The Northern Pacific farmer., 1883-08-30

erty for sale and though people were
pained to see him leaving them. yet they
gladly bid for his valuable estate.
When all his business had been set
tied, and the balance sheet brought to
him by his private secretary for inslec::
ton, he was truly surprised. Attirst
he could not believe it. He had known
that his property was extensive and val
uehle: and chad known also that his
bank account was large, seeing that he
himself; but when he looked at the
sum total of all-saw it running away in
to the mililons-when he was assured
that he read Alright and that the figures
did not lie, he was astonished.
Government bombs had then come in
to the market, and had already reached
a premium. His first movement on
reaching San Francisco, was to lock
three million dollars safely up in regis
tered bonds. The money was deposited
with the sub-treasurer there, with or
ders that the bonds should be sent to
his address at New York. After paying
for the bonds he had left between one
and two hundred thousand dollars in
gold, of which he reserved sufficient to
pay his expenses on the road, placing
the rest in banks, and taking draft on
New York, in exchange, which draft for
security's sake, he gave into the hands
OF a reliable express company. And it
was we'll he did 80, for between the
Great Salt Lake and Cheyenne, his pock-
ets twere: picked of every dollar he had
with him.
Arriving in New York, Robert first
looked after his bonds and his draft.
The bonds we're safe and awaiting his
call. while the draft arrived ON the every
day of his own arrival, having come ON
the same train.
And now for his visit to Belmont. If
be could not find d loving heart there,
then he-knew notlwhere to look. But
if he was to find true love it must not be
known that he was wealthy No, the
love his heart yearned for was pure,
loyal love for poor Bobby Ashworth,
just as he was when he set forth to seek
his fortune. So he went TO a clothing
store where second hand garments were
sold, and purchased full suit as sadly
able IN, clad in which he set forth on
his trial trip.
Arrived at Belmont-ahd the steam.
tQwn-he found the place wonderfully
grown. Where he had left green fields
and tangled hedges, were now broad
streets. hanked with stores and dwell
ings. In short, the place had grown to
full six times it's size fye-and- thirty
years before. At the smallest and poor
est public house he stopped and ordered
supper; and, while it was being pre-
pared, he asked after the Speeds. Did
any one present know them? Yes, a
man was sitting there, in the barroom,
who had formerly worked for them.
said he:
swell, stranger, it would be very dit
ficult to tell you just how they stand. If
you could take 'em for what they think
of themselves, they'd be two ofthe big
gest men in creation: That's Nathan and
Thomas. Aboht score of years ago they
got to playin' the big-bug entirely. They
let out the mills; and went to liVin' on
the interest of their money; and it's my
opinion 'at they've come to dipnin' pref
| ty deep into their principal Howsom-
ever they're proud enough"
"And Peter speed-what has become
Of him?" =
20, he is here-the same poor, hard
workin' uncomfort'nit man he always
was He did one spell, drink a lettle too
much; but he finally married a woman
that made saved man of him."
but didn't his father leave nlm any
thing?"
"Not outright. The old man, somehow,
got set against the boy-thought.he was
wild and frolicsome, and unsafe to be
trusted with money; 80 he left him in
the care of his two older brothers."
Y~1l P0ho hot
have they done for him?'
"Really, stranger, don't like to say
ANYTHING against them two men: but if
the truth was told I think it would come
out at they meant, from the first, to
have the whole property in their own
hands. For time they refused to let
the r.oor fellow have money on the
plea that he would drink it all up; and
then, when he fell in love With Kitty
Moore, they told him il he married her
they would cast him off forever. You
see, Kitty, bless her sweet face! aye and
pless her noble heart, too? Kitty was q
poor girl-an orphan-workin' in one of
the mills; and the big-feelin' men
thought it would be stain on them if
their brother should marry her, How=
sumever, Peter took his own way. He
married the dear girl, and he's the
father of five as pretty children as you
ever set eyes on, and as happy as can
be, not-with-standin' he has to dig
pretty hard to keep the wolf from the
It was Just in the edge of the evening
"a chill autmnal evening-that the
door-bell was rung at the aristocratic
residence of the Hon. Nathan Speed.
and shortly afterwards a servant an
nounced that a man wished to speak
with the master.
of four-and-tifty, red-faced and obese;
dressed in satin house-robe; pride
stamped in every feature. His wife sit
tiog near by, was the same. Her face
betrayed the use of the wine cup, while
the sparkle of many diamonds told
where much of her husbands money
had gone.
What sight for the proud man to
meet in his own front hall! A stout
broad-shouldered man; brown-visaged
and full bearded: habited in poverty:
strickened garb, and evidently very
poor.
"Nathan! don't you know me? your
cousin Robert? All, I've had hard luck
on the road Beyond Cheyenne l was
robbed Of every dollar had with me,
and
Hold on!' The proud man raised his
hand. He wanted to hear no more. He
knew of no claims which his cousin could
have on him. And further: "You prom
'sed your uncle you would never again
apply for helps"
"Have I asked for help2"
'fo; but it was coming"
mo, Nathan; yon mistake. only
ask friend"
"Then you'd better 10 and hunt UP
your cousin Peter. He would make
boon companion for you, I doubt not"
Robert got away az quick as possible,
resolved next to call upon his cousin
Thomas.
He found Thomas at home, and clear
ly under the influence of wine-not in
toxicated, but his blood unduly heated
thereby. And Thomas was even more
harsh and unkind than Nathan had
been and he, too, tauntingly advised
the poor wanderer to go and seek his
cousin Peter. as one who would be tit
ting companion for him.
And to Peter Speeds poor cottage
Robert made his way: And not even
poor roof to cover his head had the
wealthy brothers given to their half
brother. The cottage, really belonging
to Nathan, was hired of an agent; and
more than once the poor man had come
very near being turned out for non-pay-
ment of rent.
"What" cried Peter, when the way
farer had made himself known. "Is it
BODY? Don't deceive me. Come in