The San Antonio light. (San Antonio, Tex.) 1883-1886, 1885-05-06
LOVE CONQUERS.
NJ THE AUTHOR or "poRA THoRNg,"
ga ROSE IN THoRNs," ETC.


| that the time must come when brain and
hand would both tire. lie worked entire
ly for love Of his work. lie had no wife
TO share his honors aud riches, no children
70 inherit them, and he was quite alone IN
the world. When friends asked him why
he worked so hard, having neither wife
nor child, kith nor kin, his answer was al
ways
"For the love Of IT,"
He had amasscd large fortune, and had
purchased a magnificent estate called Lul-
worth, near the pretty town Of Tor Boa-
con, In Surrey. lie had successfully con-
Quoted a great engineering feat, having
| built a bridge over one of the swIftest riy-
ers and brOadost streams IN England. II
had been gigantic undertaking, on
which the eyes of scientific men had been
fixed with eager attention, for the river
doeponcd and broadcncd until It was
neither more nor less than the arm Of the
sea, with strong tide ebbing aud flowing;
and the bridge had to be built where the
stream was widest. Sccptics had refused
to believe II was possible; but Sir Hayc
smiled and said there was no feat 80 dnl-
cult but that time aud patience could ae-
| complish IL.
What obstacles he mctwltl, what dini-
cultles he Overcamc, what remarkable tai
ent he displayed, what energy and re-
source, were topics, that were discussed
almost daily.
A royal parsonage went to open the
bridge, and commended 1t as one Of the
greatest works Of the age. The Queen
knighted the engineer and spoke words of
praise that almost brought tears to his
eyes; and the world Of science and art
aud fashion did homage TO him.
And now life seemed suddenly 10 coli
lapse; his brain was tired, aud he could
not work. The world seemed all at once
to have grown empty; and he sat with
aching head aud with slow y-bcutlng heart,
wondering what had come over him, what
was the matter, and why life had changed
and gone wrong. Grhye-iaced doctors
came to him and told him that he must
rest. He smiled as lie heard the word
II he went to LUiworth Hall, the prncely
Residence which he had purchased, there
would be no rest. People would come to
see him; he would be compelled to enter
tain and visit; and he did not feel equal
to either.
"If were in your place, Sir Raye,"
said the first doctor-one Of the most skill.
full professional men in London--"I should
leave all care behind me, and go to some
quiet farmhouse, far IN the heart of the
country, and really rest from everything.
Spend your time IN the fields, and listen
to nothing save the songs of birds"
Sir Kaye paw reason Ia the advice, aud
complied with IL. Fate led him to the
pretty country town Of HOLLYWOOD, In Kent,
and he found lodgings In small neat
farmhouse near there, Every care was
LETT behind, and lac gave himself up to the
full enjoyment of II sleepy country life,
which was 50 unlike the other life he had
led.
Meadow Farm was ali old-fashioned
house, built Of gray stone, and covered
with trailing roses, II large white jcssa-
mine almost hiding the porch from view.
The farm looked most picturesque, with
Its rich mcad0w-land, its green foliage, its
clear pools where the cattle drank, its corn
fields and stacks of hay.
On lovely June day Sir Raye Wharf
stood at the white gate that gave access to
the meadows, lost In admiration, his heart
warmer than 1t had been since lie kuolt ut
his mothers knee; for there was some
thing In the blue sky, in tue sweet fresh
breath of the wind, in the joyous song OF
the birds, in the OdOrs that arose from the
leaves and flowers, that sent his thoughts
to Heaven, and left him like simple child
before the great open heart of Nature.
Behind him was the pretty farm, and
before him was field after field, until the
green grass resemblcd great green sea.
In the midst of the yerdant expanso golden
buttercups and white daisies gleamed,-
He had forgotten his busy lie, with its
cares and troubles, and his heart was at
peace under the smile Of the summer
heavens. A lark rose suddenly and scared
higher and higher In the air until lost to
aft,ht 1aoufutr "a a. nF hpltnH N .
on the blackthorn near him the thrush he
gan its sweet musicj rabbits peopcd from
the green banks, and u group Of ru- y-faced
children crossed the meadow, laden with
flowers. lie watched them all with tho
eye Of an artist. Then he saw herd OF
cattle going to one of the clear bright pools
to drink, aud he slowly followed them
The pool at the end Of the meadow was
called the Meadow Pond; and there he
saw something that interested him far
more than the cows.
A fair-haired boy, with sweet thought
full face, was trying TO launch little toy
steamer, and make it keep steady in the
water. A meIaory of the deep rushing
river, the strong tides, and the fierce
winds that did their best to destroy his
bridge came over him as lie watched the
boy. The steamer would not keep steady.
1t leaned first OH one side, then on the
other; and the boy with infinite patience,
took 1t from the water, time after time,
but could not remedy tho defect.
The man understood the patient strug-
gle with difficulties, and he went to
where the boy knelt among the long lush
grass.
"Did youmake the little boat YOURSELF"
he asked.
fIInp hnytg fnaa ..nlnraI az ha al
"Yes"
'Let me look ut it," said Sir Raye.
The wet boat was placed In his hand.
"Suppose we see where the defect lies.
What is your nancy"
"vanc Fraser" answered the boy, start
ing as though, in his interest concerning
the boat, he had forgotten his own iden-
tity.
"yaue Fraser! Then you live ut the
farm where lodgey"
"les," was the brief answer.
al will show you, Nano Fraser, where
you have erred in making your boat"
Ser Kaye knet in the grass by the boys
side and explained clearly aud briefly the
cause OF the defect.
ado you understand" he asked after
time, and the boys face frightened us he
replied
eyes l have made dozens of boats"
he added, "and none Of them were right,
Now | shall never have another failure"
"You seem sure OF succ,ss" laughed
Sir Raye.
"Yes--becauso know now how to make
Them" answered Vane Fraser; "and,
when know how to make anything sue
coed, could not let IL fail"
This spirited answer delighted Sir Raye.
lie looked more intently NJ the eager hand
some face.