Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-01-01

to some place that the witches knew all
about as well as himself; opening of bars
and helping over fences-his native kind
ness and courtesy toward all women pre-
vented his avoidance of these small traps
laid to catch his attention, though he
smiled over them sometimes when Ralpb
spoke of them.
Between Mr.. Wittenmire (the mill pro-
prietor) and his overseer there existed cor
dial esteem and confidence which had been
greatly increased by late conference.-the
rescue by Glendinning of the child of n
friend. restless little fellow. who had fallen
into the mill stream. Mrs Wittenmire and
her sister were much inclined to pct the
young overseer, but his firm and self
respectful keeping in his place. nre-
vented their advances But the young lady
was not discouraged Something true and
genuine remained with her outliying n
fashionable education and some " society,"
seasons. She was able to divide the true
man from his humble surroundings. and
proceeded to worship him with an earnest
ness that first amused and then alarmed
her sister
Like a good wife, Mrs Wittenmire took
her husband into her confidence. He is
not only gentlemanly, but distinguished in
appearance" she added; and, dear John.
you could am certain you could-giye
him some office, or take him as partner.
or something you know, which would nor
be like taking a laborer into the family.
Millicent would be satisfied with any
thing"
John Wittenmire WINGED at this arrange
ment. TO exchange faithful. efficient
overseer for partner without capital did
not recommend itself to his practical iudg
ment Yet if Glendinning were attached
to him by new tie he would have perma-
nently the benefit of his faithfulness and
sagacity. After little more urging on mis-
wite's part, he promised to have an inter
view with the young man and see what
could be done
The next afternoon saw Archer Glendin
ming come out from the mill boarding
house and passing the mill itself walk
toward the residence of the owner
summons to the private Office of his chief
had never occurred before, and he felt
sensation of wonder Was anything going
wrong?
Mr.: Wittenmire was alone. He motioned
his visitor TO a seat opposite. Both men
looked at each other, and it was the elder
the man of the worldwide was embar
raised under the clear, questioning gaze Of
the younger. Anything but the truth
seemed impossible before those clear ewes.
John Wittenmire hesitated and blum
dered. and was angry with himself for his
clumsiness. But somehow, in a verv short
space of time, his companion comprehend
ed the honor intended for him, with all
that was included in it. He sat erect and
silent, looking before him with wide-open
eyes, as if he saw a vision. The mill
owner had not expected any great demon
stration from the man before him but his
silence was surprise. In another moment
GlendinnIng turned with start
" beg your pardon. sir. / was think
ing"
Certainly" said Mr.. Wittenmire, there
is much to be thought of"
1T cannot be-" said Glendenning.
simply. :" / have weighed myself, and
am wanting"
We know you well, and trust you"
said the other encouragingly. You will
not disappoint u.s.
II was an ambitious man once" broke
in Glendinning. THE world seemed lust
made for me. by ambition is gone, and
my affections are buried with it, l did not
KNOW never thought-about it, but am
certain now"
But there are business and social
aspects which perhaps you do not fully I'M
derstand.n
do understand that wealth and honors
are on one hand, and on the other clean
conscience. As a man of the people per-
haps | hold the question of wealth lightly.
y
that l could ever be anything but your
faithful overseer."
But, surely said Mr.. Wittenmire,
beginning, after the custom of the human
heart, to value more highly what seems to
Be slipping away from its grasp
Glendlnning rose and shook his broad
shoulders IN way that Nelly's mother
knew well. She had seen it when wear
iei with winter evening arguments on
election and fraa Will IL.
ing the whole matter aside, as if il were a
physical burden. He bowed gravely,
standing at the open door, with look that
asked II the interview was ended He was
dismissed with wave of the hand, in
silence, and with great relief was again in
the fresh air and sunshine
Well, have you nothing to tell me?'
qleried Mrs. Wittenmire of her husband
when they were alone that evening.
Nothing" said Mr. Wittenmire. 1.-The
man is without ambition. Millicent must
wait"
And Millicent did wait, and not with
out hope
II did not think it was in me- said
Glendinning to Ralph the same evening. as
he related the story to him. 'The devil
himself could not tempt me to forswear
myself and to promise to any woman
what l could never feeln
LUZ gOd orc u DdCAt1OE. ne aUQeQ,
looking at Ralph with a newlv-awakened
interest. believe you understand"
When Hughie and me were lads"
said Ralph, " l led him in all things. 1t
was l who took the honors. NV poor
mother had great hopes of me.
But Hugh married the girl of his heart
a sweet, bright, spirited creature
our Rosies mother. l had my sweetheart,
too, but was shy, awkward fellow, that
tird M .le % Ill
she was to me. But l am certain she knew
1t we'll The summer that father died |
was always at home. Father could not
rest ii was out of his sight At last | was
free, and then | found that smug-faced
hypocrite had stolen my love away. The
blow was sair l had none of Hugh's
pride; my life was in my loye-my one
lamb that was stolen / rushed away to
the woods, to bear it alone among Gods
sllences. Days and nights came
and went, and | tramped, and
tramped. sat by the burns. and-cooled
my feyered head then on again q Cared
not whittier. The wives oft called me to
the doors, and gave me bread and milk,
and the little ones would run q WAYS
beside me. No one feared me. One
day, in lone pass of the hills. /
met man with band of sheep. helped
him bring them through, and he besought
my ~ hSSP ioI MN I'LL ne should
bring up load of provisions from the
Point. promised, and he left me. One
day, as | minded the yoes, on sunny slope.
who should / see coming out to me but
my brother. He looked fine and
grand in his black store clothes.
but he came straight to me, and drew his
arm around my poor, prodigal shoulders,
and said Brother, come home with me.
am sorely in need of thee | went with
him. 1t was dark when we got in. went
in and sat down by the ingle TO warm.
Soon came in Hughie, and he carried little
Rose and laid her, all sweet and smiling in
my arms; and he said Her mother left
me alone last week, and buried the little
baby with her; and there is only thee and
me, brother to bring up the child The
wickedness died out of my heart. and |
took up with my life, as God gave it to me.
was Hugh's right hand Money came to
him in plenty, and with it the power that
he loved. But the best of my life has been
with Rose, and (falteringly) with the chill
dren of Elinor Ramsey"
A new intelligence dawned in the bright
eyes OF the young man. He knew now
WHY Ralnh Mp(,raeror hoI 81