46
��PAYING THE MORTGAGE.
��But despite economy and retrench- ment ; despite, also, opposition in certain quarters, the origin of which was easily- traced, Mr. Eldridge received substan- tial tokens of the good will of his parish- ioners. He was enriched in pocket, lar- der and wardrobe; so that the winter opened auspiciously for the dwellers in the parsonage as well as in the cottage of Elsie Duiilap, and the little brown cot- tage where Aunt Jane Shorey rose every morning before the sun topiepare break- fast and lunch for Cameron Bassett.
For the first time in his life the young man knew something of the comforts of a home ; and, receiving much, gave much in return. He seldom returned from his work in the evening without bringing some tribute from the forest ; sometimes a bit of moss or lichen, or peculiar growth of wood ; and sometimes wild game, which was always shared with their neighbors, who thus enjoyed a sim- ple luxury which was fully appreciated. He never failed to come up to the full measure of woi'k he set himself to do ; neither did he fail to meet his weekly ap- pointment with the clergyman, who found him a scholar of rare quickness and thoroughness.
•'You ought to do better by yourself than you can do here," his teacher said to him as the winter waned.
" Yes, sir; I am going to try and do better. I have seen a man and talked with him who promised to write and tell me where to go. It's almost time for the letter."
" Is the man reliable?"
"I don't know that, sir. I never saw him but once. I must wait to know."
He did not say how he had made the acquaintance of the gentleman who was to write to him. He was not one to boast of his good deeds, but that a good deed had been done my readers may be as- sured, and the event proved that his con- fidence was not misplaced when he as- sumed that the stranger to whom he had rendered an important service would have a regard for his interest. The letter came as expected, and, bidding adieu to his friends, who as yet knew not how to appreciate him, he went to try his for- tune in the same city from which he had
��wandered years before without definite aim or purpose.
" Whatever I'll do without him I don't know," said Aunt Jane in a husky voice. "I never had no child, so I don't know how mothers feel, but I think enough of him ; and I tell you what, Elsie, he'll be comin' back sometime and show folks what he can do. The minister and I know more'n the rest of you."
" You have had a better opportunity to know, but he has been very kind to Regis and me. He has helped us in a good many ways."
"And you've helped him; so I guess you needn't feel none in debt to him. He's goin' to write to me, and you'll have to answer the letters for me. I never was no hand at writin' nor much at read- in', so I guess you'll be the one, after all."
Now that the young man was really gone, people began to speak of him as one likely to make his mark in the world. His letters were always cheerful and hopeful, always expressing, too, the soli- citude he felt for the friends whom he gratefully remembered.
In the meantime, important changes were taking place in the hitherto quiet town. A water privilege had been pur- chased by a manufacturing company who were making rapid improvements. This gave a new impetus to business, created a demand for dwelling houses, and brought a market to the very doors of the farmers.
Peter Greenleaf still lived, eager to in- crease his wealth, and in no way less un- scrupulous ; yet he found himself every year more unpopular and unhappy. Aunt Jane Shorey would never allow his folly and wickedness to be forgotten. She believed that he deserved punishment, and was quite willing to aid in its inflic- tion. There had been rumors of his in- tended marriage, yet he had brought no bride to his home. There was now and then a whisper that, as "the town worked up," there might be trouble for him in regard to the titles of certain lands it was claimed he had obtained dishonestly.
A lawyer was about to establish him- self in the thriving little village ; one who would bring with him ample credentials
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