Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1888-10-24

pleasure In IL that every one docs In ar
ranging every room to his or her
needs. ttf
Some Of the rooms, OF course, looked
toward tho river, but the dining-room,
situated In q wing or ~ Of the house,
had a front window with fine view OF
the village and the big church.
The house was finally completed, and
the grounds gradually, under my d.
rection, assumed the proper shape,
and looked all the more pleasing from
their having been rather rough by
nature.
The ascent, which had been quite
steep, was reduced TO a number OF
gentle terraces between which the road
wound gracefully. We were happy in
our new home, and every little i'm.
provement about the place was a
pleasure though 1t did cost money and
labor. But after few months we
learned that our place was appreciated
by others as well as by ourselves.
One day stranger called and inquired
for me. After speaking OF the weather
and tho pleasant view, he said he'd
''like to look around the place II l had
no objections. was perfectly will
ing and accompanied him. His APP
pearance was not prepossessing; his
dress was rather shabby and his eyes
were everywhere except on my face;
but in spite OF their watchfulness, he
had come near walking too close to the
kennel In which Bone" gigantic
and much-admired English mastiff,
spent his days, fastened by stout
chain. The dog seemed to dislike his
looks even more than l, and could hard
ly be appeased.
Finally, in an embarrassed sort OF
wayne had evidently been trying to
work up to the subject gracefully, but
failed - my caller said he'd "heard
that my place was for sale.
assured him that was mistake,
whereupon he said that he'd thought
likely; but he took u sort OF notion to
the place and thought il it could be
bought reasonable he'd like to own 1t. )"
My vanity, OF course, was touched at
having my choice approved, while at
the same time vision OF the profits Of
building and selling arose before me.
/ said would sell i'll got sufficient
price, and At his request named a good,
round sum. He shrugged his Shout
ders and said he couldn't pay any such
money, but he thought he wouldn't
mind giving a certain sum, which he
named, and which was about half what
the house had cost me.
told him abruptly that didn't care
TO sell, and endeavored to close the
conversation by moving toward the
house.
III you should ever change your
mind you'll remember me, perhaps"
said he, and handed me an old envelop
with his name on it.
l babe him "Good-day," and was
about throwing the envelop away when
the name struck me as familiar.
"Ephraim Jorton;" for moment /
couldn't recall where had seen 1t, but
soon remembered that it was the name
OF the grantor in that old deed, and
that had deciphcred the family name
on some OF the moss-grown headstones
in the graveyard.
In vain ! tried 10 convince myself
that il was only coincidence; that
my Jorton family must be scattered
and dead; had TO give myself up to
detection.
1t Is thus that the clouds OF trouble
roll over our heads. We no sooner re-
cover from one shadow and begin TO
bask in the sunshine Of happiness than
another takes il place. That night,
as the church clock doomed out an
hour when i ought to have been asleep,
ii seemed to sound only refrain to
the words: ITO them and their heirs
forever"
As some victim of involuntary vigils
has quoted IL: Sorrow endureth for
a JOY, but night cometh in the MORN
ing"
So the next morning arose, deter
mined to drop the whole subject from
my mind, and succeeded in so far
that never mentioned the graveyard
nor even looked that way, IL i could
help it.
had told Maria Of the stranger 6
foolish errand, but had said nothing
about the similarity Of names, for
reasons already limited at. There is
enough actual trouble in the world for
every one without giving them &C.
casion TO borrow what really doesn't
exist.
Months went by, happy months for
us. Every thing houris he'd about the
place; the garden, the young trees
and vines that j had planted, all grew
as plants never grew before on new
place.
One bright Sunday in November, as
we were sitting at lunch, Maria was
remarking pensively on the many
blessings we were enjoying, and (she
Is of rather devout turn of mind)
was saying that we had good reason
for keeping Thanksgiving Day this
year il never before.
From where she sat she could look
out OF that lovely window toward the
village and the church, and at this
point she called my attention TO q
peculiar group In the street. They
had stopped in front Of the adjoining
lot, a vacant lot owned by Mr.. Var
Grinder, and seemed hesitating for q
moment what to do.
There was very ordinary, raw
boned team OF horses attached to 9
heavy farm wagon, empty or nearly
so. On the drivers seat was good
natured looking Irishman, and beside
him was quite an old man, whom / re
member TO have seen hanging about
the saloons; one of those blear-eyei
old reprobates who make us resigned
to (but incredulous oD the deadly
effects Of drink.
Behind the wagon walked youn{