Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1895-08-24

80
/ advancing and extending the bust
ness of the house. He well deserves
the gift, and the fact that he has
sent the half oft to his aged parents,
is another evidence of the nobility OF
his heart and filial DEVOTION
"Ohl Mr.. May now exclaimed
the old man, while tears of joy rolled
down bis cheeks, "Oh, Mr.. May
/ breathe again-I live again. Oh,
what good, kind man and master
you have been! and how grand .
son I have! God forgive me for the
unfounded suspicious ! entertained,
and for the yehemence with which I
accused the innocent boy
Elmer's entrance interrupted their
conference. His father FASTENED at
once to meet him, fell upon his neck
and wept tears OF joy.
The surprised boy could not at
first understand what to think OF his
fathers unexpected appearance and
Che intense feeling OF joy he msni-
tested. And when he learnt the
cause, he felt very sorry, on the one
hand, that his father was led to in.
dulge SO narrowing a suspicion; and,
on the other hand, he rejoiced at his
fathers candor, conscientiousness
and sense OF right.
The aged father, realizing his
wife's great anxiety and anguish,
now felt that he must return at once,
to bring her the good news. All
entreaty to remain over nightavailed
nothing. But Mr.. May would not
allow him to walk, but sent both
father and son in his carriage.
The aged mother in the meantime
suffered untold misery. She had no
doubt of Elmer's guilt. She imagined
her darling boy already in chains
and prison, there to await his sem
tence. In this fight she could not
rest, but, weak and feeble as she was,
started herself towards Enfield to
meet her husband and learn the
worst at once. She espied carriage
in the distance, coming at a rapid
rate, and as 1t drew nearer, recog-
nized her husband and son. "Oh
Godl" she cried, l am sure OF his
guilt; but, God be praised, he has
made his escape. How fast they
drive Pray heaven that they may
not be overtaken.' Presently, how
ever, hecarriage stopped as i! reach.
ed her, and Elmer leaped out and
flung himself into the arms of his
mother, whose only exclamation was,
"My sonl my sonl"
Sod be praised" exclaimed the
father, "you can joyfully press him
to your heart, for,he is entirely in
nocent, the honest boy, our noble
son. The sudden change from ex-
treme grief to extreme joy, was too
much for the doating mother, and
she tainted in the arms of her son.
They took Ter into the carriage
where she soon revived, and when
she was made acquainted with the
facts, and they were once more seated
in their pleasant little cottage, q
happier trio than they we're now can
seldom be found.
In the village the arrival of
carriage containing the Lees was
novelty and caused great commo-
ton among the simple villagers.
"What is the meaning of this?" they
said. "Has old Lee become a rich
man all Of .--adan2 Perhaps he
has drawn great lottery prize; or,
maybe he has discovered hidden
treasurer Such were the surmises
OF the ignorant and superstitious,
until the true story became known.
Elmer remained nearly two years
more with his former master, whom
he continued to serve with undated
fidelity and energy. But his desire
for travel increased from day to day,
and finally he took leave of his
parents, his home, his benefactor
and his many friends to try the
"wide, wide world" The parting,
as may be imagined, was affecting
and fearful. He departed with bless
ings from all, for all respected and
loved him.
He visited q number of cities and
towns in different States, and finally
concluded to try his fortune in the
city of Chicago then already rising
city. He engaged himselfto promi-
nent merchant. But as he had been
brought up in the country and ac-
cnstomed to plain and simple mode
OF living, and trained by an honest
and faithful service in an unosten.
tatious but reliable house, he did not
feel at home, and could with diff
Guilty accommodate himself to differ
ent wsys, wages and methods, botf
In the matter of life, and manner o.
business.
| He found Chicago TO be city il
which number of nationalities wers
represented in nearly every depart
ment of business;-where mammoth
and sometimes questionable enter
prizes were carried on, and wher,
fashionable life won the chief ele
ment in society. The tone in bust