Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1880-11-10
Too Much TO Ask.

When | was young man, | entered the
manufacturing house of Bell & Co, as 3
clerk.
The position which held, that of chief
salesman, gave me s knowledge of the
wants of customers, and necessarily brought
me in daily contact with the master me-
chanic of the concern
This gentleman was man of considerable
ability and much goodness of heart We
became Enthusiastically, and fast friends.
He was married. His wife was, to all ap-
pearances, an esteimable lady-iOving and
unselfish.
Ivas frequent visitor at their house,
their society being particularly pleasurable
to ME; and i had reason to believe my pres
ence equally agreeable to them. | often
thought, that if | had wife to grace my
home like the one possessed by John Rivers,
should be contented and happy.
After awhile visitor arrived at the Ri
vers' mausion-a sister of the wife.
This sister was younger, fairer, and more
beautiful in every respect than the other. l,
as might be expected, took great fancy to
the new comer An attachment sprang up
between us which ripened into love; very
ardent love, on my part al least then
thought that women were little less than
angels. and she the fairest and purest of
them all.
In time / declared my passion, and my
sweetheart gladdened my heart by the ac-
knowledgmento of feelingssimilartomy own.
We became engaged.
| need not tell you Of the b,issfulness OF
those days. The charm of life seemed to
have just begun
In the meantime, John grew discontented
with his position at the factory. His income
was large for salary man, but its coming
was so regular, and the amount so unvary-
ing. that there was monotony about IT
which did not harmonic with his ambitious
ideas. He threw up his position, and
started factory of his own His notions
of business were those of child; his train
ing had not bsen in the proper direction
for success
He failed disastrously. His wife, In
stead of extending the sympathy which
a man. under such circumstances, Graves,
charged him with Imbecility, Her reproach-
es were so constant that the poor man
became distracted. The loss OF his wlfe's
love and respect, added to the destruction
of his financial hopes, made him succumD
entirely. He died, leaving his wife nearly
pennlless.
The be-eaved ones took their loss quite
pbilosophically-e but little grief, L
thought.
I offered them all the consolation IN my
power-showed becoming interest In the
widows plans for the future-made various
suggestions in regard to positions when
were respectable, and duties light and the
pay good-all of which advice was kindly
received, but not acted on
Though Mrs. Rivers, after her husband
misfortunes. hadexhibitedtraitso OF character
which would render her, during seasons OF
disaster. ANYTHING but congenial compan-
ion 7 should. if had been pecunianly able,
have urged speedy marriage OF myself ana
heloved and offered home, free from care,
10 the widow of my deceased friend; but the
claims of my widowed mother and young
sstercould not be ignored, and those ciainls'
though moderate enough. were sufficiently
great to keep my purse in state oil depie'
t,ou quite incompatible with the permanent
maintenance of strangers. My resources
wore too limited to entertain such thoughl
for moment. Tho,
No, 90 however, with the ladies' Iha'
as vet unproposed arrangement was 'he one
of all others uppermost in their MINUS
though, / opine, they had no great iaitn II
its accomplishment else the change III .iiei'
,,,o,,er towards me would not have peen
Continued my attentions, OF course 'o
,oa, love. but noticed great lack OF
cordiality on her part; the heretofore iis'',
s;vsn smiles were withheld; and when pu'
the question to her, "How soon sn"h -,
honnv day bes' she replied, The aay u
our marriage may be hastened' or pernia
neptly removed, according to your aecls'ol ,.
in regard to a request when L n'' y
make. 49,, ,eopest- though
confess / was not without surnliSe 10 y
the nature of it. He
SAID she, sit relates to my sister . -.
welfare is a consideration of more inpO.. .
apce to me, just now, than la ,na. ~ suc,
alliance with anyone; that is unless SUI. Sa
alliance should contribute as mucn VI ~ i
comfort as my own. What l wish 70 a,A as -, !,
whether YOU are willing, in the event o. ~
,.rr;oee to undertake my sister suppo.'
and 10 give her home-s permanent H'''
under your own roof" 81, :,
This request, as she termed ~ - as1icsc @
m position to grant. The wan' y. ,'.;,rde fo
.p1sved ~ made me forget that soiic'Iuae ~ -
me's kindred is an admirable 'mns' ".,;on
.s @ .Iloved to outrun ones disereuo.
tnoeeN ,;rs vay In wich the uiA'