The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1877-04-26

In his cradle, DOWN at the lnlll lhllSs
were apparently equally prosperous-alI
the looms were at work and the very
welfare of Kilmarnock as community
was sensibly connected with the busi-
ness of LANG & Rae's Carpet Mill"
But great deal Of this success was
only apparent, for ii hung upon chances
entirely beyond the control Ofthe young
partners in it.
They had been compelled to borrow
largely, and had big interest accounts
to meet, and a great deal Of their paper
being from houses unknown to local
banks, had to be cashed at very heavy
discounts.
All these things were much against
them, yet so great was their industry
and energy that they might have turned
all into "happy circumstances, and
won in spite of the odds against them
if yarns had not taken tremendous
and quite unlooked-fOr fall. This, OF
course, was followed by a number OF
failures, in most of which they suffered
Not all their efforts could now gather
together their numerous lines of enter.
prise, and they found itequally impOssi.
BILE to curtail them, and so, after month
of desperate, anxious struggle, the firm
of LANG & Rae, Carpet Weavers," ap-
peared in the list of "Sequestrations. .
Old David Spears, with that subtle in
stinct indigenous to capitalists, had long
foreseen, and resolutely refused to med
die i'm the matter. A GOODNESS had
therefore, gradually grown up between
uncle and nephew, and when the end
came Daniel was not among those who
offered Robert and Aleck advice and
sympathy. The young men behaved
well; they surrendered everything
even to their home plenishing; but
Scotch creditors are a pitilessly just
class, and did not fail to stigmatize as
dishOnOrable and unbusineSs-like the
speculative and risky nature of the trade
done by the broken firm.
Aleck at once sailed for Sydney
where he had a brother, and Robert
took his wife and children to the manse
while he endeavOred to find situation
But week. after week passed, another
winter was approaching, and nothing
had been done. Once again David was
smoking his after-dinner pipe and was
interrupted. This time it was his
pretty niece Jessie. His face softened
wonderfully when he met her large
fearful eyes, and laying down his pipe
hurriedly, he went to meet her. The
courtesy was a very great one, and II
gave Jessie hope and courage.
"Oh, uncle, she said, eve have sore
need of you"
"My 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-"Robert's heart had quite
failed him: they were almost penniless
and they had worn their welcome out
at the manse."
"Then you'll come here, my dawtie
YOU and Robert, and Jessie and wee
Davie; an We'll see what your man is
fit for. If he Gamma find his feet wi q
wife like you, Pm no sorry for him."
So the next day the family moved
with their small belongings to David's
grand house, very much to the annoy.
ance of Mistress Janet, David's house
keeper. This lady indeed soon made
things so unpleasant that it was evident
to all parties there could be no delay in
decision, and Robert, almost in despe-
ration, resolved on trying his fortune in
the New World.
David, pressed by his housekeeper''
grumbling, and by his affection for his
nephew, knew only of one other way
he could advance Robert money for 6
new effort; "but it would be the ruin
o. the lad" he said thoughtfully: "I'm
doubling if he's learnt his lesson yet
he must EN- 60 to school again" So he
praised Roberts suggestion and offered
to pay the passage of the whole family
and give him fl00 to start life with.
Rather grumblingly the offer was ac-
cepted, and in few days they were OF
the ocean, not one of them aware of the
real interest and affection which fol
lowed them-"but they'll write to me,
said David to himself, they'll write
for they ken hae plenty O. siller."
Once on new track, all of Roberts
energy returned. He sought informa
ton from all he met, and when he ar
rived in New York, he had very clear
idea of the direction he ought to take.
Provided with letter which fellow
passenger had given him to the proprie
tors of the Mattatook Carpet Mills, HI
found his way there and readily obtained
work. A part of his f100 was used il
furnishing little cottage, and Rober
enjoyed a degree Of peace and comfor
to which he had long been stranger.
The next year lucky event gave hin
prominence. A large mill in the neigh
borhood imported some machinery fo
weaving a peculiar kind of rug, and N
one could be found in the locality ablt
to make it run smoothly. Robert hearC
of the dilemma and offered his help
The loom was familiar to him and his sue
cess easy. He had found his place, anC
he knew it; day by day he made hi
skill and energy felt. He rose to over
seer-business manager-partner
Still he varied very little the quie
simplicity of his home. Jessie and h'
had found out how little they really
needed for happiness, and so, year by
year, whatever they saved was invested
In real estate. The land grew in value
while they slept and worked at othe
things, and ten years after Roberts frs
investment he found himself, by thu
simple growth of the village, very
rich man,
Just about this time Uncle David sen
them very urgent request to come ant
see him, and as he offered to pay all ex
penses 1t was accepted. The old MAJ
was now nearing eighty, yet he wa
wonderfully hale and bright, and me
them at the steamer, apparently LITTLE
older for the ten years that had elapsed
| - 4 4 Al. a.s.1 4.
very same spot. lie liked Roberts way
at the first glance: she has the look o
a man wi siller an he bears himsel
well. Use wager he's full purse il
his pouch"
Another thing made still more ia
vorable impression on David; Rober
was not anxious to speak on business
Indeed David had at last to ask bluntly
"Weel, Robin, what kind O. kintry i
yon."