Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1880-12-22

their neat cottage a year ago, and sell of
their best furniture at half the original cost
TO pay on the heavy. expenses attending her
hrst sickness, and bow they occupy three
rooms 10 the fourth story of a third-rate
tenement house. And what makes matters
| still worse, Charley has become discour-
aged at his lot, and has lately taken to
drink.
This Mrs. Fulsome told me in conf
dence, with the tears standing in her eyes;
and she furthermore assured me that she
very much feared he would lose his situa-
ton in consequence OF 1t. Charley Full
some, when he was married, was strictly
temperate, and looked forward TO the
future with as much hope and confidence
as you are; and yet, in little more than two
years, all his prospects in life have been
blighted through the united and ill-advIsed
judgment of the thoughtless couple"
And with these clever arguments Laura
would effectually silence her importunate
I lover for the time being.
Now II was great puzzle to everybody
how old Jasper Flint, with his penurious
habits, could have died and left his chill
dren so destitute. Some suggested that he
must have hidden or buried his money, and
every part OF the house, cellar, and back
yard were carefully examined, but with
out its resulting in any such discovery.
One day Fred Allston was surprised by
the appearance of Tommy at the office,
bearing brief and startling message from
his darling Laura. 1t contained Just these
words, and they were very suggestive for
they were first she had ever written him:
DEAR FRED: Come to me quick.
LAURA"
When he arrived she met him at the
door, and he noticed that her mar ner was
very strange and excited.
What is the matter, my poor Laura !?
What has happened ?" he exclaimed. pant
ing.
Something very odd has happened"
was her hurried and futtering answer Il
have just made a strange discovery, and
have sent for you post-haste to enlighten
men'
She led the way into the house, and
once inside she went directly, and without
speaking, to an old bureau in one corner
and drew out carefully preserved pack
age of papers, and placed them in her
lovers hands
Fred gaZed al them for a moment in be-
wildered astonishment, and then exclaimed
excitedly, 'Good heavens, Laura, what
does this meant They are government
bonds. Where did you get them? There
are thousands, too!"
'.Are you sure of that Can there be no
mistake r. demanded Laura, excitedly.
mo mistake in the world, my darling
They are genuine government securities.
But where IN tie name of all that Is Won
deIful did you get them r.
"You remember the old desk with one
broken leg In the room which my father
used TO occupyl Well, got short Of kind
ling wood, and thinking 1t no longer an
object either of utility or ornament, |
ordered Tommy TO take it TO the wood shed
and cut it up. He went out with 1t, and
began 10 cut 1t. In a few minutes he
came running in. bringing a HANDFUL of
these bonds with HIM. j guessed from
their appearance that they must be valu-
able, ana SO l sent Tommy directly for
you, thinking you might be able, with your
knowledge of business, TO see into this
matter more clearly than l. | was almost
sure that such Important-looklng docu-
ments could not be worthless paper
No, my sweet Laura, you were right
there!" cried Fred, gleefully; for he saw
that with this unexpC cted mine of wealth
in her possession, she could not reasonably
withhold her consent longer to become his
bride-not if SIZE really loved him, as she
IaA accr1raA him their tender
moments. ''There is no better paper in
the country to-day, or in the world, than
these same bonds"
In a word, the miser's children, who
had been struggling so hard the last year
and a half for q bare subsistence, while
there was an ample provision for them
hidden away in the house, now found
themselves independent
And this was what 50 troubled my
father after his attack of paralysis, sug-
gested Laura. He could neither speak
nor write, in any way make himself under
stood. Poor father he must have SUI
fered terribly, not to be able TO reveal his
secret to his children. But he was very
odd, and when well would admit no one
into his confidence"
las you say, he must have suffered in
tense agony in the end returned Fred,
thoughtfully. But now, dear Laura, you
have grown so rich, you will hardly remem-
ber your promises to a poor fellow like
me-
She looked at HIM reproachfully.
Can you think SO meanly OF me, dear,
darling Fred, after all the proofs OF affec-
ton have given you, you naughty, un-
grateful boyl" :.
Forgive me forgive me, dearest Laura!
But now there is no longer the obstacle in
the way. will you not be merclful enough
to end this long suspense, and name the
happy day" -,
III is now the middle of November, "
said Laura, archly. Let US say at Christ
mas
sYou are darling ANGEL" cried Fred,
rapturously, and they were married at the