The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-08-18

Old David had long foreseen, aud reso-
lutely refused to meddle in the matter
A coolness had, therefore, grown up be-
tween uncle and nephew, and when the
end came David was not among those who
offered Robert and Aleck advice and sym
pathy. The young men behaved we'll
They surrendered everything, but creditors
did not fail to stigmatize as dishonorable
and unbusiness-like and speculative and
risky the nature Of the trade done by the
broken frm. Aleck at once sailed for
Sydney, where he had brother, and Rob
ert took his wife and children to her
fathers, while he endeayored to find a sit
uation But week after week passed, an
other winter was approaching, and nothing
had been done.
Once again David was interrupted.
This time it was his pretty niece jesse.
His face soltened wonderfully when he
met her large, fearful eyes.
"Oh, uncle she said, "wc have sore
need Of you
Ny puir little woman, sit down and
tell Davie what he can do for you"
.Jessie's tale was soon told-her tears
told it best.
Roberts heart had quite failed him;
they were almost penniless, and they had
worn their welcome out at her fathers.
Then you'll come here, you and Rob
ert, and Jessie, and wee Davie; an well
see what your man is fit for. If he Gamma
find his feet wi wifo like you, I'm sorry
for him." .....
SO the next day the family moved, with
their small belongings, to Davids house,
very much to the annoyance Of Mistress
Janet, David's housekeeper. This lady,
indeed, soon made things so unpleasant
that it was evident to all parties there
could be no delay in decision, and Rob.
ert, almost in desperation, resolved on try
ing his fortune in the new world. David,
pressed by his housekoeper's grumbling
and by his affection for his nephew, knew
only of one other way-he could advance
Robert money for new effort.
But it would be the ruin o the lad, I"
he said, thoughtfully. "Tm doubling if
he's learned his lesson yet; he cen 60 to
school again"
So he praised Robeats suggestion, and
offered to pay the passage of the whole
family and give him G100 to start life
with. The offer was accepted, and in a
few days they were on the ocean, not one
Of them aware of the real interest and af.
fection which followed them.
" But they'll write to me, said David
to himself They'll write, for they ken
| haze plenty o siller."
Once on new track, all Roberts ener.
gy returned. Provided with a letter to
the proprietors of the Mattatoot Car
pet Mills, he found his way there, and
readily obtained work. A part of his hun.
dred pounds was used in furnishing a lit
tie cottage, and Robert enjoyed degree
OF peace and comfort to which he had long
been stranger. The next spring lucky
event gave him special prominence A
large mill in the ncighborhood imported
some machinery for weaving a peculiar
kind of rug, and no one could be found in
the locality able TO make it run smoothly.
Robert heard Of the dilemma and offer
ed his help. The loom was familiar to
him, his success easy, lie had found his
place, and he knew it Day by day he
made his skill and energy felt He rose
to be overseer-business manager-part-
ner. Still he varied very little the quiet
simplicity Of his home. Jessie and he
had found how little they really needed
for happiness, and SO, year by year, what
ever they saved was invested in land which
grew in value while they slept and worked
at other things, and ten years after Rob.
erts first investment he found himself, by
the simple growth of the village, a very
rich man. just about this time David
sent them a very urgent request to come
and see him, and as he offered to pay oil
expenses, it was accepted The old man
was now nearly eighty, yet he was won
derfully hale aud bright, and met them at
the steamer, apparently little older for the
ten years that had elapsed since he bid
them goodbye" on the very same spot.
He liked Roberts way at the first glance.
/" He has the look of man wi siller,
an he bears himsel WE'LL"
Another thing made still more favor.
able impression on David. Robert was
not anxious to speak on business.
Indeed, David had at last to speak
bluutly
" You'll haze done well, I suppose ?"
Every we'll"
" You'll no be needing ony help now
| have money lying idle"
"Thank you, uncle; but | have el0,-
900 lying idle myself. | thought of in
vesting it here, if can find Just the ma
chinery | want"
You're going to manufacture again ?"
Yes; know all the ins and outs of
the trade-there is a good opening in our
town. Yes, | am thinking about II"
" You'll no be wanting partner, eh ?"
"If | can get the right kind"
I" Would do ?"
"You. Uncle"
" "Well, yes, laddie; an you need't scorn
at me. III put a hundred thousand to
your fifty, an well ca the firm "Rae &
Speers.
1ou could not leave Scotland, uncle"
Was l thinking o sic daft thing ?
LII trust my interests i your hands. In
haze my full rights, mind; an YOU shall
haze fair allowance for doing my work
as well as your ain. Wen put everything
on paper, and I'll hold you strictly to the
bargain. !"
The proposal, made half in banter, finally
assumed a very real shape, and it was
agreed that when Robert returned TO Amer.
lea, he should start a new manufacturing
firm under very different auspices to his
first venture.
" You'll be thinking, Robin, very likely
% the day when | wouldna lend you the
thousand pounds"
" You were quite right, uncle; no man
ought to borrow money until he knows the
difficulty of making it---and of saving il;
young men cant know these things; thew
belong to experience" "
=" You had that lesson TO learn then,
Robin, an thought ye might as we'll
learn it O. ither folks as n mo Ona Cal