Year: 1859

| lilOSe VINO asked MIN ne answered ina
Uncle Adam was like a father to him
and he gave him a home because he low.
ed him. The old pedagogue went to the
store almost every day, and he made him
self very useful in variety of ways.


For two or three weeks Uncle Adam
watched his two friends very narrowly,
but at length be hsbsahsp&ssured that
they liked to have him there, and that
they would on no account suffer him TO
leave. As soon as he gained this assur-
ance lie was happy and contented, and
ere long he became really father in the
household. He was still fresh and strong
in intellect, and his conversation was
both source of pleasure and profit. In
the spring he went to a neighboring city
and spent week, and both Henry and
Sarah were really lonesome when he was
gone; and when he returned he saw, by
the eagerness and joy with which he was
welcomed back, that he had place in
their love, and that they were glad to
have him with them.


The spring passed away and the sum-
mer came. 1t was during the first week
IN August that Henry came home one
evening downcast and sad. Sarah asked
him what was the matter, and he whis-
pered to her to wait till Uncle Adam was
gone. The old man understood it all.
He saw the movement, and he knew
what it meant. So he asked what was
the matter. Henry tried to put him off,
but it would not work.


'Ah, Henry, you have no right to
keep any trouble from me. | am the re-
cipient of your bounty, and if you are
in trouble l ought to know it. | have
had much experience, and will not sure
ly make your position worse. Come
let me know all.


Not now, Uncle Adam. At some
time may tell you


But | must know now. persisted the
old man. If you do not tell me, | may
tell YOU


Henry smiled, but made no answer.


Look ye, my noble boy, you're labor
ing under pecuniary difficulty All
you need not deny it,


mean not to deny it, the young
man said, seeming to feel more easy now
that the subject was broached


Then explain all about it. Come,
tell me all, and | may suggest something
that will be for your benefit


On one condition, Uncle Adam, l
will do So Henry finally answered. IfI
you will promise that you will not be
uneasy, and that you will still continue
the same cheerful companion that you
have thus far been, | will tell YOU all
about it.


: promise you that, readily, said the
old man.


Then listen : resumed Henry. II
am in trouble, and deeply in, too. Last
March bought extensively, and gave
my notes on six months At the same
time | sold heavily to Webb, Dingley &
beverley, also on six months. They have
failed, and will not pay five cents on the
dollar. On the first of next month nv
notes come due for ten thousand dollars ?


/" How much did Webb & Co. owe
You . asked Adam


Twelve thousand and over


Then you'll have to fail p


: can't help it. But you hayn't
heard the worst yet Or, rather-not
all. The worst you have surely heard.
Latoa & Crimton have failed They owe
me about four thousand. | have three
thousand due day after to morrow, and | |
was looking to Laton for money to pay
it.


Then you are about wound up said
the old man.


am, most essentially SO, returned
Henry. | can bear it if you and Sarah
will only be happy


Happy 2 said the noble wife, spring
ing forward and throwing her arms
about her husbands neck. sOh. how
can keep from being happy while you
are well and strong. We will work along
Uncle Adam and | will do
all we can


when are you going to the city p
asked the old man.


must go to morrow" said Henry.


Then let me have pen and ink. |
have friend there who may help YOU
At any rate, will give you n line to
him. He is very accommodating to
hose who come with good recommenda-
tons