Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1896-07-25

Randall, the sum Of 1000, to be paid
one month after my dccease. "
Everybody i'll the room sat stupeficd
until the lawyer commenced rolling up
the parchment which had brought such
confusion i'll the camp Then general
movement took place, and the less for
tunate legatees took their leave.
William Randall came up to James,
and taking him by the hand said:
"This was entirely unexpected and
undesired by me. supposed and had
no other wish than that you would be
the fortunate one y"
This was said i'll a broken voice, with
tears standing i'll the speakers eyes, for
he was Il plain, hardworking farmer,
and entirely overcome by his good for
tune.
James grasped his hand, and said
hoarscly:
"You are welcome to it, Uncle Will
liam. There is no one else would rath-
er have it 20 to. I'll see you tomor-
row." turning hastily away.
When he was left alone, he covered
his face with his hands and groaned
Where were his prospects now? What
had become of all his fine plans for i'm
provement? When would Emma ever
become his wife?
These and other things connected with
the modification of having it known
that his expectations haG been disap-
pointed caused him to feel miserable
The 81, 900, which was surely his, sank
into paltry insigniicance beside the
loss of farm worth e40O an acre-and
all lost through his own laziness. He
could not blame his grandfather. for he
knew he deserved the lesson.
There he sat miserably thinking until
twilight had closed in, and he was sum-
moned to the evening meal; but he
could not eat, and resumed his place by
the fire, wishing and not wishing he
might see Emma Willis
So, when her face appeared behind
that of Mr.. and Mrs. Hall, he sprang to
meet her with more joy than he had felt
for years. They had come to offer their
sympathy and advice to Jim, who was
in an excellent frame of mind to receive
it.
With his hand clasping Emma he
sat and listened to his faithful friend
Steve, who was suggesting some useful
hints
"It ain so much the loss Of the place,
Jim," said Steve. "as it is upsetting all
your plans. 1t would take deal of mon
ey to get things all right again, and
here you've got $1,000 in cash to do
what you've mind to with. "A bird in
the hand is worth two in the bush,
you know, and as you have all your life
been waiting for something to turn up,
suppose you turn up yourself and show
what kind of stuff there is i'll you"
II will. Steve, Will" Jim excluam-
ed, jumping up IT sec now what self
ish, aimless life havo led, waiting-I
am ashamed to acknowledge-for an
other man to die that might enjoy the
fruit Of his toll From this hour am
resolved to live to some purpose, and,
with Emma to help me, know shall be
o happier man. -
Although agriculture was distastcful
to him, he resolved to conquer his dis
like and make amends for tho past So
he bought Il small place and worked
hard to bring it to high state of cult
vatiCn.
lie was 50 successful that his fame as
q farmer spread abroad, and many ap-
plications for advice and consultation
did he receive. The old farmers said
there was no use competing with him at
their county exhibitions, for he regular
ly bore off the highest prizes. And his
wife, now rosy, cheerful matron, made
the best butter and cheese in the county
His farm was growing too small for
his extended operations, and he was ne
gotiating for the purchase of more land,
when his uncle William was killed by
fall from wagon and OH reading the
will he found, to his surprise and graft
fication, that the cid farm had been
willed back to him. improved 100 per
cent.
He took possession with an overflow
ing heart. now fully approaching and
enjoying the occupation which had
taught him that the greatest happiness
of life is i'll the full employment of oul
talents, whatever they may be, aided in
his case by the great power of love-
London Spare Moments.