Year: 1876

Il
knowledge, 1 was as ignorant as a six
months baby.


In three months 1 was at the end of nv
resources, and yet was not fully prepared
10 humble myself to my grandfather's wife.
but wrote to him three times, and my
letters were returned by Mrs. Wise, I
learned long, long afterwards.


My life was not exactly bed of roses
after that for many long years, but my
grandfather might have envied me with
two utterly heartless women controlling
hlm. moved from one house to another
always in the descending scale, till found
myself the occupant of a miserable attic.
Then did what my pride had prevented
before. went to my fathers brother, a
large wholesale grocer. He was in his
counting-house when l entered, a very
beggar in appearance.


Arnold Kingsler," he said holding out
both hands.


"Wil you shake hands with such a
pitiable object?" said, trying to laugh
and failing miserably.


"Shake hands" he said heartily; "that
l will. And now tell me why you did
not come to ME before? l know all about
1t. That woman's story is no secret; but
did not know where to find YOU"


| come to ask youif you will let me
work for whatever 1 am worth. 1t will
not be much at first, but l will try to
learn"


You are in earnest ?" my uncle asked.
at would be an injustice to the really
hard-working clerks employ to give you
a sinecure position here. l had rather
help you in some other way"


81 am in earnest" 1 replied, al will
work faithfully, and want to learn some
thing that will give me some useful posi-
ton in life. l have been drone in the
busy hive too long"


"Come then, tomorrow. In the mean
time take this as gift"


And he pressed bank note into my
hand. 1 thanked him gratefully, and left
him to buy myself good meal and suit
of clothes. And the next morning l
entered upon my new duties. 1t was the
turning point in my life, and my uncle
knew it.


Years ago he went to his last rest, and
there was no more sincere mourner fol-
lowed his body to the grave than the man
he made-for he made a man of me. He
was kind but never allowed me to shirk
my duties. He taught me the value of
self-reliance, industry and perseverance far
more highly than had valued my former
position as a mere hangerfon to a rich man.
But although my uncle was very kind,
soon had far greater stimulus than his
most encouraging words.


He was childless, but years before had
adopted an orphan niece of his wife's, a
lovely girl, just eighteen at the time of my
grandfather's marriage. She had always
been favorite of mine, though l had
looked upon her as mere child, until my
misfortunes developed the pure womanly
traits of comforter and sympathizer.


Compared TO Bella, she was like sweet
wood-violet beside gorgeous exotic. My
evenings came to be my happiest hours, as
turned from my house to visit my uncle
and Agnes May. And was always
welcome true home circle was new
experience in my life, and never wearied
of watching Agnes busy with some feminine
work, or flashing to and fro over the piano
keys.


Before 1 had been year in my uncle's
employ was sure of two things, that had
never before had any true manly impulses,
and that had never loved the woman who
deserted me to win my grandfather's gold.
Never When l did love, when the pure,
sweet loveliness of Agnes May filed my
heart, blessed the day that severed the
tie that would have made me the life com.
panion of any utterly heartless, selfish
woman, mere butterfly of fashion.
. Even when knew that did love Agnes,
E | did not dare to speak my love, because il


seemed like a base return of uncle's kind
ness. But every time l saw Agnes, knew
more certainly that her love, and that
alone, would ever make me truly happy
Well, love has an unspoken language, and


Agnes knew mine for her as we'll as if had
[ told her of every heart throb, and my
D uncle guessed my secret too.
3 One day he told me SO, and gave his
hearty consent to our wooing So, with q
E mere stipend Of my own, dared ncemore
! to breathe love tale, and won my wife.
We were married two years after the day


I entered into my uncle's employ. And


we were very happy. More and more die
q become convinced that Miss Bella Wise
bestowed blessing upon me when she
! became my grandmother, and that the
/ day was thrust out of my home was th'
! most fortunate day of my life.
III was learning the deeper lessons of life
|. in a school far more ennobling than th'


one in which had been educated from I
q child. / was learning the sweetness Of pro
!. | tecting those loved, Of working for ml
{ home, my wife, and, as the years rolled on
| my children