Sacramento daily record-union., 1883-11-03
HUNTING A VOCATION.

X
only been sensible enough to know it but
we were simple, and sold our goodly inner.
itance for something less than a mess oi
pottage.
At the time of our marriage l lived in an
old-fashioned farm house with my grand.
father. My parents were both dead, and
from my baby hood he had made great pet
of me, and intended me for his heir-so
rumor had it. This made me quite belle
in our quiet little village, and won me
scores of suitors but did not care fig
for one of them. Charlie and / crossed
each other in rather a romantic fashion,
and fell in love at first sight-and strange
to say we kept in love.
We were betrothed in less than month
after our first meeting, with the hearty
good wishes and congratulations OF all our
friends, who, being cognizant of the little
romance that brought US together, took an
unwonted interest in our well being. 1t
was quite q commonplace adventure. My
mad pony, Moonshine, took it into her silly
head to run off one afternoon, and came
within hair's breath of precipitating me
over the bridge and into the river. Charlie,
brought to the spot by one of those special
Proyldences in which / 80 confidently be.
lieye, saved me in my moment of peril, at
the expense of his right arm, however,
which was terribly shattered. Of course
l could not help loving him after that
and when ne asked me to be his wife l did
not say him nay; and neither did my
grandfather, though he was only farmers
lad, with no fortune but his honest face
and manly arm.
"The boy has deal of impudence." he
said "hut have it your own way-Pve
nothing TO say"
We took him at his word and appointed
an early day for the wedding, which was
quite a stylish affair in its way-our old
country mansion threw open its ponderous
doors, and everybody far and near was in
vited. Grandfather gave me a splendid
outfit and a bounteous wedding feast,
When all was over, and we were preparing
to start on our bridal trip, he came to ouI
chamber.
"Here, little girl, he said putting an
old-fashioned casket in my hand, "these
ale for you-they belonged to your grand.
mother; never sell them unless it is for
bread.
As I unclasped the casket screamed
with delight All my lifelong coveted
those diamonds and here they were, large,
lustrous, every single one worth a small
fortune, and all my own. Grandfather
smiled at my delight, and taking sealed
package from his pocket he handed 1t tO
Charlie.
This ls for you, young man, he con-
tinued " l trust you'll know what to do
with it.
Upon breaking the seal we found a deed
r. I'll Nka eorV svao
the one on which nay grandfather lived 4;
but it had this proviso we were to re-
side upon and cultivate the farm removal
forfeited our right of possession. 1t was q
charming place, well stocked, and under
fine cultivation, with snug little farm.
house all furnished to our hand. After our
wedding. trip Charlie and l went up and
took possession, feeling very rich and very
happy, as, | suppose, newly married folks
always DO For two or three months eY-
erything went on bravely. Charlie set to
work in good earnest he got in a good
crop, and began to make preparations for
cutting and hauling timber. Grandfather
looked in every day or two, but said moth
ing. He meant for US to manage our own
affairs he said-and we did.
Just about hsying time Charlie aud l
took fancy to 90 to Niagara. OF course
we went, and the consequence was the loss
of the whole crop; the proper season
missed, a long rain came on, and all the
sweet.scented fields were spoiled. Then
the rust took the wheat and the corn was
very poor for want OF good tillage; so that
the end of the year found US in rather a
meager condition.
The farms doing badly, grandfather, "
said Charlie. 4" think we shall have to
cast about for something else"
The old man laughed and shook his head.
GA rolling stone gathers no moss, he
replied. "The farms well enough Charlie
the fault lies with you"
Charles fine gray eyes flashed with in
digusut resentment.
As If l were not doing my best, and
sacrificing all my prospects in the bargain,
he said and JUST to please him Fact
is, B9lle, I don't think EARNINGS my voca
toni think I've missed my calling
$50 do l, Charlie, 1 chimed in eagerly
fred and excited by the sudden hope tina
my girlish dream of having famous hus
band might yet prove reality; "I really
believe you have capacities for something
better. Suppose you try !"
Charlie looked meditative and serious.
Earnings very common, he remarked
at last; sit never raises one to any emf
uence."
That's so, Charlie"
"'Tis nothing but dreary repetition o
digging and delving sowing and reaping
eating and sleeping. l had hoped for some
thing better than this"
Charles air and manner OF speskin
were impressive in the extreme. a half
formed idea of the stage flashed thrOug
my mind as l looked at him.
you can do something better, sal
-"you must.
"There are no opportunities here.
L" Bat elsewhere %
He flushed and hesitated. At last "W
must give up Walnut Hill, d" ne said.
"Give it up, then, | responded bravely
though the bare thought brought tears
nv ewes; "better that than stay here an
bury your talents.
Once started, the matter was hourly di:
cussed and finally we decided to go.
Where p questioned grandfather, whe
we broke the matter to him.
d" To the city.
"To the city. Aud you farmers lac
Well, well-what are you after, boy g
" My VOCATION, rePIeu Charne WIZ
lofty dignity. The old man laughed an
shrugged his shoulders.
Give me back my deed, then, he sale
Hunting a vocation, hey? I'm Afrai
you Il not find it, Charlie"
We Thought him an old curmudgeon, su
went on with our preparations. 1t vs.
nidspring- time when we set out; and tt
dreariest, saddest day that ever dawne
sud set was the day we bid farewell
Walnut Hill a disT al rain fringed 4
the trees about our homestead; drip, dri!
it fell from the caves, from every bough an
shrub. as if weeping at our departure. III
very chickens in the barn-yard futsere
abont US with noisy demonstrations an
the COWS looked after US with sober, wis
ful eyes. We had lived so happily at Wa
nut bill, it was terrible trial to tear oul
selves away, / could see regret IN Charlie
eyes; and when upon starting our ol
J E-VI..--al 4 20 fba AZ