The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1881-04-09
JOHN ALpEN's FARM.

"You may laugh il you will, Susy,
but there is something in luck and
luck has always been against the AL
den's,' said John Alden, despondently
to his sister.
elbow, john" Susy turned her
round, bright face attcntivcly toward
him.
"Look at grandfather, George Al
den and his sons Why, their estate
was the richest on the Ohio shore.-
They lived like Irish kings, I've heard
people say, and excepting father they
all died penniless.
"Grandfathcr Alden, | am sorry to
say, was too fond Of horse-racing and
cards to keep money long; and his
sons, excepting father, all drank" said
Susy, dryly. "Living like Irish kings,
too, is not the most secure way Of keep
ing fortune"
"Well, now, look at me-" continued
John, with the scowl on his face unalter-
ed. T neither drink, nor gamble, nor
care for turf. I'm nineteen, and I've
tried honestly to do my duty in very
way.
"Well, John ?"
"Well"-snappishly-"see the diff
ference between me and George Har-
vey. At school, study as hard rs I
would he carried Off all the prizes. /
was the dull plodder, he the brilliant
scholar, the genius. When visitors
came, I heard him pointed out inva
riably as Harvey, sir. A most promis.
ing fellow. He'll make his mark in the
world Twas passed by without word.
When we go into society it is the same
thing. take the utmost pains to be
polite and attentive to the girls, and
Harvey laughs, aud quizzes and is pos.
itively rude to them. Yet he is 'splen-
did and fascinating and the incest
girls are proud to have him for part.
ner, while am endured on sufferance.
There is precisely the same difference
in business. In every way he is favored
by fortune and l am sighted"
al do not see that, John, said Susy,
gravely, George has snowy, dashing
manner which commands attention to
whatever he knows. But people soon
find out how little that is. Even the
girls in the long run"
al hate the long run I" cried John,
impatiently.
Susy was silent. She knew very well
that this outbreak was all owing to the
fact that Laura Faulke had shown some
attention to George Harvey the nigh,
before. ale always did care too much
for Laura Faulke's opinion since they
went to the primary school together, 81
thought Susy. Indignantly. "And a.
for business" she said aloud, al do moi
see that George has any advantage ovel
you in his position. You both have
been left farms, both are independent,
both have the means Of making a sure
though not large income.
"Now that shows just how little you
know about it. Harvey's farm numbers
just the amount Of acres that mine does
il is true. But his is on the south side
Of the creek, in rich alluvial soil mine
on the hillside, where northing will grow
but pine trees"
"Hollo! What's the matter, Jack p
said Squire Dali, riding up to the porch
al was grumbling about my patel
here, to tell the truth. 1t will yield
nothing absolutely nothing"
"Don't be too sure Of that, my boy,
Come out here bit."
They whispered for some time togcth'
er, and then John came in, his face
flushed and eyes glowing.
"Therc's great news, Susy Oil ha:
been discovered in the bottom, and 9
company from New York have sent or
inspectors to test the property on eithel
side Of the creek; among the rest, Har
vey's and mine. II there are any indi'
cations Of oil being there we can asl
our own price for the land"
go John, knew all would 60 well u
The little girls face was pretty and
sparkling, and her brother stopped and
kissed il heartily.
"The inspection is to be made to-
morrow, and then I'm made or lost for
life. II only luck is not against me |"
"God will be for you in any case,
John," said Susy gently.
But "luck" to John Alden which
came in visible good fortune Of dollar,
and cents, or even praise, was a mucf
more real thing than the unseen power
which hissister worshipped so faithfully
He rose the next morning with hag
gard face, which showed he had slept bu
little.
To-day" he said to Susy, ''it viii
be all settled. The inspector from New
York will be here by ten o'clock. II
an hour he can tell IL there is any oil OF