West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1879-11-01
HAPPILY RUINED.

y
tall and slim frame, with a face of great
intellectual beauty, dressed In costly gar
ments, though his toilet was but indifferent
ly performed.
AS the youth sat thus his door was open
ed, ane an elderly gentleman entered.
"Ah, doctor, you arc moving early this
morning, said Morton, as he lazily rose
from his seat and extended his hand
'Oh, not early for me, Arthur, " returned
Weston, with bright smile. al am an
early bird"
"Well, have you caught worm this
time Z"
II hope it will prove valuable one"
II don't know" sighed the youth. 'T
fear thousand worms will inherit this poor
body ere long"
Nonsense, you're worth half century
yet, cried the doctor, giving him gentle
slap on the shoulder ''But just tell me,
Arthur, how is it with Crosby2"
Just as | told you. All is gone
81 don't understand it, Arthur"
''Neither do, j." said the young man,
sorrowfully "That Matthew Crosby could
have done that thing, | would not, could
not, have believed Why, had an angel ap-
peared to me two weeks ago, aud told me
that Crosby was shaky, | would not have
paid a moments attention 20 it. But only
think, when my father died, he selected
for my guardian his best friend, and such /
even now believe Matthew Crosby was. and
in his hands he placed his wealth, left for
him to keep until was of age. And when
l did arrive at that period of life my money
where it was; had no use for it,. Several
times within three or four years has Crosby
asked me to take my money and invest it,
but would not. bade him keep it, and
use it, If he wished. / only asked that
when | wanted money lac would honor my
demand. felt more safe, In fact, than |
should heve felt had my money been in
bank on deposit"
''How much had he when he left ~
''He should have had 800, 600"
What do you mean to DOR
"Ah, you have me on the hip there
"And yet you must do something, my
son. Heaven knows would keep you II
could j shall claim the privilege of pay
ing your debts, however"
mo, no-doctor-none OF that
''But tell you / shall / shall pay yonr
debts, but beyond that can only help you
TO assist yourself. What do you say to go
ing TO seai"
A faint smile swept over the youths pale
features at this remark.
''l should make smart hand at sea, doc
tor. | can hardly keep my legs on shore.
No, no, / must"
''Must what, Arthur 2"
"Alas, | know not. / shall die-that Is
ALL"
Nonsense, Arthur. l say, go TO sea.
You couldn't go into shop, and you would
not IL you could. You do not wish TO re-
main here, amid the scenes OF your happier
days. Think of it--at sea you would be
free from all sneers of the heartless, and
free from all contact with things you loath.
Think of it,"
'1f went 10 sea- what could I do2"
you understand all the laws Of foreign
trudel"
eyes. You know ! had thorough
schooling at that In my fathers counting
house"
Then you can obtain the berth Of a
super cargo"
care you sure ] can get one 2"
"Yes."
''Dr. Weston, ] will go"
Arthur walked home one evening TO the
house Of wealthy merchant, John Mel
burne. II was a palatial dwelling, and
many hopeful, happy hour had he spent
beneath its roof He rung the bell aud was
huulllcu 10 the parlOf. In lew minutes
Grace Melburne entered. She was only
twenty. She had been waiting until that
age to be Arthur's wife.
Some words were spoken and then many
minutes Of painful silence ensucd.
Grace, you know all. am going from
my native land a beggar, / cannot stay lon
ger now. Grace, did know you less than
dor knowing you well, did know you
as do many should give back your
vows and free you from al bondage. But /
believe ] should trample upon your heart
did do that thing now. / know your
love is too pure and deep to be torn from
your bosom at will. So I say-waitl Thorc
are other feelings in the heart besides love.
That love is a poor, profitless passion which
puts aside al other considerations We
must love for eternity, and so our love must
be free. Wait. ] am going 10 work--aye
upon the sea To work"
Alas must it be in
cit must You will waitp'
81 will wait even 70 the gates Of the
tomb "
Then heaven bless and preserve you.
The ruined youth was upon the ocean,
his voyage begun, his duties as laborer for