Connecticut western news., 1877-07-20

one is liable to make mistakes, especially about such matters"
 "That puts me in mind," continued my grandfather, 'tof asking you how you are coming on with your piano playing friend.' '-.-
 t'I scarcely see her, except on Sun days"
 ''Humph!' returned my grandfather clearing his throat. didn't like the ejaculation. I often heard it before and I regarded it with the same appre. hension that a mariner does an ugly cloud that rises up to the windward.
 "Humphr' he. continued, blowing q column of smoke toward the china orna- ments on the mantlepiece, "what are you good for?" He looked squarely al me as he asked me the question.
 He evidently expected reply, so answered him by saying that as yet didn't know. .. 5h e..a"-
 l ttThat's candid, at all eyents," he re- l piled. "l've been thinking a good deal about you of late, and it occurred to me that you might make a poor lawyer af- ter all. And you know what a poor lawyer is. You remember Simons, the man whou sed to board about on the I farmers during the summer time? Well, 1 he was what they term a poor lawyer. He hadn't brains enough to make his 1 profession support him, and was ready to do writing or saw wood to help to eke out a livelihood" a,.-"ap .... | Gennr rrconIco,, 1oc 1,cn;,>c s1 ,.t1 s,, terrupted my grandmother. My side of the family contained no fools, and Iyours, father, were what were termed cute men," -- - .-..... .
 '"rhere's beginning everywhere, 7" returned the old man, puffing vigorously at his pipe. "There must be a begin ming" .-....... .......s. t.... .. Having delivered this remark with an emphasis which left no doubt that he believed it, he went on: . H'Can you take that clock to pieces | (there was an old-fashiOned clock stand in one corner of the room) and put it together again ?" ' 5"' -
 "sI'm no clock-maker," replied. .
 '"rhat is to say," rejoined he, "you have no mechanical ingenuity. One must not be clock-maker to do that. I have done it, and can do it again; and I am no clock-maker.''
 | ''How unreasonable you are, father, '' suggested my grandmother.
 He dip not appear to notice her re- mark, but continued: r.... .. | l.
 ssI never tried" replied.
 "Then you are not as expert as a clown. For the life of me can't see what good you are going to do in the world" tas, 4f.r..t
 "And can't see," said my dear old grandmother; "what occasion there will be for the boy to mend clocks or turn somersalts. To hear you talk, one would think you had nothing to leave him but your advice, and that is not of the most encouraging nature. :"
 "A young man should rely upon him. self, " returned my grandfather. "Riches take wings. I've managed to hold my property together pretty well, but how do I know he will do so when you and are gone? He'll marry Miss Miller. | What sort of a wife will she make him Smart with her heels no doubt. Nimble with her fingers at the old organ, but those won't serve to keep family from going headlong to destruction"
 "Sallie Miller is very prudent and useful girl," replied my grandmother. ''I don't see what you find amiss in her.' tef .-....
 "Don't you?" he replied. Then he relapsed into silence, and smoked and looked into the fire.
 By and by he got up and walked out of the room, and then my dear old in her own, and told me not to fret, that she would bring my grandfather to think better of my sweetheart.
 1 thanked her ever so much, but had little hope that she would ever be successful. F About this time my grandfather was selling some property in the town where was reading law, and it became necessary for him to go there to sign some deeds and, receive the money for the sale. At his request accompanied him. .s '-#-
 It was nearly evening when his busi- ness was finished, and we set out on our return home. Four thousand dol lars, the proceeds of the sale, my grand father carried in bank notes on his per son, as it was too late to make deposit in bank. The old gentleman was in good humor, and talked pleasantly as we drove along. My mind was full of schemes just at that time as to how I was to support Sallie Miller if married her before my grandfather died. little dreamed that ere we arrived home a way would be opened to me. We were fg0ing down.a steep hill, and it was now 'fquite dark, when the horse stumbled and fell, and in an instant shaft was snapped in twain. l sprang out of the wagon and grandfather quickly fol- lowed. r...r. ..- .-'.r rf..,..,...
 The horse in his fall had become en- tangled in the harness, and lay helpless upon the earth. The moon was just ris- ing and gave but an uncertain light, for the sky was full of fieecy clouds, but still it was light enough to perceive grandfather drop the package of $4OOO as he stopped down to free the horse. There it lay at my feet and he was un- conscious of the loss. Another instant and had picked it up and was holding it behind me, irresolute how to act. You will understand that didn't mean to steal it, but somehow or other had an indistinct idea that could make the occasion subserve my aims. There was a large flat stone by the roadside. I