XXXIV.
HOW PAUL GOES BACK TO WRENVILLE.
While 'Squire Conant was speaking, Paul formed a sudden resolution. Heremembered that Aunt Lucy Lee was a sister of 'Squire Conant. Perhaps,in his present frame of mind, it might be possible to induce him to dosomething for her.
"I believe I am acquainted with a sister of yours, 'Squire Conant," hecommenced.
"Ha!" exclaimed the 'Squire.
"Mrs. Lucy Lee."
"Yes," was the slow reply; "she is my sister. Where did you meet her?"
"At the Wrenville Poorhouse."
"How long ago?"
"About six years since."
"Is she there, still?"
"Yes, sir. Since I have been in New York, I have heard from herfrequently. I am going from here to visit her. Have you any message,sir? I am sure she would be glad to hear from you."
"She shall hear from me," said the 'Squire in a low voice. "Sit down,and I will write her a letter which, I hope, will not prove unwelcome."
Five minutes afterwards he handed Paul an open letter.
"You may read it," he said, abruptly.
"You have been a better friend to my sister than I. You shall witness mylate reparation."
The letter was as follows:----
CEDARVILLE, JAN 13, 18--.
MY DEAR SISTER:--
I hope you will forgive me for my long neglect. It is not fitting thatwhile I am possessed of abundant means you should longer remain thetenant of an almshouse. I send you by the bearer of this note, PaulPrescott, who, I understand, is a friend of yours, the sum of threehundred dollars. The same sum will be sent you annually. I hope it willbe sufficient to maintain you comfortably. I shall endeavor to call uponyou soon, and meanwhile remain, Your affectionate brother,
EZEKIEL CONANT.
Paul read this letter with grateful joy. It seemed almost to good to betrue. Aunt Lucy would be released from the petty tyranny of Mrs. Mudge'shousehold, and perhaps--he felt almost sure Aunt Hester would be willingto receive her as a boarder, thus insuring her a peaceful and happy homein her declining years.
"Oh, sir," said he, seizing 'Squire Conant's hand, "you cannot tell howhappy you have made me."
"It is what I ought to have done before. Here is the money referred toin the letter,--three hundred dollars,--mind you don't lose it."
"I will take every care, sir."
"You may tell my sister that I shall be happy to have her write me."
"I will, sir."
Paul left 'Squire Conant's house, feeling that he had great cause forjoy. The 'Squire's refusal to receive more than half the debt, left himmaster of over three hundred dollars. But I am not sure whether he didnot rejoice even more over the good fortune which had come to Aunt LucyLee, whose kindness to him, in his unfriended boyhood, he would everhold in grateful remembrance. He enjoyed in anticipation the joywhich he knew Aunt Lucy would feel when the change in her fortunes wascommunicated to her. He knew also how great would be the chagrin of Mr.and Mrs. Mudge, when they found that the meek old lady whom they hatedwas about to be rescued from their clutches. On the whole, Paul feltthat this was the happiest day of his life. It was a satisfaction tofeel that the good fortune of his early friend was all due to his ownintercession.
He was able to take the cars to a point four miles distant fromWrenville. On getting out on the platform he inquired whether there wasa livery stable near by. He was directed to one but a few rods distant.Entering he asked, "Can you let me have a horse and chaise to go toWrenville?"
"Yes, sir," said the groom.
"Let me have the best horse in the stable," said Paul, "and charge meaccordingly."
"Yes, sir," said the groom, respectfully, judging from Paul's dress andtone that he was a young gentleman of fortune.
A spirited animal was brought out, and Paul was soon seated in thechaise driving along the Wrenville road. Paul's city friends wouldhardly have recognized their economical acquaintance in the well-dressedyoung man who now sat behind a fast horse, putting him through his bestpaces. It might have been a weakness in Paul, but he remembered themanner in which he left Wrenville, an unfriended boy, compelled to flyfrom persecution under the cover of darkness, and he felt a certainpride in showing the Mudges that his circumstances were now entirelychanged. It was over this very road that he had walked with his littlebundle, in the early morning, six years before. It seemed to him almostlike a dream.
At length he reached Wrenville. Though he had not been there for sixyears, he recognized the places that had once been familiar to him. Buteverything seemed to have dwindled. Accustomed to large city warehouses,the houses in the village seemed very diminutive. Even 'Squire BenjaminNewcome's house, which he had once regarded as a stately mansion, nowlooked like a very ordinary dwelling.
As he rode up the main street of the village, many eyes were fixedupon him and his carriage, but no one thought of recognizing, inthe well-dressed youth, the boy who had run away from the WrenvillePoorhouse.