Year: 1859

signed his name, he handed it to Henry
saying as he did So


There, you hand that 10 the man tha
stops there, and he will surely help you.


The young man took the paper and
ran his eyes over it. At first he started
as though something had frightened him;
but fancied he must have been mistaken,
and he ran it over again. Yet it was the
same. 1t was draft on the Merchants
Bank for twenty thousand dollars.


What means this 2 he uttered, tremb-
ling violently.


Why returned the old man, with a
smile, thought you understood such
matters. Didn't you ever see one of
those kind of documents before y


But SIR murmured Henry, l do
not understand. Surely you would not
trfle in such matter


Trife, my boy = cried Uncle Adam,
bursting into generous laugh, but yet
with big tears gathering in his eyes
No, Of course l would not GO and
carry that to the teller of the bank, and
he will fork over the money as quickly
as he can count it,


The young man looked up in wonder
and astonshment, but before he could
collect his senses enough to speak to the
old man, the latter went on


l see you're puzzled. Ha, ha, ha,
my boy. When you took me in and gave
me home, you took fortune to your
self. When left this country and went
to Scotland, | went to claim property
which a brother of mine had left. | was
the only living relative he had, and
gained the property, amounting to be-
tween three and four hundred thousand
dollars. As soon as had got it, l re-
solved to return to America, for l had no
friends there. But when ! reached these
shores, l found myself almost as poorly
oil. turned my steps hither, and won
dered if | had one true friend left. /
knew some one must have my vast prop
erty, and | wished that il should fall to
some one who loved me- But, thinks |, I
if they know how rich l am, they'll
all love. So determined to find some
body, if | could, who loved poor Uncle
Adam Wilson and you know the result.
All, | came nigh giving up, but fortune
brought me here, and found all | could
possibly want. Henry-Sarah-my no
ble, generous friends-it is my turn now
to be helper. So cheer up. Ny prop
erty is all safe, and it is all for you. You
have proved yourself worthy, and only
pray God that l may be as happy seeing
you enjoying my bounty as l have been
IN receiving your warm and kindest love- ,


1t required some time to quiet the feel
ings of the young husband and wife,
and when they dared to trust their words
they blessed the old man in earnest and
grateful tones.


: shall not refuse your noble offer,
said Henry, as soon as he could speak
plainly, for ] know you will be happier
to see us enjoying your bounty than you
would be were we to refuse it,


Refuse it +? Why-you can't refuse
it. It's yours-all, all yours and all
that | ask is that you will let me enjoy it +
with you


For the next half hour there was weep
ing, and laughing. and blessing, and
thanksgiving, and then the little party
settled down into calmer and deeper
JOY.


In time the story of Uncle Adams
wealth leaked out, and many a bitter re-
gret was the result--regret from those
who made no home for the old pedagogue.
Some envious ones even went so far as to
say that Henry Loomis knew the old man
was wealthy before he took him in but
at the same time they knew better, for
they had the assurance of one who never
spoke falsely, to the contrary.


However, none of these thing darken-
ed the peace and joy Of the young merch-
ants home. He rose above his pecuni-
airy troubles, and as his new wealth
brought new sources Of happiness 10 his
possession, he forgot not those who were
in need. The same spirit which had
prompted him to give the pedagogue a
home, still operated in all his doings,
and many were the poor people who
learned 10 bless him.


Uncle Adam has been dead several
years, but his bounty is in worthy hands;
and many, very many beside Henry and
his wife, have reason to bless the hour
that brought the old pedagogue and his
wealth TO that village.