The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1879-10-22

uesei 'cuiy plouu oi MS daughter.
The first, thing after tie purchase
of the fine animal was to bring it
home. Arriving at his own door,
wife, child and neighbors must come
out to look. How beautiful he was,
they all said, smoothing, down its
sleek sides; the most knowing ones
making such suggestions as profess
ional "cuteness" required.
Yes; l think l needn't be asham-
ed of my bargain this time" said
Abel, in his clear, confident voice,
E"Look wife," he added, in an under
tone, while she quickly Whispered,
II see"
A dark brown team wagon was
briskly drawn along that moment by
a high, whitish-gray horse, whose
persevering "nid, MD, nodding,"
seemed to say, I'm a sure horse and
safe one; slow, perhaps, but always
to be depended on" Forward on a
seat sat strong-bodied man with u
good enough face, saving that an ug-
ly frown detracted somewhat from a
usually pleasant expression. He
drove as rapidly as the narrow space
would admit, spitefully striking his
horse, butapparently glancing neith-
er right nor left. 1t might seem as
though some unpleasant occurrence
had thrown q veil over the happy
scene. To him it seemed as if it was
all veiledi diand so it was dark; dark
ened and blasted by the breath of
envy.
whats thdamatter now, Tim9-
What's gone wrong to-day? l know
something has, by that black look of
yours. What's the,matter with your
taa?"
Thunder take the tea!' he NUT
tered, turning hneasilE thunder take
the tea aud everything else; here's
Abe Saunders got a ngw horse on
purpose to drive me out. know it.
0, if | could only compass that fel.
low!"
"Whofathcr2" asked a hearty voice,
as the door opened and in walked a
tall young fellow, with a face as sun
ny as the day had been.
The frown partly vanished as Tim
met that frank handsome face, for he
field proud of his boy, who was, he
was sure, growing up an honor to
him. For Tim was clerk in the
neighboring city.
Again the blackness as Tins mind
reverted to his trouble:
"That confounded Abe Saunders is
pushing me out of the business as
fast as he can," he sullenly answer
ed.
"What has he done now, father2"
But the question was put so cheer
fully that Tim felt half inclined to
visit his wrath upon his son.
"Done! what is he always doing?"
he growled, making more show, and
catching more fools; lying about me
more than likely. Wasn't my bust
ness more than his five years ago?-
Haven't l been running down and
hasn't he been climbing up2 Hasn't
he bought himself a house, and a
horse, and been painting his wagon?
And don't his wife go to church ev-
cry Sunday with a brand new dress
on?"
Three weeks from that Tim had a
new horse also; his wagon was paint
ed fresh, a bright blue frock replaced
his old one, and Tim made altogeth-
er brave appearance. But that he
pinched at home was too apparent.
The butcher, whose cart usually stood
every day before Tins house, stopped
now but three times in the week.
Fresh loaves were seldom ordered
from the bakers. Matty, Tins wife
staid at home from meeting because
she had not n dress decent to appear
at church, much less a bonnet and
other essential clothing.
The truth is, Tim by his angry
jealousy lost the good will of his bost
customers smarting under u sup.
posed sense of INJURY, he was not
slow in imputing to Abel, once his
bosom friend, motives altogether
strangers TO that good mans breast
His hints obscure and lightly drop