South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1889-08-16

Mrs. Murdoch sighed gently a. her
husband said these words. She per
ceaved that ho was thoroughly in earn
est. and that her rsmonstrALces we're
Of mo avail.
Mr.. Follett was . man Who. In the
country tovn where he lived, vas 90.
counted rich. He Wss Que Of the lead
iog tax paysrr, and therefore held
prominent petition. But in an evil
hour f.r his worldly prospe,it y be in
vested IN amount nearly equal to his
entire property In q Lake SuT erior
copper mine, by which be xpected TO
realize . handsome addition TO HE
fortune. But In the course Of four
months the bubble burst. and no;h-
ing Was saved from the wreck. The
news burst upon James Toilet like .
alap OF thunder Ia . clear sky. He
hsd 90 wrapped himse'f In dreams of
large wealth that the change to utter
ruin VAS overwhelming. When hs
appeared on the street after the tid.
inss. be seemed at least Ave years
older.
To Robert Murdoch. on the contra.
~, it broGgh. stern, vindictive joy.
He tad lived to see his enemy hum
b'ed. lie and Mr.. Eollett had been
about A. par SD far as worldly meuns
were concerned. But his property
remained intact, while the latter had
nothing lett.
Now he said, Il shall get the Wal.
siughaD lot back
'WiIl Mr. Follett be Obliged to
sell it p
Yes; and not that only, but all
that he possrsses.'
Poor mani pity him.
i DON'T said her husband, em.
phatically.
Tut consider what q blow It must
be TO him TO lose his entire fortune
AZ one stroke
Yes. he will feel bad enough; bu.
il serves him right for the mean trick
he played upon me-
1t was mean. grant; but now he
ia in trouble you can surely afford to
forget IT,
i shall never forget il. I intended.
Mary, to built Louso on q potion
of the lot. Now / can probably get
possession OF il and carry cut my orr.
gin.l design
Then. alter all, the evil will be re-
paired
Yes; but not because Follett is
willing. Probably the bitterest part
Of his disappointment will be the
thought that be can no longer thwart
me-
i think you misjudge him.
i don't believe do
So ended the conversation. Others
we're held in which Mrs. Murdoch ene
deavored, but in vain, TO modify the
bitterness of her husbands prejudice.
Meanwhile things went worse and
worse with poor Follett. His Oldest
child was taken sick with scarlet fe-
yer, and utter brief illness died.
When Robert Murdoch saw his
core. worn, and grief.stricken face,
then for the first time sentiment Of
pity stirred him. The change was so
great between Mr.. Follett, bright and
animated as he had been before his
misiortunes came upon him, and now,
that bis enemy must Certainly have
had hard heart no. to feel some
compassion for him. Then he, too.
beanie sick-a result rational enough
under the complication OF weeks, and
he emerged from it the ghost OF bis
former self.
His ruin was found to be complete.
Two hundred dollars alone remained
OF bis once handsome properly. He
must at once do something for his
support. Under the circum tsnces
some OF his friends thought OF trying
TO obtain for him The post of postmas.
ter. which wonld yield him an income
Of eight hundred dollars a year. But
there was one difficulty in the way.
Robert Murdock's influences was great
ard being intimately acquainted with
the member Of Congress for the dis
trict, could probably defeat the plan.
James Folieti said this in q despond-
ing tone WHEN the plan was preached
TO himself.
1T won't do he said MUIR dock
will oppose IT.
But Robert Murdoch vns restored
TO his better self. He quietly wrote
note TO bis friend. the member oil
Congress, urging Folletvs claims
This was sufficient. A fortnight la
ter Follett received intelligence OF bis
appointment from the member him
self, accompanied by the animation
that he bad acted upon The recon-.
mends'ion OF Robert Mardock.
Mr.. FOllett read this communica-
ton. IL was the first intimation he
bad bad Of the change in his enemy's
feelings and produced wonderful eff.
feet upon hlm. II made him, more
over, utterly ashamed Of his former
Get Of meauness
Acting on the impulse or the mo-
ment he seized his hat and hurried
toward Robert Murdock's bouse, which
for years be had not entered. The
servant received him With a look Of
surptise, and ushered him into the
sitting Toom. Robert Murdo ck en-
tered five minutes later.
'Murdock.' be said, with emotion,
Il have come To thank You for your
noble kindness to one who has so lit