St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1879-06-06

Alex at once sailed Tor Sidney, where
he had brother, and Robert took his
wife and children to the manse while he
endeavored to find a situation. But
week after week passed, another week
was approaching, and nothing had been
done. Once again David Speers was
smoking his after dinner pipe, and was
interrupted. This time it was his pret-
ty niece Jessie. His face softened won
derfully when he met her large, fearful
eyes, and laying down his pipe hurried
ly he went to meet her. The courtesy
was IL great one, and it gave Jessie hope
and courage. ''Oh, uncle" she said,
1--WE have sore need of you"
''My puir little woman Sit down and
tell Davie what he can do for you"
Jessie's story 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."
'fThen you shall come here, my daw-
ty, you and Robert and Jessie and wee
Davie, and we'll see what your man is
fit for. If he Gamma find his feet wi q
woman like you Pm no sorry for him."
SO the next day the family moved i'll
with their small belongings to David's
grand house, very much to the annoy
ance of mistress Janet, David's house
keeper. This indeed soon made things
so unpleasant that it was evident to all
parties there could be no delay in a de-
cision, and Robert, almost in despera-
tion, resolved to try his fortune in the
New World.
David, pressed by his hOusekeeper's
| l,Ii
nephew, knew of only one other way
he could advance Robert the money for
a new effort ''but it would be the ruin
of the lad," he said thoughtfully; "rm
doubling if he has learnt his lesson yet
he must e'en go to school again." So he
praised Roberts suggestion and offered
to pay the passage of the whole family,
and give him flO0 to start with.
Rather grumblingly the offer was ac-
cepted, and in few days they were on
the ocean, not one of them aware of the
real affection that followed them-.'but
they'll write to me-" said David to him
self; "they'll write, for they ken hae
plenty O. siller."
Once on IA new track all Roberts en-
ergy returned. He sought information
| from all he met, and when he arrived
in New York he had a very clear idea
of the direction he ought to take. Pro-
vided with letter which fellow pas
senger had given him to the proprietOrs
of the MattatOk carpet mill, he found
his way there, and readily obtained
work. A part of his f100 he used in
furnishing cottage, and Robert en-
jOyed degree of comfort to which he
| had long been a stranger
The next year a lucky event gave
him special prominence. A large mill
in the neighborhood imported some
machinery for weaving peculiar kind
| of rug, and no one could be found in
the neighborhoOd able to make it run
smoothly. Robert heard of the dilemma
and offered his help. The loom was
familiar to him; his success was easy.
He found his place, and he knew it
day by day he made his skill and en-
ergy felt. He rose to be overseer-busi-
ness manageI-partner. Still he varied
very little the quiet simplicity of his
home. Jessie and he 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 other times. and ten
years after Roberts first investment he
found himself, by the simple growth of
the village, rich man.
Just about this time Uncle David
sent them a very urgent request to
come and see him, and as he offered to
pay all expenses it was accepted. The
old man was now nearing eighty, yet
he was wonderfully hale and bright,
and met them ut the steamer apparent
ly little older for the years that had
elapsed since he bidahem goOd-by on
the very same spot. He liked Roberts
look o. a man wi siller, and he bears
himself well. pll wager he's full purse
in his pouch"
Another thing made u still more ia
vOrable impression on David; Robert
was not anxious to speak on business.
Indeed, David had at last to ask blunt
ly:
"Weel, Robin, what kind o. kintra
yOn."
''It's great country, uncle"
You haze done weel, L suppose 2"
every well.n
A long pause,
'You'll no be needing any help now 7
hdHe money lying lule.
''Thank you, uncle David; but |
have fifty thousand dollars lying idle,
myself. l thought some of investing il
there if | could get just the machinery
/ want.n
"YOur gaun to manufacturing again p
eyes | know all the ins and outs OF
the business there is good opening
in our town."
"YOu'll not be wanting partner 2"
eff l can get the right kind"
"Would l doq"
"You, Uncle 2"
"Well, yes, laddie; an you needna
bscOrn at me. I'll put hundred thou.
sand to your fifty, an We'll call the
firm Rae and Speers."
"YOu could not leave Scotland
uncle"
"Was thinking o. sic daft thing
) Pll trust my interests in your hands
) I'll have my full right, mind and yOI
, shall have fair allowance for doing
! my work as well as your own. Wei
put everything on paper, and I'u hole
you strictly to the bargain"
J The proposal, made half in banter
finally assumed very real shape, anC
1T was agreed that when Robert return
ed to America he should start up new
manufacturing firm under very differ
! ent auspices from his first venture.
! But the past was only once alluded
f to, and then David introduced the sub
iect.
5 "You'll be thinking, Robin, yer,
1 likely o. the day when L would ma lent
! you the twa thousand pounds"
: "You were right, uncle; no maj
7 ought to borrow money until he know
the difficulty of making it-and of say