The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1881-11-24

, Less IN John smiled 10 himself IN
aunt favored the courting.
The summer months came and went
Absalom browning came and went once
week; and sometimes twice, and job
} Paul remained on the farm. He grew
he fsvoriie. aud his activity aud phys
cal strength. with his great and guod.na
ture, made him popular with the younI
men around. Absalom did not like him
however With Rachel he got along fam
ously. She had boen his friend from tn
first never forgetting his opportun
championship. Then ho read SO beauti
fully, and was full OF tales Of adventure
for, according 10 his own account he has
travelled great deal. In his wandering
he had picked up deal Of knowledge. too
as leaked out bit by bit, and he bade fai
TO make good farmer so the farmer like'
him too. But Mshlon. whose spirits La,
been getting lower and lower. at length
grew gloomy, and his gloom was shsret
by his wife. and even infected Rachel,
The cause OF this trouble John Pau
learned from the laxative clerk at thu
store where the Stacys dealt, and with i
he got some Of the family history. 1t ap
peared that Rachel Taylor, tho younge
sister OF Mahlon's wife, had eloped ant
married with Gordon Forsyth, a gay ant
wealthy young gentleman from New
York, who had accidentally met'and fallen
in love with her. Rachel had been "dis
owned" for marrying "out Of meeting,
but worse followed. Forsyth, who was
on the downward course, soon got tired o.
his pretty wife, resumed his dissipation
and was drowned while drunk two years
afterward, leaving his widow with one
year.old child. Rachel Forsyth did mol
long survive her husband, who proved to
have been at his death bankrupt He had
managed to Mahlon Stacy, who believed in
him, to become bondsman in case involv'
ing, it afterward turned out, question
able transaction. Mahlon paid the iudg.
msnt, but was obliged to mortgage the
farm, which had been in the Stacy family
for four generations He adopted the lit.
tie Rachel, sent her to school to be educat.
ed, and bit by bit accumulated money
sufficient to discharge the mortgage. The
bank in which lie kept his savings
broke, and he not only lost his store, but
was unable to meet the interest fer year.
The mortgage was in other hands, rich
New Yorker held it and proceedings to
fore-close had bee, begun. Ii Rachel
married Absalon Browning, who was rich
himself and rich mans $ son, thoro would
be no difficulty. They say that Rachel
hangs back, concluded the clerk. Tray
ther guess she'll give in at last. That's
the way Mahlon'll pull through, in my
judgement.
John came home after hearing oil this,
and found Absalom Browning there. The
young Quaker WAS got up quite smartly-
in plain clothes, to be sure, but his shad-
bellied coat was of the finest olive.colored
broadcoth, and his broa1. brimmed hat OF
the very best beaver He remained to sup
per, and was treated with marked consid-
Grafton by the farmer and his wife. Rachel
seemed to be q little embarrassed. John
sat at the window in the dark. looking out
on the night, and thinking. In little
while Absalom Browning left, and he
heard the wheels Of his wagon driven af-
ter the fashion OF Jehu, the son Of Nimshi.
Then he heard the light step Of Rachel on
the stairs on her way to rest.
The next morning John went out early
10 see to the horses and cattle. When he
returned to breakfast he observed that
Mahlon was curt and monosyllabic OF
speech, Naomi gloomy, and Rachel dis
tressej. John ate his meal silently. and
then went to the field with Mahlon. Bnt
he soon made an excuse to return to the
house. Rachel was ealone there, seated
with her face buried in her hands, and so
intent on her thoughts that she did not
h ear him come in.
,vhat is the trouble, Rachel? he asked.
The girl started up, and the bloc rush
al to he, face. but she made no reply.
Is il 10 b AZ wedding? he continued
John Paul, thee's-thee's-
Or did you 4und Absalom B. about his
business last pig.tsF
What is that to thee Jobnf Uncle is
with me, aunt is sorry ana
now thee must What is II to thee whether
l have or notf 80,
Rachel, said he. taking her trembling
hand, and retaining it inispite OF her effort
TO withdraw it, it is everything TO me- Tor
/ love you dearly.
The eyes Of the girl filed with sudden
light. Theel thee love-me,
How long they stood there neither e"nid
tell, but at the sound Of Mahlou Stacys
heavy step on tue veranda, Rachel made
her escape.
What keeps thee in the house, john! IN
quired the farmer, entering the room. We
have work to get thr ough with.
Let that pass for moment. Mr.. Stacy.
have something TO say. Who holds now
the mortgage on the iarm'
Why does thee ask'
From no idle curiosity. What is his
name, and where does he live?
His name is Frobisher, and be lives In
New York. 1t is his lawyer. Woodford,
Who has the business in hand.
Woodfordl Not Charles Woodford! Sol
In that cass. make yourself perfectly easy
can arrange that for you.
ls thee serious John psul? Does thee
think that Frobisher would do it for Mee'