Year: 1872

AMOS DYKES FORTUNE.

 The time of our little tale shall be some sixty years ago, before express trains tore along at the rate of fifty miles an hour, before chimney-pot hats were in fashion, and when there were many quaint old ways and customs in dress and manners which have now faded quite away.

 And the hero of our tale shall be Amos Dyke, the son of the Hollifgton carrier.

 Old Peter Dyke, the Hollington carrier, lived in little side place off the main street of the town, and commenced life with only few shillings in his pocket. By honest industry he had accumulated enough to establish a good business and, at last he became the Hollington carrier.

 Old Peter died leaving son about ten years of age, and enough for him to start well in life, and something more. But as he was so young it was necessary that he should have some one to look after him and his property; and who so fit as the miller, Crust, to undertake the task Crust was nothing 10th; he promised to defend the boy and do the best he could for him ; and as Crust was an honest man everything promised fair for Amos.

 Old Peter Dykes business was sold at his death, according to his express wish and according to arrangement made be- tween the miller and the old man, the proceeds were all invested in the mill-a iourishing concern-and one out of which all the neighbors said fortune must soon- CT or later be made.

 The prospects of Amos Dyke, then, were about as bright as those of any young man in his rank of life all the country round.

 The miller did not neglect his young charges education. He gave him the very best the neighborhood afforded, and acted honsrably by him in every way.

 Thus grew up Amos Dyke to manhood and side by side with him grew Mary Crust. And often, if the truth were known, the worthy miller looked with satisfaction upon them, as they sat one on each side of his table, and thought that perhaps some day, when he was gone, Amos and Mary would be in their places at the head and foot of the table, and per- haps the mill will be more hourishing than ever.

 There was one drawback to this agree able prospect. Amos Dyke was rather of dreamy nature-he was often absent as though his thoughts were far away, and he had to own that many time when he should have been attending what he was at, he was building castles in the air in- stead.

 Time passed on, as it will always keep doing, and Amos was now 20, and Mary was 18-and in another year, on New Years Day, Amos would be of age, and would come in for his share of the mill. He hoped also to come in for his share of Mary.

 But alas! there was heavy cloud looming over the Hollington mill. The worthy miller entered into large--too large contract to supply flour at given price for several months; he thought he knew what he was about, and if others had been as true to him as he was in his dealings, all would have been well; but the contract proved his ruin. One dread. ful morning the post brought him the an nouncement that he was bankrupt-he, and Amos, and Mary-and all of them were undone.

 Honest John Crust could have borne his own losses well enough, if he had nc one else to think of but himself. Time was, when he had only bread and cheese and on bread and cheese he could live | agaln; but there were others to think o1 tso. An! the "others' s'-these are what makes life's trials and losses often SO hard to bear. To see them want-to see then pinched; this soon doubles trials an6 losses.

 And the weight of it proved too muct for honest John; the trouble struck hin with deadly chill, and he did not sur vive long.

 Amos tended the miller along witt Mary, during his short illness; and as the time drew near when it was plain that the good man could not last long, he gave hem both his last directions.

 Amos," said the dying man, Eff this trouble had not come you would sooner or later have had all the Hollington mil your own share and mine too; fol Mary is all have in the world, and she would have been yours, and with hel whatever had; but now it is sll done But whatever has gone our good name has not; and, believe me, good name if worth money. 'Tis worth respect anG honor and trust, which are better thar money, but these often bring money too 'Ils an awful thing when parents leave their children bad name; my pool school-fellow Bence Porter used to say that it took him seven years to wipe of his fathers name from him-ay-sever years hard work, had he, as an homes man, before any one tor miles rouni would trust him with shilling, thougl he was as honest as the sun. And, now Amos, give up day-dreaming. Perhap you thought you could afford it when yo, knew you had tidy fortune coming t, you, and while you had no responsibilit, or care, for was the head of everything We'll, you were wrong there; no mal can day-dream without coming to loss but if you could not afford it then, hoy much less new. Believe me. Amos, folk do not dream themselves into anything Be up and doing, and with Gods bless ing all may yet be well. Keep iron wishing, wishing, and be doing, doing and with industry, honesty, and thrift and blessing of your God, you will d.