Year: 1863

"Going, going-will you give but tive dol
lars for this excellent bureau ?" exclaimed Mr.
Barley, the auctioneerer, a year or two since
as we were passing down Exchange street
Here, Mr. c., be said, turning to US, buy
this bureau; it is cheap enough; it is worth more
for kindling wood than what it is going for.
Just look at it-going- gOing-say quick or
you loose it,


Two dollars and fifty cents, we bid, as We
saw il was the very same bureau We had
bought several years before for ten and half
dollars, and it was knocked off to us.


This is singular enough, thought we, as we
had the article carried to our room. Where
is the young woman who formerly owned it ?
Who was she


We made several inquiries, but could not
ascertain who she was, or what had become
of her. The bureau had been carried TO the
auction room by an individual whom Mr.. Bar
ley never saw before, aud all our inquiries to
ascert ain what became of the young lady,
seemed fruitless.


Several months passed by, aud still we
heard nothing of the young lady, when one
day, not knowing but we might get some
clue of the former owner, we took out all the
drawers separately and examined them. We
saw no writing whatever. In the back of the
under drawer we noticed that small piece of
pine had been inserted. 1t looked as if it bad
been to stop defect. Prying it with knife
it came out, when TO our establishment we
found several gold pieces to the value of a.
bout fifty dollars, besides a note for twenty
FIVE hundred dollars, with interest, made paya-
bic 20 Sarah, when she should become of
age. 1t was witnessed note, and had been
running about ten years, signed by wealthy
man, whose reputation for honesty is not ex
eeedingly good. Without mentioning to a
single individual what we had discovered, we
Immediately resumed our efforts to ascertain
who Sarah- was, and where she could be
found We learned that girl Of this name
lived with Capt., and did the work of
the kitchen Ofhim we could obtain but
little information. His wife recolected the
girl, and spoke of her in the highest terms.
She believed she had married mechanic, and
retired from the city, but his name she could
not reeollect. By repeated inquiries we as
that Sarah with her husband lived
on small farm on the road that leads to Sa
co. Taking an early opportunity, we started
for the residence of the young woman. After
several inquiries on the road, we were directed
to the house.


1t was a pleasant situation, little from the
road, while everything looked neat about the
dwelling. AS we drew up to the cottage,
who should come to the door but the very
woman we had so long been anxious TO find.
She recognized US at once.


"Why, Mr. c., how glad l am to see
you Where ia the world did you come from?
Walk in and take seat"


Her husband was present-an intelligent
looking man-io whom she presented US.


II have often thought of you" she remarked
"and when in Portland have been tempted to
call and see you; but although 1 have not
called, be assured have not forgotten your
kindness, and never shall forget it."


"But you seem happier than when last
saw you"


"Be assured, sir, am. My husband has
hired this little farm. where we have resided
for the last two years, and we have comfor-
table living, and are as happy as we could
wish. In the course ofa few years, if we have
our health, and prosper, we are in hopes TO.
purchase the farm


"What does the owner value it at ?''


"ae values it at about fifteen hundred dol
lars. We have had to purchase great many
farming things, or we should have made a
towards it."


"But what has become of your old bureau?"


81 fear 1 shall never see it again. she re-
piled: and after pause, said-"I believe l
have never told you how 1 have been situa
ted


"You never did,


"When my mother died, it was thought she
left some property in the hands of au uncle of
mine, that would come to me when I was of
age; but be said it was net the case. With
him resided for short time"


.eWas your uncle's name Mr.. -" said
We, mentioning the individual who had signed
the note ia eur possession.


"Yes, sir,-that was his name. He was
very unkind to me-made me work so hard
and was so cross that was obliged to leave
him, and earn my living by doing the work OF
a kitchen girl. One day learned that be
was about to dispose of what little property
mother had left to pay an old debt of hers.
As soon as / found it correct, l Immediately
went to the auction, and found it too true.
Y You know about the bureau, the only article |
of mothers property could purchase-and
had it not been for your kindness it would
have gone with the rest. The money l paid
was earned 10 the kitchen. As found it in
convenient to carry it with me, asked my
aunt's permission to put it ia her garret,
which permission she granted. On calling for
il when was married, l learned that uncle
had disposed oft with some things at auction.
[ would rather have lost hundred dollars-not
that the piece possessed any real value, but it
belonged to my dear beloved mother-(a tear
came in the poor woman's eye)-and on that
account did not wish to part with it. But
it was useless to speak to uncle about it-he
was entirely indifferent to me and what con-
germs me-"


Suppose that I should tell you that have
the bureau in my office"


"Is il possible You astonish me, Mr.. G.
Have you indeed the old bureau ?"


81 have, and what is better, have some
thing here for you"-taking out my pocket
book and placing the note and gold upon the
table-"these are yours"


"Wby sir you more aud more astonish me -


"Ihey are yours. After l became the
owner of the bureau, found the gold and
this note concealed in one of the drawers.
There are nearly fifty dollars, and the note is