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��THE SYMBOLIZED WEDDING-DAY.
��that He will eventually bring me out into the happy sunshine again, hanging in His heaven of love a bright rainbow of promise!"
'•God bless you, my own Harry ! My cup runneth over with joy ! This hour let us consecrate ourselves anew to the work of the Master, promising our hearts to be faithful workers in the vineyard wherein He hath placed us !"
��A wealthy uncle, in a distant Southern State, hearing of Harry's misfortune, immediately wrote him, inviting him- self and family to share the bounties of his own luxurious home. Somewhat ad- vanced in years, he had often felt the need of a younger hand to help turn the great wheels of his extensive business — an active, energetic mind to alleviate, in a measure, his burden of thought ; while his plantation home (he having led a bachelor life) needed the loving influence of woman to brighten up and sweeten its languishing atmosphere — the marks of her deft fingers upon its pertainings, that they might become more home-like and attractive.
Fnlly confident that the ability, strength of character and sound judg- ment of his nephew would meet every demand of the position, he had more than once made the proposition, assuring him that he should share his property like an own son. But Harry always answered nim with true manly dignity :
"Thanks, dear uncle; yet, much as I love you and appreciate the kind inten- tions of your offer, I cannot accept it. I should feel that I was but a pauper liv- ing in high life ! I had rather make my own mark in the world, and then, if I win the laurels I now so much covet, their beauty will not be dimmed by the thought that older and more ex- perienced hands hung them for me — but I can accept them with becoming pride as the merit of my own untiring exer- tions."
Lest the same old will-power of self- reliance might still influence and keep from him his nephew, he had very thoughtfully and kindly added a post- script to his letter, saying :
"Dear Harry, do not let a foolish
��whim of dependence keep you from me. I so much need you ! My business mat- ters have become somewhat entangled by my own unavoidable neglect, and it needs a young and careful hand to disen- gage the matted threads and straighten them out again. To you I can confident- ly trust the work, which will relieve me of great anxiety and thought; while Kittie's care over the servants and house- hold duties — her happy voice and cheer- ful smiles — the bird-like chirpings of the little ones, will not only add a charm to the home but a joy to the heart of
Your Bachelor Uncle."
At first, Harry Lettredge felt that he could not accept the invitation, but when he came to consider it more fully and to realize that a duty lay hidden within its acceptance, then he cheerfully decided, subsequently moving hither with his family.
For a while they were very happy in their new home in the sunny South. Kittie, by her own skillful hands and judicious management of the servants, soon transformed the somewhat neglected mansion into one of much beauty and many pleasing attractions. The children became pets for the plantation hands, who considered it an honor of high de- gree to tolt the little ones over the grounds and entertain them with their plantation melodies ; while Harry became more cheerful and contented when he saw the pleasure it gave his uncle to have them with him.
But by and by, after his business mat- ters were straightened and in fine work- ing order, and he began to feel that his presence was no longer a necessity, then his ambitious spirit began to grow rest- less, and he sighed for an independent life in fields of activity and labor.
It was a great disappointment to his uncle when he made his proposition to leave him ; yet, feeling that true and no- ble motives actuated his nephew, he re- luctantly consented, granting him such assistance as was needed to further his plans.
Having an opportunity to associate himself with a man of fine business abil- ity in the wool exportation business, he gladly accepted, returned East, and took
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