The Press., 1883-07-26

Which shall guide me unerrlngly through the
 dark way
 And fit and prepare me for mansions above.
 DOLLY'S ROMANCE.
 Father was senior partner in the firm of Bradford, Clifton, Palmer & Co.,, mill own CTS so when Fred graduated from college he was taken in to learn the business, for, though father was rich man he said each of his children must learn at least one thing so well that each could support him. self or herself in time of need. Lisa was an accomplished musician and Agnes was learning telegraphy. We were numer- ous family 50 there were still Dorothy Bob and Ned to decide on career. was Dol ly, and still in school but with no partic- ular genius unless it was for getting into mischief. Ned was 8 good boy, and man. ma used to say he should be professor of some of the dead languages :; for he was al- ways boring over Greek ora Latin gram mar. Once, had actually heard him ask if he might study Hindostanee
 We lived just outside the city, where the mill was built, and had beautiful old house where we had lived ever since was a little baby. The city was in a bend of the river, so that it was almost surrounded by water, Our garden at the back of the house ran down to the waters edge, and it was our delight to row up and down the river on moonlight nights. --- ~-
 The summer after I was seventeen (my birthday was in January), mamma, with Lisa and Agnes, had gone to the sea-shore for couple of months, leaving me at home with papa and the boys.
 felt very grand when was installed as l IL r the servants would have been quite equal to keep things in running order without my assistance I had only one visitor that day, Miss Clifton, the daughter of one of papa's partners. I didn't like her one bit, hateful as soon as she spoke to me- There was an understanding that at the end of another year Fred should be admitted to the firm, and she should formally be en- gagged to him. So you see was not like ly to have much of his company at home, for he spent nearly every evening at her house, or in company with her elsewhere
 
 One morning papa does not take break fast with us,-he went down to the office before any of us were up: and Fred hur- ries off after only cup of coffee. I know he and papa were very much worried about something, but as he goes out he says:
 "I think father will take vacation after to-day is over." And that treasures me- have two letters from Lisa that have been mailed but few hours apart. In the first she says that Agnes has been taken i'll, so they will be detained some time longer than they expected. In the second, Agnes IS much worse, and there is list of things that Jane is to bring at once. Imust hur- ry Jane of, so Bob and are very busy getting the articles together, while Jane prepares herself for the journey. She is just out of sight when carriage is driven up to the door, and Fred jumps out and runs up the steps. -. t... .s.
 Father has been taken sick" he says quickly. "Have his bed prepared at once, for they are bringing him in."
 am too frightened to speak or to do anything but obey him they carry my father upstairs, gently, and I hear him breathing loudly. Then the doctor comes, and the door is shut I sit on the stairs crying miserably for the trouble that has come upon us. After long while Fred comes down, and, leading me into the din- ing room, takes me on his knee, and wipes my tears away. In broken sentences he UCAAo AAC UAAC SVOAJ OA U4O OOWA4ttu O1 Gu0 great firm of Bradford, Clifton, Palmer & Go. understand it but vaguely they were largely indebted for raw material large notes were due that day, and cer- tain payment to be made at 9 o'clock would have saved them. But in the morn ing papers was announced the failure of that firm, so there was now no help for them. The notice had been too much for. my fathers already overtaxed brain, and he had had stroke of paralysis.
 Cant see him, Fred ?' I asked, soft ly but Fred shook his head, and said no one could go in now. The doctor would send nurse, and all I could do was to keep the house quiet, and tell Ned. Then he sent me away while he wrote to man. ma. .-.f ..sf E
 When the business was finally settled, there remained to us few hundred dol lars and some furniture, which we retain ed to furnish smaller house. Mamma insisted upon giving up everything to the creditors that was worth selling.
 She took father, whose bodily health was, In measure restored, to the sea- shore, that he might be out of the confu- sion of the sale. I s*&
 When that took place, Bob and I had gone to the new house, some distance up the river, in vague hope that we might find something to dc, but ws felt so help less and ignorant we didn't know where to begin. It was white wooden house, and Isuppose was pretty in summer, but now the vine clambering over the porch was leafess every window downstairs was broken the gate off the hinges and half a-dozen palings gone from the fence. ~ >
 We soon got settled in our new home. Fred was away all day, and we were left to our own devices. Mamma came home bringing papa and the girls, and we all fell into regular habits as if we had al- ways lived there. One evening we had 8 discussion of ways and means.
 tHow much money have we left, Fred ?' asked mamma saEk
 ''Just one hundred dollars" he answer ed 1; "but we have no small debts, and our rent is paid for three months. I had an offer to-day of position as book-keeper, but the salary is not very large,. It will provide just the barest necessities for us :; r don't R7ouy how xu;1I ,,oopo~o 4o rsox