The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1884-05-08

their power, but unable to do much
One evening Richard Watts, clad in
garb that many beggar might have
rejected, returned to his poverty y-strick-
en- home OF two poor rooms, dark and
cramped, and sank into seat with a
long-drawn, weary sigh. In his hand
was crumpled newspaper, about
which his fingers were clutched as
with the desperation of drowning
man. His pale-faced wife came to his
side and kissed him.
"What is it, RichardP Let me share
your troubles"
He raised himself slowly and pain
fully, and gazed up into her face; and
she thought she had never seen him SO
sunken in utter despair.
Julia! o, if had in all the world
one influential friend, might lift my
self now. In this paper is an adver-
| tisement calling for propositions and
| plans and specifications for new ca
tbedral to be built. 1t is to be an i'm
mense structure, an ornament to tho
architecture of the realm. Do you re-
member the plans which L made for
the city of Gloucester, and which
were set aside?"
But my dear, you erected that
structure"
AYE, on another plan. The build
ing which 1 first projected was decided
to be far too expensive. 1 have those
old plans, with all the drafts and draw
ings of every kind, with every specif-
cation, so that the very last item re-
quired in the completion of the build
hn Of a CrIn
would have been noble structure!
And it is the very thing now wanted.
| venture to say there is not to-day in
England man who can present bet
ter or more perfect design. But, alas!
they will not listen to me-"
He paused for little time, and then
with burst of agony that was terrible,
he added:
Julia, l forgot how l was looking,
and Ventured into the chambers of
the chief of the commissioners, and
ventured to speak of plan which l
could show them. How they stared at
me! They thought me lunatic escap-
ed from some asylum, for heard one
of them whisper to that effect to his
nearest neighbor. just then the arch
bishop came in, venerable, kindly
faced patriarch, but l dared not speak
to him. hurried away, we'll nigh
broken-hearted. This is the end-I
will try no more
Dear Richard! oh, don't faint yet.
l will stand by you. Let us hope-hope
HOPEp'
1T is of no use-no use, my true
heart. All! thou art true, and thou
alone of all the world. What false,
what Il heartless world it isn'
Tut! tut! Don't say that, my good
man. There's an immense amount of
good in the world if you will only look
for ii.
1t was the voice of an intruder
man who had entered unbidden and
unannounced. Richard Watts arose to
his feet and gazed upon him; and an
exclamation of astonishment burst
from his lips as he recognized his
Grace, the Archbishop of Canterbury.
''You, my lord! You here?"
''Certainly-why not?" replied the
venerable prelate, with a smile that
seemed to light and warm the room.
And a wonderful impression came to
Dick Watts mind. He thought tho
countenance familiar the coun-
tenance OF an old time friend. He
gazed more intently, and presently his
heart gave q wondrous bound. The
archbishop nodded and smiled.
'.Do you know me?' he asked very
quietly.
"Ah!' the poor man gasped, ''if my
fancy is not playing me false, thou
vert once the poor curate of Brack-
ley"
Thou art right, friend Watts. l am
John Moore, once Northamptonshire
curate, so poor that he was forced to
live much upon charity; and now 1 am
the primate of England. A wondrous
leap of fortune, isn't it? And thou hast
gone the other way. But, tell me, true
heart, were there no investments made
in the happy days that can yield thee
return of interest now?"
''Alas!-not one, my lordr'
"How! Dost forget those treasures
laid up in heaven? Hast forgotten the
many deeds of kindness thou didst for
me? Come, come!-let US see if we
cannot find golden side to these dark
clouds. l tell, thee, those old-time
treasures were not laid up in vain.
And, tirst,-I wish to see the plan that
our commissioners refused to look at.
wish You to show it to me, and to ex-
plain"
And while Watts was getting his
plans. and the various papers belong-
mo to them, and arranging them, the
prelate told to the good wife the story
of his advancement to his present ey-
alted position. He had been made a
rector in Brackley; then he had been
made Bishop of Bangor; and ut length
the eroWnin@ honor OF the Archblsh-
opric of Canterbury had been bestowed
upon him. At times it seemed all
dream To him; but tho pressing. duties
OF the office gave him to realize its re-
ality; and he only hoped. and prayed
that he might prove worthy of the high
trust rcposed in him.
Mr.. Watts exhibited his artistically
prepared drafts, and plans, and speci-
1icatiops; the archbishop examined
them critically, and was delighted. He
took them away with him, promising
to report quickly.
julia" said the poor man, when
his grace had gone, ''what was it that
he gave you? l saw him put some
thing into your hand. "
This" answered the wife; and she
emptied upon the table, from silken
purse, large number of bright golden
guineas.
But this was not the last of the heav-
emily treasure. The archbishop came
on the very next day, and announced
to his old-time friend and helper that
his plans had been accepted. '''And, "
he added, 81 engage you to erect the
building. You will observe that L
have made a slight alteration in one OF
your estimates. l know not how it
may have been when you made these
drawings; but am very sure that, at
the present time, the work cannot be
done, and proper material furnished.
for the sum you have set down. So !
have presumed to add. on my own re-
sponsibility. ten thousand pounds.
"Of course. sir, you will. wish to get
out of this place, and also procure for
yourself other clothing. before you are
called into contact with our committee;
so, my dear friend, here is sum which
l give you in advance. We will make
it all right in the end" And he placed
in the architects hand roll of bank
notes. There were quite number OF
them, and the recipients eye caught
the figures upon an exposed corner of