Middletown transcript., 1877-09-01

was entered as student in one of tn
city colleges, living with his new friend
"You had better call me Unel
Simon" the latter had said to him
'sfor your mother was dearer than
sister to me, my boy, and if the peopl
who hear you think you are m!
nephew, leave all explanations to me.
But the world troubled itself very
little about Simon Clayton's new rela
tive, some of the more kindiy-hearteC
hoping he would have comfort in thc
lad, Others plying poor Laura, whost
chance Of forgiveness seemed lessened
by the arrival Of this handsome boy.
Four years glided by uneventfully
and happily. The stern old man seem
ed to renew his youth in his intercourse
with the son Minnie had sent to him,
the talented scholar who was winning
college honors, and who kept himself
singularly pure in the whirl Of the
great city's vices.
The fatherly love that Simon Clay
ton had thought buried in the graves
Of his own boys at Greenwood, sprang
to new life and vigor, as Cyrus gained
firm stand in his heart. He kept the
boy from the temptations Of vicious
company by giving him free permis-
sion to extend the hospitalities Of his
home to his fellow students, and the
boys own refined instincts led him to
seek only the association of gentlemen.
His love Of animals being discovered,
he became the possessor Of fine horse.
He was encouraged to join boat club,
and Simon himself accompanied him to
such places of amusement as he desired
to visit. Yet, suddenly lifted from
poverty to riches, from bitter self
denial to an indulgence of every wish,
from the necessity Of bread winning to
the supply of luxuries, Cyrus Ford
was not spoiled.
With his heart full Of gratitude, he
looked upon all his opportunities for
improvement as a preparation for MAX
ing his own way in the world. He was
studying law, and he studied with the
thought that his daily bread would
soon depend upon his legal knowledge.
The idea of ever inheriting any portion
of the wealth that was smoothing his
path in college, never presented itself
10 his mind, and his most constant
thought Of future prosperity, resting
upon his own exertions, was the hope
Of one day proving his gratitude by
the money spent so freely for
him, though he could never by life
time Of devotion return the fatherly |
love and kindness lavished upon him.
He had heard Of Laura Clayton from
one of those dear friends who try to
poison all happiness by anticipations
Of misery.
."You had better keep on the right |
side Of your uncle by never contradict
ing him." this friend had told him
'he was awfully fond Of his daughter,
but he never forgaye her for marrying
against his will"
Il thought his children were all
dead" was the reply.
''Not at all. Mus. Cameron lives in
a little room in Pearl street, and runs
! sewing machine for a living. She
has one daughter, but all the rest Of
her children are dead. Hard lines,
ain't it, sewing for living when her
father Is rolling in wealth."
"In Pearl streetp
eyes. She makes my shirts, so keep
ler address. She is at No. - Pearl. "
The conversation left deep impress
ion upon Cyrus Ford. Once, in the
generous impulse Of youth, he had ap-
preached the subject with his adopted
lncle, but he was so sternly silenced
hat he never dared speak again the.
lame Of the disobedient daughter. In
October, when his twenty-frst birth
lay came, Simon Clayton led the
roung man one morning to his library
"Cyrus," he said, @you are a man
o-day, and you have a right to know
What are my intentions regarding you.
IN the course of the next year you will
,e admitted to the bar, and | shall
make you the agent of my property.
we will 60 over all my invest
nents, and you will be able to relieve
ne ofsome burden Of care, as well as to
earn where your own property will
me day lie. For to-day | make my
will, and you will be my sole heir
Not word! Your mother gave you
Q mel Be my loving son, Cyrus, it is
Ill | ask of you"
@Your daughter
"Not word Of her! She died to
ne fourteen years ago.
The tone was 50 stern, Cyrus could
,nly bow his head in silence, and re-
yister a vow in his heart that his life
ervice should never waver toward his
1t seems a sudden adoption when