The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1882-11-30

than she commanded It was not mere
ly economy, but saving pushed to ex-
iremity.
There was struggle constantly in
the mind of the young clerk-a strug-
Ple between his lose and his fear of re-
pentance if he urged his suit. 1t was
revolving to him 10 think of his vile
conducting his household upon parsimo-
Nous principles, refusing to bestow of
his abundance in charity, dressing mean
liz, and perhaps influencing him in tho
same miserable habits. And vet, one
hour with Ellen drove away all such
thoughts.
The low, soft voice. always tinged by
her habitual sadness, conveyed such
mirror OF pure, tender hear culti-
waited mind q noble soul. that Walter
forgot the course. mean dress, the many
Stories rife in the factory of Ellen S
stinginess. and knew he. loved her as he
had never before loved any woman.
But when the silver tankard was pre-
sented to Mr.. Rodman. and Ellen 3
name was not upon the list of con ribu-
/ tors 70 the gift, Walter experienced a
/ sharp pang of disappointment. He
knew that his fathers recommendation
had gained Ellen her first place in the
factory. that she had found affirm friend
in him, and owed her rapid advance
mont to his interest and influence. And
/ yet she had refused her mite to the gift
/ that testified the good feeling of her
I follow-workers in the factoryl
/ Father and son had long been con-
I tidential friends, and on the evening fol-
! lowing the presentation the latter
( opened his heart and told all his doubts
and fears. Mr.. Rodman listened quiet
ly.
''Yet you love Ellen" he said.
Il love her" replied Walter, "but
1 could never be happy with misery
wife"
Poor Ellen, how little she deserves
that reproachp' said Mr.. Rodman. II
shall violate a confidence repOsed in me,
Walter, when L tell you how you mis-
Judge her. but think can trust you.
Has she told you her secretP''
mo. / heard the story from the
clergyman of Lenwood, her native vii
lage, who wrote 10 me before she came
here He is an old friend of mine and
knew he could cOnfide in me. I will
tell you what he wrote to me. Six
years ago Ellen mother died, leaving
in her care sickly step-brother, then
eleven years old. Her own father had
left Ellen a pretty cottage. and she had
small income from the fruit and
poultry on the place, while she made a
sufficient living teaching music and
playing the Organ in the church.
When her mother died, leaving Stephen
Grady, her step-brother, an orphan and
penniless fOT her step-father before his
death squandered all her mothers little
fOrtune). Ellen promised to care for the
boy. Remember. she was but sixteen
herself, though early care had matured
[ baS. for bavOvad Iaags oafra1 xroor.
ssThe boy grew up like his father,
reckless of expenditure, loose in princi-
pie, yet tender to his sister-mother, and
one of those loving scapegraces who al
ways win some good WON ms devotion.
He won Ellen's. She thought herself
bound by her promise to her mother to
make every sacrifice for Stephen, and
she faithfully tried to lead him away
from the companions and evil influence
that were running his life. Three years
ago a friend of Mrs. Grady took Stephen
into his counting-house. Here he was
to learn the bookkeeping. and for 9
time he worked steadily. Then the bad
company which had ruined his boyhood
again exerted an evil influence, and he
had learned TO gamble. Remember
Walter, he was but fourteen, and Ellen
but five years older
One of his accomplishments was the
power of initiating handwriting, and by
the persuasion of some older heads he
forged check for two thousand dollars
on the firm he was with. The. check
passed the bank undeLected, for the
Cashier was in the habit of paying over
+ large sums to Grady. But when it was
returned to the firm the forgery was
discovered and traced to stephen
when the truth came out that he had
gambled away the entire amount, and
the two men who had urged the crime
and pocketed the money had fed, leav-
ing the lad to bear the consequences
He was arrested, and repentance came
when he saw the full consequence of his
acts.
/" It was then that Ellen proved her
self the noble woman believe her to be-
She was suffering already for her broth.
/ er's crime, having lost her place as or
! ganist. and most of her music pupil,
having left her. Despite all this, she
went to the firm and pleaded for the
lad. Her eloquencc gained him some
thing. They agreed not to prosecute
but to allow the boy to leave the town
and go to an uncle who was willing tx
. give him another trial in a Western city
: if-mark that if Walter-if Ellen woulc
pay the 50, 600 and interest within two
| years.
''She undertook the task. Stepher
7 was released and sent to his father
brother. where he is doing well, ant
Ellen left her home and came here
; hoping for higher wages than she coulC
{ earn in her own town. J. knowing all
advanced her interest in every way
4 Month after month, denying herself CIV
l erything but the merest necessaries o
, life, she has sent her earnings to wip
= of her brothers debt. With the rem
of the house and what she saves her
, she has paid it all, the last installmen
being acknowledged in a letter hand
, ed to her yesterday. You can under
2 stand why she could not take even
: few dollars to subscribe for a present T.
me when l tell you the two years ex
pired on the very day when the last hun
bred dollars was received. Now, Wal
ter, you know Ellen secret. Judge 70
yourself if she is miser."
% She is as noble and self-sacriicin
as my heart always told me she was, i
spite of appearancesr' said Walter
warmly. ITO morrow will see if sh
can ever return my love. p"
- Not tomorrow" said Mr.. Rodman
smiling. Ellen went home this after
T, noon, her task finished. Out of tn
|. sum | paid her for the last week of he
: toll here, she begged the acceptance Q
: the copy of Longfellow upon the tabl
: beside you, asking me to believe sh
was grateful for all my k ndness to her
/, Let her rest little from her long strait
8 of self-sacriice and toll, Walter; AM
: then, If you can win her love, wi
gladly give her a daughters place il