to insult me! Nothing but your old age for Peter Barclay moved but slowly to the protects you; I would otherwise lay my whip rescue, and was rather cowed, indeed, by over your shoulders." the sudden exhibition of his neighbour's "What!" cried Jacob Downton-rising prowess, when relief came from an unexalso to his feet. 66 Lay your whip over my pected quarter. A side door was opened at shoulders! You poor, mean, little, weazel- the fortunate moment, and Ellen Barclay faced puppy!-Do you threaten me with was, in another instant, beside old Downton. your whip? Talk of my age! My age! The affair would not suffer delay, and, seizIt may protect me, though I don't ask it;-ing the arm which held the uplifted hickory, but it shan't protect you! I'll see what my she hung upon it with all her weight, while age is worth! I will!"

her sweet voice crept, like that of a pleading angel, into his almost deafened ears.

"Oh! don't, dear father Jacob: don't for Ellen's sake! Don't you hurt him!" The fierce spirit was subdued in an instant.

With these words, brandishing his hickory cudgel with the air of one who had practised for twenty years at the Fair of Donnybrook, he advanced upon the young physician. The position of the latter was, for the moment, quite uncomfortable. He was armed only "What, Ellen, dear child, is it you?" with a riding whip. It was in a moment of And he took her into his arms and kissed her, fury, at the contemptuous estimate put upon while the big tears fell from his cheeks in his manhood, that he had uttered words of heavy drops upon her own. Meanwhile, violence which he did not really mean; opening the door, Peter Barclay pushed Dr. and, though no doubt brave enough in any Lanham out, whispering, "There's no telling issue with a young man, he decidedly shrunk when he'll rouse again! I know him of old! from the struggle with an old one. He's a devil incarnate when you get his passion up!"

"Lay your whip over my shoulders!" quoth Jacob Downton, moving briskly towards the doctor. Lanham passed hastily around the dinner table, which stood in the centre of the hall. Peter Barclay followed Jacob, in vain efforts to mollify his anger.

XI.

Old Downton drew Ellen to the fireside,

"Don't mind it," said Peter; "he didn't seated himself as composedly as if it were mean it! he didn't mean it!"

his own, and as if nothing had happened, and took the damsel on his knee.

"I'll make him mean it! No man has a right to say what he don't mean! He's a "Ah!" said he, "Peter Barclay, to think rascal if he does. I'll make him mean it." that you would be breaking the little heart "I'm not afraid of you!" cried the doctor, of such a sweet child as this! How have you the heart for it?"

at the opposite end of the table; "but you provoked me. I did not mean it for you, but if it had been your son"

"I shan't break her heart, Jacob Downton, be sure of that! I'll do the best for her!" "My son!-My son's not here to fight his "You can't do any best for her, if you own battles; but if he had been, it would expect to give her to that poor scamp of a have been so much worse for you! He'd doctor. She and my William were born for have shaken you out of your breeches. I each other. Think better of it Barclay, and can't do it so well as he, but I'll make you let her keep herself for my son; and when know the taste of hickory, if you never he comes home, we'll be happy again and know'd it before."

just as one family."

"We'll talk of that some other time. Here's the entry upon your bond of the interest you've paid. See it for yourself. I shan't be wanting any of the principal, at present, Jacob Downton; so you may rest quiet for another year. But you must look

And the old man, with an agility that astonished all the parties, making a single bound, threw himself upon the table and darted over it before the doctor could change his position. Lanham backed to the wall and threw up his whip to receive the impending blow, which another moment would have been delivered; to raise me a part of it by next January."

Downton eyed the speaker solemnly for a tion to the food and improvement of his few seconds in silence, then with great grav-stock than was common among his neighity replied

bours. He set a full crop early in the sea"Next January is in God's hands, Peter son, and had the satisfaction of finding himBarclay, and so are we! May he prove mer- self in possession of a better stand than any ciful to us both as we neither deserve. Ellen, body in the same precincts. And so things my child, kiss me! God bless you. I wish continued, looking well, until June, when I could hold you so at my own fireside. This there was a drought, which was followed by fireside of yours, I find rather cold for me now."

a fresh, and then a burning sun, under which his corn shrivelled, became yellow, and "Cold!" cried Barclay, looking at the im- ceased to grow. Then his cotton took the mense fire of oak and hickory, inflamed by rust;-then the worm and catterpillar made lightwood, which was even then roaring up their appearance; and some of his best catthe chimney, and from which he himself was tle perished of murrain. A favorite mule scorching on one side, "cold!" was bitten by a rattlesnake and died in ten minutes, and there were other misfortunes,

"Yes, cold, in spite of the fire!"

"It's old age creeping fast upon you, big and little, which fell heavily upon the Jacob."

fields, the hopes and the hearts of the Down"No, Peter! It's the ice in your heart that ton family. It seemed with the crops as won't let me feel any warmth at your fire. with the earlier children of the old man. I must go, Ellen. God bless and keep you, They flourished, up to a certain period, were my child, and make you happy, whatever considered uncommonly promising, and then, happens! That's William's prayer, now, I to the surprise of everybody, suddenly died know, while he's gone down to the sea in out. But old Jacob bore up stoutly. He set the ship. May the Lord look down lovingly upon both of you, my child. Peter Barclay, there's my hand. Good bye."

"Good bye, Jacob, good bye!" And so the two parted for the time; Barclay very glad to be rid of one whose very presence was a reproach to him.

his teeth together firmly; tried his best to smile; never once complained; never murmured, but continued to pray as fervently, and to resign himself more devoutly to the will of God.

"Though he should destroy me, yet never will I cease to cast myself upon his mercy." Meanwhile, stimulated by manly resolu- His girls felt and shared his sorrows and tion, by the thought of what his son was even his prayers. They wept in secret; and then probably suffering, of human toil and knowing how natural and deep must be his danger, in the hope to renovate the drooping grief, they were at more pains than ever to fortunes of the family, and with the strong solace him, at coming home, with their cheerdesire to pay off and be relieved of every ful and affectionate attentions. They toiled pecuniary obligation to a man he had learned incessantly to keep things together, spun and to despise, Jacob Downton addressed him- wove all the clothes of the family, while self with wonderful energy to the business Betty, the youngest sister, undertook the of his farm. He was up with the sun every tuition of little Robert; who, by the way, morning. Morning and evening he was in now began to do petty labours about the farm, the fields, following up and directing the la- and was sometimes dispatched to the post bours of his hands (negroes) and suffering office, whenever it was thought time to look nothing to escape his sight that was neces- for a letter from "Bubber Willy." All took sary to his interests. The neighbours passed their places, with cheerful love, in the harby and wondered at the energy he displayed. ness of necessity; and the sweet sympathies They said he even excelled his son, and he of the humble household, thus working tohad generally surpassed all the young men gether, constituted the only sweet seasoning about them. Old Downton extended his im- in the bitter of the cup from which they provements and ventured upon new ones. drank. Old Downton found it so. In manures he really made wonderful addi- "God," said he, "hath not abandoned us

tions to his resources, and paid more atten- quite. Let him take all,-so that he leaves

this dear love of children which is more pre- | suit me, and I'll allow you as much as you cious than any fortune-than any frankin- can get for it from any body else." cense and gold!"

66

Sam Ferguson wanted that piece more than a year ago, but I wouldn't sell it. I don't like to part with my land."

"Better part with your land than part with your negroes."

"Yes, if one or tother must go. But-" "What did Sam Ferguson offer for the piece?"

66

Four dollars an acre." "That's high!"

The year drew near to its close,-the first year after the departure of William Downton, and the cloud deepened over the little homestead. The winter opened upon it gloomily. The crop, as was to be expected, was short-shorter even than was feared. Instead of making twenty bags of cotton, as he had calculated, Jacob Downton made but nine; which, at an average of forty dollars a bag, yielded little more than enough to liquidate the interest on his bond to Barclay. Fortunately enough corn had been made to do (serve) the family; though it required to be stinted in feeding the cattle. "Ferguson; and, perhaps, a dozen more. In January Jacob took the interest money of But it's of more use to Ferguson than to any his bond to Peter; but the latter was not sat-body else, since it's the only way he has to isfied with this only. He demanded a part, his pine land fields."

at least, of the principal.

"You know, Jacob," said he, "I warned you that I should want some of the debt paid up."

"But what do you want with the principal, Peter, when you get the interest promptly paid?"

"Well that's for me to judge. Every man knows best what to do with his money."

"But, Peter, it's impossible! You see what a short crop I've made!"

"I see that you've been doing nothing but make short crops for the last five years, and I'm afraid you'll keep on so. Either you don't manage rightly or your farm's worn out. Had'nt you better sell it and look out

for another?"

"Sell my farm, that come to me from my father!" exclaimed old Downton indignantly—" you might as well ask me to sell my children."

"It's cheap! It's a first rate piece, and I won't sell it for that. If I have to sell I can get five for it any day."

"Can you? From whom?"

"Well, I do require it! I must have it: and I'll tell you what, Jacob, if Sam Ferguson is willing to give you five dollars for it let me know, and I'll allow you six,—just to show you that I'm not willing to be hard upon you."

The simple-minded Jacob was, indeed, persuaded to think that this offer was a proof of Peter's disposition to favor him. He did not know that there had been a long standing grudge between Ferguson and Barclay, which, at last sale day, had broken out into a downright quarrel at the court house, when "Well," continued Barclay doggedly, "I the former threatened to break every bone can't advise you only, you must find some in the body of his enemy. Barclay supway of paying me up a part of my princi- pressed this fact, and only added—“of course pal,-I want it, and I must have it."

"Why, Peter, do you want to break me up root and branch! Will you force me to sell a negro?"

"No! But why not sell some of your land. There's a corner now, making about a hundred acres, butting upon my bottom lands. It's no use to you. You never plant it. It'll

you musn't tell him what I offered you; that wouldn't be fair; for then you might be working between me and him, and making us rise upon each other."

"But I suppose I may tell him I think I can get six."

"Yes-you may do that, I reckon."
And so, for the time, the conference ended.

Jacob at once proceeded to Ferguson, and| "All going, little by little; lands now, and made him an offer of the track. Ferguson soon the negroes! Oh! my poor son, where renewed his old offer of four dollars. are you? Lord, Lord! why hast thou aban"Twon't do, Sam; you must go over that.]doned me, in mine old age, into the hands of I can get more." mine enemies!" But Sam was selfish; he knew that Down- The very next day Peter Barclay contrived ton was needy: he suspected that Barclay that Sam Ferguson should know of his purwas pushing him; and, with worldly policy, chase. Then it was that the latter, rushing he fancied he had the old man in his power. round to Downton, to get the news confirmed, He began to think that he could command the land at even a less price than four dollars, and began to claw off from his first proposition.

was taught how blind a thing is cupidity,how base a thing is that selfishness which believes no neighbour honest in his speech, where his interest is concerned. The repen"I'll give you the four, if you take the tance and the fury of Sam Ferguson were offer now, right away; but, if not, you won't fruitless. He swore bitterly, and could alfind me so ready to give that to-morrow. most have torn his hair with vexation. He But, Sam, I'm sure I can get five." anticipated all the annoyance which was to From whom? Name the man that'll be ensue to him from the land falling into the such a fool? hands of an enemy. That very week Peter "Well, I can't do that; but, I tell you, as Barclay proceeded to enclose it with a strong an honest man, Sam, I can get it." fence, making it a pasturage, and forbidding "Honesty aint no man's business when a all trespassers. This turned Sam Ferguson bargain 's to be made;" responded the moral from a short cut to his pine land fields, which, Sammy with a chuckle. "Perhaps you do hitherto, he had enjoyed without embarrassthink so, Jacob; perhaps not. It's enough ment. A law suit was the consequence, for me that I don't think so. Once more, I'll Sam contending for the right of way; but, give you the four dollars, as I offered you; as it was shown that he had only enjoyed and I won't back out from what I said; but this privilege through the indulgence of I warn you the offer stands good for to-day Downton, and that he had another, though a only. Wait 'till to-morrow, and it'll be much longer road to his fields, the case was three." decided against him. He had only his labour

Downton rose. "Sam Ferguson," said and vexation for his pains, to say nothing of he, "you'll be sorry by to-morrow that you the costs of suit. The lawyers alone had havn't taken my word. Good evening to found their profit from the cupidity of the you, and God be with you!" one and the revengeful spirit of the other

"Thank you, Jake, and the same to you! party! Good evening."

Jacob Downton went directly back to Barclay.

"The land's yours, Peter, at five dollars, since Sam won't go higher than four."

XII.

We must hurry over the events of another Peter laughed merrily. The devil had year. It was relieved to the suffering Downserved him faithfully. He had blank titles tons, by a letter from William in California, in his house, and a couple of neighbours were which had been months upon the route. He called in to witness the signature. Jacob wrote in good spirits, and said that his proBarclay was credited on the principal of his fits had been pretty good, and that his prosbond for a payment of $585, being the price pects were encouraging. His health, it reof 117 acres of land at five dollars an acre; joiced them particularly to hear, had been and, the deed done, poor Jacob Downton uniformly excellent. But he said nothing of moved on his way homeward at a snail's his return home, and his utter silence on this pace, while an avalanche of water seemed subject somewhat dashed their satisfaction settling on his heart. He murmured as she with the rest of the letter. The Downtons rodehad need of the consolation which it brought

them. Things were looking just as ever on to many things which might have vexed her; the luckless farmstead. In vain did the old and, though she gave them no encourageman toil and think, and think and toil, day ment of a positive kind, her meekness and and night, in the vain hope to extract pros- forbearance yet left upon the minds of all perity from his unprofitable acres. He did the impression that she would finally be pernot prosper, and his heart was daily more and suaded to give up the absent, and yield to more humbled by the continued adversity of the present lover. Her father frequently fortune. The season had been like the pre- scolded and quarrelled with her on this ceding. His crops again fell short. Of corn theme. Sometimes he even threatened; but and provisions he barely had enough. Of in our forest country few persons are ever cotton, he made barely a fourth of a crop, as really forced to marry against their will. in the past year. It brought fair prices, how- Society and public opinion interpose to proever, and he congratulated himself that he tect the daughter from the sacrifice of herhad still made enough money to liquidate self to gratify the ambition and the vanity, the interest on his bond to Barclay. But or appease the anger of a parent; precisely Barclay's temper, in regard to him, had un- as the same society and public opinion interdergone no change. He now required another pose to rebuke the maiden who perversely instalment of his principal. In fact, the old marries against the parent's consent. It was miser had become rather hostile to his debtor. this sort of influence which, tacitly, shielded He had become more earnest in his desire Ellen from absolute persecutions, on the subto promote the marriage of his daughter with ject of her suitor. For the present, therethe young doctor who continued to grow in fore, the burden of persecution fell upon the his esteem; particularly as he now assidu- venerable sire of the man she favored. Old ously ministered to that new-born vanity of Barclay had him in his power, and deterthe old man, which pleased itself with the mined to punish him for his own daughidea of exercising the power of money which ter's obstinacy. Accordingly, when Jacob he possessed in order to pass into a sphere Barclay came to pay his interest, he was of society to which he was not born. The rudely asked for another instalment of the sister of Dr. Lanham came from the neigh- principal. He again referred to his unprofitbouring district on a visit to Ellen, and able fields, his wasted years, his numerous brother and sister both labored, and skilfully, disappointments and misfortunes.

"I can't help all that, Jacob Downton. I lent you my money expecting to be paid, and I will be paid, I tell you. If the money is not forthcoming by next sale day, look to it, I shall foreclose, I warn you."

to pamper the late-born vanity of the father. They descended from their pride of place, having become pecuniarily reduced, in comparison with their former position and resources; and the desire to regain the means of familiar luxuries, led them to concessions to the old farmer's follies and vanities, which were in the last degree degrading. When aristocracy thus descends to court wealth, Downton groaned in his bitter agony. He for its own sake, it usually shows itself one saw that Barclay would never be content of the meanest things in nature. But they 'till he obtained complete possession of his humbled themselves without scruple-they farmstead,-that farmstead, which, having waited on the sick mother, they cringed to received from his father, he felt should prothe old miser, they strove to conciliate the perly descend to his children. He saw, also, young maiden, and, with all but her, they that, made insolent by prosperity, flattered were successful. But Ellen kept her faith by the attentions of people in higher station, with her lover and despised heartily the and conceiving that his debtor was in his finely-bred people, whom she saw resorting power, his creditor was prepared to throw to the basest modes of flattering her ignorant off the mask of old and neighbourly sympaand rough old father. She was meek, how-thies, and to show himself, in his true colours, ever, not passionate; bore in silence many as a hard and griping tyrant of the poor. He things which pained her; submitted quietly now felt himself strong enough in power to

What am I to do, Peter Barclay?"

"Sell! sell land. You don't want the half that you've got."