Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1889-03-07
For how muchp"
"Fiye hundred doNars.n


at must be worth three times that"
"Richly. I'll tell you what l pro-
pose to do Lend him two hundred
dollars on a second mortgage, ard,
when the amount becomes due, force u
sale of the place"
''And you will bid in it YOURSELF"
Precisely. | shouldn't wonder il l
could get it for eleven hundred dol
lars. There will probably be no one
else to bid. His uncle might, but he
has lost confidence in him. When l
get it, shall put my son John into tho
house. lie Is TO marry this fall"
All this William Sprague heard as
he lay on the grass by the roadside.
The night was SO dark that he was not
seen by the parties who were convers-
ing. 1t produced a strong revulsion
of feeling in him. 1t showed him just
how rapidly he was travelling on the
road to ruin, and reused his hearty in
dignation at the man who could so
coolly consign him and his family to
restitution, and scheme TO deprive them
of their home.
$50, I'm miserable fellow, am ~"
he repeated TO himself. 81 begin to
think | am, and that have been con-
founded fool for the last two years.
But it isn't too late yet to reform. That
man will have to wait little longer
before he gets hold Of my place. God
helping me, have tasted my last
draught of liquor.
William Spraguo staggered to his
feet and went thOughtfully home. He
said nothing Of his new resolution to
his wife. He resolved to wait little
first. Immediately after breakfast, he
went over to the house OF his uncle,
The latter was surprised to see him,
and received him little coolly.
Uncle Thomas" said he, "you don't
appear very glad TO see me, and l am
not surprised. have been playing the
fool for two years past. | have resell
we'd to turn over u new leaf"
Are YOU in earnest?" exclaimed his
uncle, with look haH of hope, half of
distrust,
TO prove to you that am, let me
tell you what il is that has changed my
purposes SO suddenly"
He proceeded to detail the scene
which the reader has already been
made acquainted with.
The rascal!' exclaimed Uncle
Thomas, warmly. "His plans must be
defeated, at all hazards. Can depend
upon the firmness of your resolution,
WilliamP' he proceeded 10 inquire.
"Ynu can, uncle. Things appear to
me now very different from what they
did. BY Gods help, | mean TO win
back the respectable place / once held
IL society"
The uncle grasped the hand Of his
nephew warmly.
Then" said he, ''my help shall not
be wanting. | will take up this mort
gage which tho landlord holds, and,
while you keep steady, | will never
trouble you about it,
will you, indecl?" exclaimed Will
! lam, gladly. Il will accept your kind
offer, being confident that | can at
some time repay you, if my health is
/ spared
The next morning, William Sprague
went over TO the tavern, as usual
"Ah, Sprague, glad to SEQ YOU" said
the landlord, with professional cordial
| ity. Wont you have u glass of Bit
ters this morningP"
"Not just now" said William, quiet
ly. Il want to see you few moments
on business
Step right in here, then" said the
landlord, pointing to little room sup
| piled with a desk and chairs.
at was about the mortgage
sob, yes" said the landlord, urbane-
ly. II suppose you would like to raise
"a little more money on your place.
Well, FL advance you two hundred
| dollars on second mortgage
Int
"Indeede' said the landlord, looking
surprised.
IL want TO take up the present mort
gage"
"What! Have you got the money!"
! qucried the astounded landlord.
al have" said Sprague, producing
roll of bills.
Better Jet it lay" said the laad-
lord; "you may want TO use the money
for some other purpose"
civilian insisted, aud the landlord
reluctantly complied with his demand.
When the formalities were concluded,
and William felt himself a free man.
he turned round and addressed the
landlord, meaningly:
II am sorry you will be disappointed
about getting possession of my place
for your son John. Perhaps you can
| find another to your mind"
The landlord turned red and NUT.
tered something in n confused manner.
William Spragle turned on his heel
and walked away, and from that mo-
ment has not allowed himself to taste
glass of anything stronger than
water He considers the conversation
to which he was a chance listener as
the turning point of his life.
Cnntu1n of @ Pin Snn Unran