Year: 1868

About twenty miles from New York lives
rich man who has Il fine estate, and an interest
ing family, of which the eldest is q beautiful
young lady, her fathers pride and hope. Last
year, while his elegant mansion was building,
q young carpenter who had just finished his
trade, and whose sole property consisted in a
pair of large hands, stout good heart, and
habits of industry and soberness, came to work
upon the premises. Very naturally the young
knight of the broad-ax soon fell in love with the
young lady, and, not strange to say, the young
lady was equally pleased with him. She spent
considerable time every day in watching the
progress of the work, particularly that performed
by the young mechanic, and he found his great
est incentive and joy in working under the
watch of her loving eyes.


The secret, however, soon became an open
onc and finally was broken to the young lady S
father He heard the sad news without appar-
ent concern but in few minutes set off for the
village, where be made dilgent inquiry respect
ing the young carpenter, who, he learned, was
the only son and support of u widow, but was an
intelligent, capable, promising young man. The
father returned home, and, calling his daughter
to his room, asked her how the matter stood be-
tween herself and the young carpenter. 1t
a critical moment to her. and for an instant her
fears triumphed all other feelings, and she
burst into tears. The tears were followed by
confession of attachment which had grown
stronger every day, even with the fear that it
was doomed to cruel disappointment for the
object of it nothing but a poor mechanic.
- But love him with all my heart, and would
give my life for him, said the honest girl.


Does he reciprocate your afiection?' asked
the father.


HThat he does, replied the daughter - but
he knows that you would never consent to his
paying his addresses to me, and has been very
reserved about it, He talks of going away, be-
cause he cannot live here without seeing me,
and thinks you would be unwilling to have him
visit the house"


The father sent for the young carpenter, who
came to his room with the greatest trepidation.
He suspected what was in the wind and antici-
patng an immediate dismissal, his heart was in
his throat when he said to him


Young man, how is it that you have dared
to carry on filtration with my daughter with
out my consent?


That is false, sir utterly false, SIR" the
young man replied. Your daughter came to
the house where we were at work, and saw her
and loved her. l could not keep my eyes from
looking at her. She returned my look and in
terest and asked me questions. Almost every
day she has been to the house, and her coming
makes it seem as heaven to me, sir. But knew
that | was only poor mechanic with mother
on nv hands, and that you would not consent to
my offering her any particular attention. So |
nave kept away I'm going off, sir, as soon as





her, and would not do anything dishonorable,
or that her father would disapproYe.'
| The young turned his face toward the
window to hide few stray tears which came
into his eyes. The father looked steadily at the
secretary, as if it contained something of very
unusual interest. After not unwelcome ST.
lence he turned to the young man and said:


'You have acted honorably in this matter.
You shall my daughter all you please.
hear that YOU are a worthy, industrious young
man, and l prefer such one for a son to any
dssolute snob. | am sorry your education has
been so neglected. But it is not too late to rem
edy that matter. will pay your wages to your
mother and send you to school for a year or two
After you get good education laid / will take
you into my business; and if you bear yourself
in "a worthy manner, of these days my
daughter shall be your wife. You may qait
work at once"


Our readers can imagine the scene and the
ioy that followed this speech of a wise and kind
father far better than describe them.
The young man has just finished years course
at school, where he has made wonderful pro-
gresS