cannot consent to it," replied
Kate; deceit is very ropulsivc to my
,,,,,,I Evil nnngnuunnpne uniuht fol-