Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-04-08
Gales anb Skktfbes.
A ROMANCE OF LABOR.
AN ENGLISH STORY.

The following true incident was brought
to my remembrance while listening to the
rebellieus words Of a young man, who
could not see his fathers wisdom in desir-
ing him to learn a trade.
.'It will make a common man of me,
father" he said ENORMOUSLY; II shall be
as dirty as a blacksmith and have hands
like coal-heaver.''
"And if you think, Fred, that wearing
fine clothes and having white hands make
you gentleman, let me tell you, sir, that
YOU are very common man to begin with.
A good trade might help you to truer no
tons Of gentlemanhood."
Then looked at the handsome, young
fellow-for he was handsome-and
thought Just now Of Steve Gaskill. Steve
had made his mark now, but many years
ago / heard just such talk between him
and old Josiah Gaskill, relative to the
Young man learning his fathers trade OF a
wool stapler.
Its dirty business, father said the
splendid Steve. in full evening-dress, land
hate the smell of oil and the sight of
these men in blue linen blouses. I hope
that shall do something better for myself
than that
Very well, lad, what is it thou'd fain
to be?''
"A LAWYER father"
They're naught but a lazy, quarrel
some set, but thou shalt not say that ever
stood in the gate. BE lawyer, lad. III
speak to Denham tomorrow ab9pt thee, p"
So young Steve was articled to Denham
& D0wness to study law especially con-
veyancing. He was an only son, but had
three sisters, and over them and his moth
er he exercised supreme influence.
Whatever Steve did was right, whatever
he said was beyond dispute. Even old
Josiah, with all his sound sense. was in
spite Of himself, swayed by the undisput-
ed acknowledgment of Steve's superiority.
He would not have advised his son to be a
lawyer, but seeing that Steve was not
afraid to be one. he was rather proud Of
the lads ambition.
1t cost them good deal. Steve's tastes
were expensive. and he fell naturally
among class of men who led him into
many extravaganza. There were Occa-
sionally awkward scenes, but Steve, sup
ported by his mother and sisters. always
cleared every Scrape, and finally satisfied
the family pride bv being regularly all
mitted upon the roll Of her majesty's at
torneys.
In the meantime his father had been
gradually failing in health soon after that
he died Most of his savings had been Sc
cured for the helpless women of the Gas
kill family and Steve now found himself
with profession and thousand pounds
to give him fair start in it. People said
old Gaskill had acted very wisely, and
Steve had sense enough to acquiesce in
Il. hot
long IA his mother or sisters had shill-
ing they would share it with him.
So he hopefully opened an Office in his
native town of Leeds. and waited for
clients. But York shire men are proverbial-
" cautious young lawyer was not their
ideal. Steve could not look crafty and
wise under any circumstances. and that
frs. year he did not make enough to pay
his rent
Nevertheless he did not in any way
curtail his expenses; and when the sum-
mer holidays arrived he went as usual to
n fashionable watering place. 1t happened
that year saw the debut of Miss Helen
Braithwaite. a great heress and very
handsome girl. Steve was attracted bv
her beauty. and her great wealth was not
draw back in his eve. In short time he
perceived that Miss Braithwaite favored
him above all other pretenders to her hand
and he began to consider the advantages
of a rich wife.
His profession had hitherto been a fail
ure his one thousand pounds were nearly
spent; his three sisters were all on the
point of marriage, q condition which might
seriously modify their sisterly instincts.
and his mothers annual income wouldn' t
support him month-would it not be the
best plan to accept the good fortune so
evidently within his reach
Elizabeth was handsome and inclined
TO favor him. and though she had the rep
utation of being authoritative in temper
and economical in money matters, he did
not doubt that she would finally acknowl-
edge his power rs completely as his
mother and sisters. So he set himself to
win Miss Braithwai,e. and before Christ
mas they were married.
True, he had been compelled to give up
great deal more than he liked; but he
promised himself great many post-mari-
tai compensations. Elizabeth insisted on
keeping her own house. and As Steve had
really no house to offer her, he must needs
20 to Braithwaitc Hall rs the husband of
its proprietress. She insisted upon his re-
moving his office to Braithwatie. small
village. offering none of the advantages
for killing time which a large city like
Leeds did: and she had all her money
scrupulously settled on herself for her ow n
use and under her control
Steve felt very much rs though his wife
had bought him, but for little while, the
eclat OF having married great heires.
the bridal festivities and foreign travel
compensated for the loss of his freedom.
But when they returned to Braithwaite.
life showed far more prosaic side. Mrs.
Gaskill's economical disposition became
particularly offensive to Steve. She in
quired closely into his business and did
not scruple to make unpleasant witty
remarks about his income. She rapidly
developed. too. an authoritative DISPOSE
ton, against which Steve daily more and
more rebelled. Tue young couple were
soon very unhappy.
The truth was that great transition
was taking place in Steve's mind. and
times of transition are ALWAYS times of