Year: 1861

be beg How would be meet his father p
bow present the crown he had conquered
He could not tell. He would wait until
the time came. fc3 ,s .@H


And did he see his father during these
years Of struggle? Yes, be saw him occa.
sianally. They met sometimes in the streets,
and sometimes in the courts. They bowed,
and passed the bare compliments of recog-
milton, but nothing more.


And how was it in Mark WiltOn's home
Go ask the Angels of Peace and Love, for
those were the angels that guarded the spot.
A better wife man never had. Mark never
regretted the step he had taken-never.
And yet, sometimes, when the memories of
childhood came back to him, his heart would
go forth 10 yearning after parents love.
And 10 these moments he prayed that his
father might live to bless him. But be suf
fered not. His wife read all his thoughts,
and she ministered to all his needs; and
when she saw that the old recoIlections we're
upon him, she wound her arms about his
neck, and whispered to him of the bright
promises of the future.


Five years had passed-6ve years Of up.
bill toil-and yet how rich 10 result, how
freighted with reward, that toll had been.
1t had been most truly up hiN-and far,
far up the hill had be worked his way.


On the 18th of March l8-, the large
court room was packed in every part and
all over the country, where the newspapers
were read, were anxious people, waiting to
learn the result of the days trial. 1t was
al act of giant monopoly against the rights
of the people, and Mark Wilton was for
the defence. During the three days the
trial Iastedr-and during those three days
Wilton Iairiy outdid his own hopes aud ex-
p citations. He knew that bis father was in
the courtroom, and that his fathers friends
were there. He knew that thousands were
watching him, and that great interests
hung upon him. And, furthermore, he
knew that 10 his home was one whose pray
ers we're going up continually for him.
There was one thing more-he felt that
this was round far up the ladder, and he
resolved to reach it. And so be went at
the work. Lotto it he threw his whole soul;
and so nobly did be battle; so ably did be
reflect the rights of his clients so power
fully did he appeal on behalf of right and
justice and so keenly and clearly did he
open up the merits OF his own case, and ex.
pose the numerous wrongs OF the opposi-
tion, that he carried all the disinterested
hearts with him. He gained his case
gained it against the power of money and
numbers-gained it by such powers of bis
own as few among bis peers could have put
forth


As Mark Wilton turned to leave the
court room, after he had received the con
gratulatiOns of the bench and bar, he saw
bis father away in one corner, and he saw
that he was weeping. For an instant-but
for an instant Ouly-there was in his soul a
spirit OF exuitation over bis weeping parent (;
but better feeling quickly came, and, in
the flush of that proud hour, he felt that it
would be a crowning Joy to have that old
mans hand laid with blessing upon his
head.


That evening, as Mark Wilton sat with
his wife, his clients, who had come to con-
gratulate him, having taken their leave, and
his children having been put to bed, the
door:bell was rung, and presently Mr..
Sampson was ushered into the parlor.-
Mark had not seen the old man to converse
with him for long time. He knew that
Mr.. Sampson had been a frequent caller at
the house, and that be had spent much time
with the children but be himself had been
so busy that be had no opportunity to share
bis company. Now, however. he was glad
to see him, and his welcome was warm and
free:


OF course the conversation turned upon
the events Of the great trial and once
more Clara heard how the people were
praising her husband.


My son." said the old man, you are at
the top of the ladder but your work is
not done. Your labor of climbing may be
over, but there is high, broad mountain of
honor and fame before you. Up its slo.
ping side is one path that will surely carry
its follower to the summit. 1t is the path
of usefulness. l would not touch you with
advice, hut speak from the fullness of my
heart.


Il understacd you, my good SIR" replied
Mark, "and your hint pleases me. 1t
pleases me most because it is the reflection
of my own feelings, and the sum of my
own reflections. | may have reached a
proud station; but l have only just begun
to taste the sweets of successful labor.
There are rich rewards in the future, aud l
am resolved to gain them if live"


Mr.. Sampson was deeply affected; but
be subdued his emotion, and then spoke to
the young man of his father.


l saw your father this evening, Mark /;
and he isproud and happy"


" Proud and happy?" repeated the law
yer, in low, meditative tone.


es indeed he is"


Mark Wilton rested his brow upon bis
hand and thought. They we're not new
thoughts that came to him then-nO, they
were thoughts that often occupied his mind
Thoughts given him by his wife in their
seasons OF calm, hopeful communion.