Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-06-02

ever. and SO he continued to 60 back and
forth. doing odd Jobs for the people. until
at length, 10 and behold, it leaked out
that Abraham Cole had come to life. and
was living hard by. old and poor, and only
too glad to do such chores as the commu-
nitv was willing to trust to his feeble
hands.
How long it took his nephews to hear
the news, cannot say. but do know that
the manufacturer was the first one OF
them to hunt the old man up, and sup.
pose he did it as soon as he had any good
reason to believe his uncle was alive and
in the land. At any rate he came briskly
down the street one day to where the re-
turned merchant was busily engaged saw
ing a pile of wood, and after Identifying
him, urged him to go to his house, and
he would find home for the remainder
of his days.
"And if you desire to work. uncle. said
he, for | know you was always indus
trious. will give you light and steady
employment in my factory, where you can
earn wages such as have to
paw to other men. 1t is not charity
that am offering you, because. ifyou are
not there in my shop, some other man
must be there IN your place; and. l am
sure, as you need work. and much more
need a home, would dishonor the memo
~ of my poor mother if 1 did not offer
these to you"
This sort of talk was plain and sensible,
and it struck the returned merchant with
considerable force, but il was no part of
his plan to do any such thing as had been
proposed to him. Besides, Robert,-that
was the manufacturers first name,-might
be ashamed to have him working in the
streets, and make all that offer with any
other than the right motive. He could
hardly think, however, from his nephew's
candid manner, that there was any decep-
ton about him, but he refused to 60 with
him OF course, and the manufacturer went
away comforted only with the promise
that the old man would send for him in
case he was sick.
As regards his other relatives the bach
elor uncle got no positive recognition from
them save and except in so far as happen
ed one evening when by chance he went
into the store owned in part by the dry
goods nephew. No one else happening
to be in, this person questioned him about
his voyage. and seemed in silent way to
own relationship, and that was all. The
professional man however, carried his
head higher than peacock, and never so
much as noticed Cole in any way. shape,
or form. although he passed him repeat
edly upon the street.
But the manufacturer continued friend
ly. and as he could not prevail upon his
uncle to 90 to his home, he often spent
hours at time. standing in the street,
talking to him of things past and gone
And when Cole would wind up his dis
course, as he generally did. with an ex-
preston of joy because he had been able
to get back with his life, Robert would add
that it was comfort. Still it was hard
to lose his ship and all his goods, but
many man Jared worse than that.
BY fall. the bachelor uncle had pretty
well made up his mind as to who would
have, at some future dav, the pocketing
of the revenues to be derived from his
Boston property. But he desired now to
find out which of the boys had the best
head for business. He knew that the
knack of accommodating generally went
with sensible man. and that with a SEN
sble man was always found warm and
cheerful heart. Still. if he could see with
his own eyes, he could believe,
with better grace, and to this end he
went home, and after staying for some
days about his cabin, so as to be missed
from the town, he dispatched letter by
means of "a neighbours boy, who dropped
it into the post-office for the professional
nephew, stating that he desired him come
to his house.
To hr