The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1892-11-11


these visits, for, somehow, John always
managed to suggest that II was "fool-
ishness" that lost the old place, and the
old man would pitifully answer: "How
was one to know, John-how was one
to know?'
As rule, the people of Scranton
paid little attention to Myra and he.
father Their poverty forced them to
live quiet, retired life. Myra had o
slig, acquaintance with the son OF her
employer, young Clarence Wilbur, Jr.
He was about to be admitted into part
nership with his father, and people re-
garded him as one Of the coming men
OF Scranton. He belonged to family
that boosted line Of ancestors trace
able back into the misty past Clar.
enco, however, made little of it, and his
plebian associations sometimes aroused
The remonstrance of his aristocratic pa
rents. His answers were always based
on his philosophic notion that "a mans
a man for q that.
One pleasant Sunday afternoon while
enjoying stroll he passed the house
where Myra and her father resided.
The window was open to admit the re-
froshing air. Myra was reading aloud
70 her father one OF those matchless ro-
mances of Hawthorne, and the clear, ex-
pressivc intonation of the words pene-
trated the outer world and caught
Clarence's attention. He stopped and
listened.
81 swear" he said TO himself, after
she had finished, "that girl is fine
reader" He resolved to learn some
thing of her circumstances, and so
called one day to see her father osten.
sibly on business, but really to catch n
glimpse of the interior of their little
homo. Myra was away, but he foun1
the old man cheerful and glad to talk.
The room was plainly furnished but
very neat and orderly arranged. A lit
tie bookcase filed with choice reading,
few simple pictures on the wall, here
and there piece of bric-a-brac art -tic.
ally arranged, and boquet of wild
iiowers in the window, were about all,
but it seemed homelike, and Clarence
was not ayerse TO calling again when
Myra would be at home" as the old
man expressed it in his earnest invita-
lion.
"Myra," said the old man, sis a-goin'
TO be school-teachor. She is power
tul scholar already, and you will always
ind her studyin' when the works done.
She uses too much Of the night for it
sometimes, it seems to me, but she has
sol her mind ont. Myry is only my
ADOPTED daughter-I s'pose you didn't
know that?"
Clarence looked q negative.
Myra passed the examinations with
credit and obtained situation. A
happy girl she was and the children
thought there never had been another
such teacher. Clarence called at her
home from time to time and occasion
ally dropped in at school Myra liked
him and it was evident that he liked
her. As time passed he saw her more
frequently, and one evening as they
stood at the garden gate he breathed
The question with fear and trembling.
''Ies; Myry is too smart to be a
Blrdwell; bat, bless ye, she's more'n a
daughter to me. John, that's my boy,
he found fault when l Tux her, but l
says: Her father was my Oldest friend,
and I'd ha' wanted him to do the same
by You had l died when you were
lcetle,' so she come into our house.
This was when We had place of
our own, with good horses and money
ia the bank, but bad luck followed and
Alyrys done all the carin.'" There
were tears in the old mans eyes as he
recounted the whole history of their
troubles. Clarence went away strangely
affected.
When his father heard of the engage
ment he said GAN I've got to say,
Clarence, is that you are bigger fool
than 1 ever took you for-that girl he's
neither money no station"
but she has character, and that is
something in this world" answered
Clarence.
Time rolled by and at last there came
the wedding day. The morning was
glorious, just such one as they would
have chosen. Clarence's new home
stood ready. 1t was the pride of the
city and the largest and sunniest room
of all was reserved for Myra's father.
On the eventful morning Clarence
read something in the Bulletin that
made him thoughtful. He donned his
hat and went to see Myra. "Myra,
said he, "your father has some certif.
Gates in mines that never panned out.
Will you let me see them ?"
She went into the house and brought
out little package. His hands shook
rs he united the ribbon. His face grew
very pale "Myra," said he, "do you
know that they have struck new bed
of ore in the Ingram gulch mine? Mr..
Mason, of Huckleyville doesn't own
half what these certificates represent
but he has made his fortune. Your
father is undoubtedly wealthier thar
any man in Scranton"
The old man could hardly compre
hend it but it proved true.
After Myra and her husband returned
from their trip he said to them; "Ivt