The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-10-07
BY ]. P. b.

that, In their early years, would have en-
trely spoiled their prospects, or if they
had plenty Of money, consigned them to
q lunatic asylum.
The hero of the following story was
rapidly approaching sixty when he &C.
CURED the reputation of being the ssfun-
NEST old gent" that lived out Finchley
way, and how he developed into that no..
toriety will not take long nor be I'M
pleasant in the telling.
He was retired t1adesman, q bachelor
from choice, for he had never given anv
woman an opportunity of lifting him,
and for forty years had been known in q
business street of the Strand as one of
the staidest of men.
Having amassed fortune, he retired
to small villa in the quiet end of Finch
ley, far out of the sight and hearing of
all the cemeteries, with q Young lady. the
daughter of deceased friend, for ward
and companion, and a s'churchwarden''
as long as his walking stick for q soother
in his hours of meditation.
He was thickset, short, rosy-cheeked.
jolly looking party, bald as philosopher
who had early devoted his hair to the
pursuit Of the impossible, but as genial
IN manner as 9 good old parson in the
green old age of placid self. contentment.
It need scarcely be added that he loved
good ale, and although he had never read
or heard of Warton, he could with him
exclaim: .. -. ....,. ..a.ct ~
my sober evening lei the tankard bless, IS
While the rich draughts, with oftrepeated
Tobacco mild improves" -
He was sitting in his pretty garden,
his custom of a fine afternoon in the
summer, as usual smoking, and this time
listening, or pretending to listen to
young fellow, who was talking volubly
of the cares and anxiet1es of a life that
had just stretched itself into its twenty
third year.
"This is the age Of medocrity, uncle"
said the young man with languid energy.
"Genius is unappreciated. A fellow. to
succeed in either art or literature, must
creep; IT he tries to soar above the COM
mon level, worry and distraction keeps
him downtown, uncle, and unless he
grovels in the dust of the dullness of the
common herd Of authors and artists, he
must starve- starve, uncle, for he cannot
live on the wind Of his own self-approval.
The paintings you admired SO much the
society would not look at, but they could
hang inferior work on the line-actuallv
on the line, uncle"
What further he might have said was
not said, for his uncle, Like one inspired
rose from his seat, and, with his pipe,
waved him in the direction OF little
door IN the garden wall, at the same
time crying out: ~
"Follow me!''
The old gentleman conducted his re-
lative into back yard, apparently de-
voted to clothes drying and lumber, on
one side of which, right under the blaz-
ing sun. was pump, rusty handled, and
in the last stage of dlapldat On.
"Do you see that pump?" said the I'M
Gle. 't.' 90 .,... 10 ~.
His nephew acknowledged that he
did. .5
ut strikes me forcibly," said the un-
Gle, seating himself on an aged chair.
"that the pump is key to a mystery.
The well has evidently been long unused.
Who knows, now, what a valuable med
iclnl water it conRins2 It is said
truth lies in a well. Many fortune has
been found in one. Oblige me, Fred, by
putting off your coat and pumping
Fred cheerfully complied with the re-
quest, for, having expectations from the
owner of the pump, he felt it would be
folly to refuse to comply with any of his
reasonable commands. @..
So Fred pumped until the perspira-
ton exuded from every pore of his body,
and his arms ached as they had never
ached at any athletic sport in which he
had INDUCED, but never drop of water
came. His uncle looked on, smoking
the while, and with all the gravity of an
American Indian. At the end Of about
half an hour, Ned dropped the rusty
handle in disgust, and exclaimed.
1.-THE we'll is dry!''
"And SO am l. replied bus uncle, fix
ing on his exhausted nephew a pair of
round, goosebery eyes, from which all
speculation seemed long ago to have van
ished. +.
Fred, however, seemed to read some
meaning in their unwinking stare;
probably the monosyllable response as
eAesSu LII ~ al MttIpIttauOn, 1Of put
ting on his coat, he left the yard without
uttering word. In the house he en-
countered the ward, Miss Helen We're.
pretty and accomplished young lady Of
eighteen, who thought him the hand
soonest and cleverest young maj ii IN 81
creation, and was quite prepared s..
throw herself and fortune on his brol.uu.
manly bosom.
Fred was quite aware of the state Of
her mind with regard to him, and fond
" recip1ocated her affection; but with all
bis failings as genius in the thrall of
9 morbid depression Of energy, he was
honorable, and scorned the suggestion of
marrying girl for her money, even if
he legally could have done so.
What is the matter2" inquired the
young lady, peering into his heated and
much discomposed visage. "Have
guardy and you quarreued9"
No, we have not quarrelled, but he
has taught me lesson shall not soon
forget, and, kissing her tenderly, he
hurried from the house.
His uncle observed his departure,