The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1877-05-08
Stllfrt Story,.s !
THE EDEN OF WILDWOOD

Paul Renford was thunderstruck. For
once In his life be was aroused to some
thing like consideration of subject in
hand. i'7 ac5'- i7sv Ert,Ga7 .tF
Paul was four and d-twenty; at the age
of eighteen he had been left an orphan
and heir to an estate worth a million !;
and his uncle--his mothers brother
had been appointed his guardian. This
uncle was Anson Betterman, an enter
|prising merchant and atrue-hearted man
After Paul came OF age and became mas
ter of his property, through the advice
of his ancie he employed lawyer man,
ed Lovett to act as his agent--to look
after his rents, and so on--and gradually
this Lovett, who proved to be an ap,
and ready man of business, had gained
into his hands the entire control OF the
whole property. and SO implicitly had
Paul trusted him that he had not ever
demanded vouchers for his bank trars
actions. sslr car aas a ieo f.
I'm fact, Paul Renford had degeueratet
into listless, aimless being; his natura
liabilities, OF the very highest order, hat
been prostitnted to the most useless o
all pHrsuits-the mere seeking Of pleas
ure for the purpose Of killing time. "A
FIRST he lived moderately; his youthful
vigor had held him aloof from the neec
of stimulants; but OF late long con
continued round of ,dissipation-parties
balls, clubs and billiards, in which nigh
was appropriated to ,wakefulness and tn
day 10 sleep-had so reduced his physi
cal vim that without stimulants be fount
no comfort. y51ol aeili-. oa ,l57r taae7
And now Arson Batterman had com
10 inform him that Porter Lovett hat
left the conntry with every available
scrap of his property. j, ~. ue .s, -.
"Do you mean" gasped Paul, when b
could breathe, '.that he has taken all +
"Yes, everything; you had allowed
him such unlimited sway that be fount
no difficulty in getting every dollar int
his own hands
Sand l am pennHess p Ha
| "You know best whether you had an,
of your property invested in business o
not
"Not penny m f5
Then l fear that you have little a
hand which you can call your own"
.In heavens name, Uncle Anson, ,wha
shall ! doa'' As 3rasa 7@
s"Really, Paul, I see but two ways ope
to you you can lie down and Wither an
die under the stroke, or you can do a
|thousands of others have done in mis-
fortune-arouse yourself, put on the al
NOR OF true manhood, and 1gnt the Dai
tie of life bravely."
II must earn my own living 2"
| at would seem sc"
2'sAnd how ?" -
Il can give you place in my store.
mo, no, cannot commence the bal
tile here-not here In the city where
have led the van OF folly and dissipation
Let me have time to think"
4 "All right, my boy, and meantime
will think, too."
i On the following day Mr., Betterma
called again; but Paul had not though
I what he could do.
"What have you thought, uncle 2"
"IlI tell you what I've thought, m
hoy. Back in the country, and not ver
j far from the city, are the mills owned b
my friend Sargent; they are in quie
secluded village,the inhabitants OF whic
. are mostly mis- own operatives, M
Sargent will give you clerkship ther
and the pay will be ample for your SUI
port" ss.,,,a, !, ,7c.. a@ .e,
aBut," said Paul, "may we not ys
fnd Lovett p 4s RI .ca8 d, sss
4"As yet we have been able to gain
: clue as to his whereabouts he is a ma
not easy to be entrapped. But we ca
try further, if you please" -
II win 60 up and look at the mills"
J. And so Paul Renford went up to Viii
wood, as Mr.. Sargent had named b
!. settlement, and he found it rural and T
tired enough; but it was q beautiful spt
; nevertheless, and he he had q strong
! cIination to accept the proffered situatio
;. He returned to the city on the day OF
D evening of Mrs. Spitenstinger's graz
? party; he was wondering il he had b
!, Ter 90, when he learned from a servs
y of the house that no invitation. had be
sent to him. On that very afternoon
Vs. met the Misses Spitenstinger upon
: avenue, and they did not acknowled
his salutation. 4ls .ias 30 ~
! $50, so," be muttered, "and that is
2 am worth to them"
) For little time his heart sank
then he rallied.
+ "Come, come, my boy" he exclai
!. ed, shifting himself upon the bres
" ethere may be something in life for
=. vet. Be brage!' Il
10 And on the very next day he accep
E the clerkship at Wildwood Mills, and
tered at once upon his duties. Fo
N. time he found it dull, hard work;
gradually his health improved, and
vigo. of youth came hack to him;
= under simple living his muscles grew
strengthened, and his whole frame CT
into the perfect tone Of manly bea
= and elasticity; and now his duties
came light and cheering,and he sang
whistled at his work.
The overseer OF the mill was
Grayson. and with him Paul foul
+ home. Mr.. Grayson's daughter vi
~ healthful, light hearted, true-spirited
of nineteen; she was one of those bic
Inc suites whose whole presence is
shine, and her merry laugh rippled
the music of dancing waters in the
T. bly, brooklet. The student Of human
@ ture who heard that laugh would un
ita,ingly declare that only heart OF
tive purity and gentleness could und
-. it.. os sa % $50 'a&Si5
pss At first Della Grayson, when she
that Paul Renford was weak and dc
+, ed, sought to cheer and entertain hi
reS She had heard the story of his great
and she pitied him. She played for
upon the harp and upon the piano,
SIZE sang to him and talked to him.
- by and by, when he had grown st
. and vigorous, and when his innate
u hood had manifested itself, she grew
RC and taciturn and finally sought to
WV him
.: .!iss And then, for the first zine in his
w Paul knew what true love was Fo