Year: 1861

II uDau lhe eieT ESllIS. IL IL udu mol
e been for the encumbrance of an old
o mortgage upon his farm, he could have
> found persons ready enough to 60 Sc
t curity, if made perfectly safe by pledge
\ OF the real estate under execution. But
= the mortgage put that out of the ques-
r ton.


The thought of giving up the old


homestead, where, as a child, he had
|, been happy, and, even as a man, seen
r many pleasant seasons, softened the
D feelings of Peter Ellis into a gentler
, mood than they had known for long
time. Every object upon which his
) eyes rested, now, strangely enough,
, brought back some memory of child
, hood-some vision of those early times,
that seem to grow brighter and brighter
as we look back upon them through the
!engtheing vista of years. The surface
, of his mind was no longer darkly rufiled


by the too long prevailing winds of pas


sion that had blown over it, nor were


its depths agitated by the long ground


swell Of angry emotions. All was calm.


He was powerless in the strong hand of


the law, and in conscious impotence, his


heart was oppressed with sadness. He


was sitting near a table, with many loose


papers and letters before him which he


had been examining. They, too, had


helped to throw his mind back upon the


past. Overcome by his feelings, he had


leaned bis head upon his hand and was


sitting thus when the door of his room


was opened and some one came in. He


turned his head, and there stood the man


for whom he had cherished, for years a


bitter ike,--wby, he would have found


it hard to explain,


The sight of Tiler did not arouse his


old feelings. He was too much subdued
for causeless anger now. Rising up, he
received him with cool formality. AS
soon as Tiller was seated, he said, speak
ing very kindly, and with much sym
pathy in his voice


1t grieves me to hear that you are in
trouble but l trust and hope some


means of relief may be found. l have
come as your friend, if you will permit
me to act as such towards you. In fact,
| have always been your friend rather
than your enemy, and have often felt
sorry that you would not think so. But
let the past go, with oil its mistakes
You are in trouble, and if can help
you, am ready to do So Will you ac-
cept The kind offers | tender you, in all
?


AT this unexpected appearance and
address, Peter Ellis was quite overcome.
His lips quivered and his hands and
fingers moved about uneasily. 1t was
some moments before be could reply. He
then said in low, unsteady voice


Il did not expect this of you, Mr..
Tiller, after what has passed.


Let the past go with all its mistakes,
as | have just said,' replied Mr.. Tiller,
cheerfuly. The best are liable to error.
| have never cherished unkind feelings
towards you much less do | entertain
them now. | wish to assist you, if l
can, in your present difficulty. l am
told that your farm is under execution for
six hundred dollars, and that, on account
of its being mortgaged, you cannot in
lemniGy any one for going your secu-
rity.


1t is true, Mr.. Tiller,' replied Peter,
n desponding voice.


Very well now, in word, l will tell
you what will do. You have ten-acre
ield that is almost worn out. If you
will agree to let me cultivate that field
for four or five years, which l can 90
with extra hands, at no great expense of
line OF care, l will at once advance you
lie money you need and at the end fthe
line named after deducting interest and
, reasonable per cenlage, hand you what
ever profit may have made over and
lbove the sum now advanced


Ellis looked at Tiller for some moments
With surprise and doubt strangely blended
n the expression Of his face.


If you are in earnest in what you
ropose,' he at length said, in a subdued
one, Il can only reply, that | accept
our offer with heartfelt gratitude. You
will save me from ruin. But you will
lever get your money out OF that field
n the time you name


Il am perfectly willing TO run that risk.
But come over to my house, and we will
ave this matter speedily arranged. The
ooner it is done the better


Peter Ellis, as he walked along in
Hence beside the man who was proving
imself to be his best friend, although he
lad treated him for years as an enemy,
nd injured him severely, had many


Concluded on Fourth Pdgs.)