Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-06-12

the contents OF that strange letter wer'
ringing in his ears lie then went to SET
his mother. She was suffering ever
more than usual. and u number o.
dunning bills had been left for his earnest
consideration, bills which he had not The
remotest idea how he was TO meet. lie
thew them down and buried his face IN
his hands.
Poverty is curse. mother" nc
groaned. al do mol know which way Ia
turn"
She tried to cheer him. but in vain.
Every where he turned hopeless chaos
seemed to envelop bin.
"Ah. il that letter were only real !" he
thought. Twenty thousand dollars
would make me rich ~
And so he lretted and worried until the
appointed hour came-one moment VOW
ing he would not go near the placc-the
neat tempted to see 1.-THE farce out"
Eight O'Clock found him stealing in.
lie saw two ladies closely yelled, and n
gentleman standing in the upper part oil
the building, while the minister sat in a
chair. There was but one gas jet lighted.
and be could just distinguish the forms.
As soon as he entered the gentleman
spoke to one of the ladies, and then she
advanced 10 meet HIM.
"Are you DIR. Pcmeroy ?" she asked in
a low tone.
Il am"
She led him to where the gentleman
stood. and he extended his hand.
"How DO you do, Pomeroy ?" he asked,
and Pomeroy recognized in him the Pres
ideut Of the City Bank. IL am here by
the request OF this young LADY," pointing
to the one who had not moved or spoken,
"to inform you that If you agre Q 10 her
proposition, am authorized TO pay TO
your order the sum of twenty thousand
dollars ~
PomeroY tried to speak, but his voice
was choked II was no fraud, it was
reality. he was 10 bid farewell 10 poverty.
He stood motionless for moment,
then advanced and offered his arm 10 the
silent lady, Sie took j, without quiver,
and went with him to where the minister
awaited them.
TIE ceremony was qaickly performed.
Doctor Pomeroy registered his name. and
then looked with considerable curiosity
al tae bold. plain signature, ''EAcn Is
/ iour." which his bride wrote down. The
minister hastily flled ou' certificate.
which he had brought with him by re-
quest. and which the maid aud the tanker
signed as witnesses. The tride took it,
kissed 1t. and then thrust it in her bosom.
One moment more and She gliJcd away
swiftly from sight.
Dr.. Pomoroy wiped the perspiralion
from his brow, and then asked: "Who is
she ?"
"I DO not know" said the minister.
"I was requested by letter and paid TO
perform the ceremony and keep it secret.
It is perfectly lawful"
"And ~ rssid the banker. "dil not see
the lady's face She deposited the money
with nc, and requested my attendance
here, to assure you that her promise
should be fulfilled"
The three MEN separated; the gas
was turned out; the curtain fell on the
/ first act.
The next day, Pomeroy tried 10 realize
what he had done. lie had sold his name
10 an unknown woman. but he thought
that could not ipjure him.
"She must have been in deadly peril. "
be meditated, "to pay such an exorbitant
price for single name!'
lie took sn Office further up town. and
removed his mother TO nicer home
Patients came pouring in; different
class employed the rich Doctor Pomeroy
than those who had employed the poor
one.
Five years had passed away, and ne
had gained q reputation, and added
considerable to his bank account. He
had been an indefatigable worker and
now he felt that he needed rest for q
while.
1--WE will take trip to Europe,
mother" he said. at will do you more
good than you can imagine"
A great many gentle hearts felt pang
to see the good Doctor leave, although
their endeavors to catch him were in
vain. He felt no preference TO any ot
the opposite sex; he had recovered from
his disappointment. and he never ceased
/ to rememb Der that he was married man,
or think kindly of the unknown woman
who had so radically changed his life.
They travelled leisurely through the
tour they had marked out before they
started. and one night found themselves
in French village.
About the middle of The night The Doc
tor was awakened By some one tapping
at bis door. and calling for him TO come
out. He did so. He found the landlord
who told him in broken English, that
one Of his countrymen had just fallen