Joseph and His Friend

ne of the volumes he had procured for his slender library at home, leaned back in his seat and took note of his fellow-travellers. Since he began to approach the usual destiny of men, they had a

fe. Most of them were strangers to each other, and as reticent (in their railway conventionality) as himself; yet, he reflected, the whole range of passion, pleasure, and suffer

and not likely to be fooled by any kind of sentimental nonsense." The thin, not very well-dressed man beside him, with the irregular features and uncertain expression, announced as clearly, to any who could read: "I am weak, like others, but I never consciously did any harm. I just manage to get along in the world, but if I only had a chance, I might make somet

awakening passions and hopes. But Joseph consoled himself with the thought that his own secret was as little to be discovered as any they might have. If they were still ignorant, o

dle gentleman. His hair, golden in tint, thrust its short locks as it pleased about a smooth, frank forehead; the eyes were dark gray, and the mouth, partly hidden by a mustache, at once firm and full. He was moderately handsome, yet it was not of that which Joseph thought; he felt that there was more of developed character and a richer past history expressed in those features than in

of those that met them. He fancied that he read in them, in that momentary flash, what he had never before found in the eyes of strangers,—a simple, human interest, above curiosity and above mistrust.

hrown into them again by a quick succession of violent jolts. Joseph saw the stranger springing towards the bell-rope; then he and all others seemed to be whirling over each

n his ears; but it was only a passive sensation, without the will to know more. Then he felt himself partly lifted and his head supported, and presently a soft warmth fell upon the region of his heart. T

, and the hand (as he now knew it

orehead, and at the same time

: your head is cut!" e

out of my pocket and tie it up; but f

tle and strong hands raised him, a flask was set to his lips, and he drank mechanically,

ve. Arms and legs all right,—impossible to tell about the ribs. There! now put

pside down; the passengers had been extricated from it, and were now busy in aiding the few who were injured. The train had stopped and was waiting on the track

ked Joseph: "where was

feet so luckily that I somehow escaped the hardest shock. I don't think I lost my senses for a moment. When we came to the bot

re you not

nd said: "It must have been one of the splinters; I know nothing about it. But there is no

rs had been conveyed to the train; the

" said the stranger. "You must let me take

ew support, had come to his life. The face upon which he looked was no longer strange; the hand which had rested on his heart was warm with kindred blood. Inv

my name is Philip Held. I was on my way to Oa

also!" Joseph exclaimed,

rge and furnace at Coventry, which is for sale. If the company who employ me decide to

the road up the valley is the most beautiful in our

our years, and long for a quiet, ordered life. It is a good omen that I have found a neighbor in advance of my settlement. I have oft

now very little of the world. It must be ea

"a class to which I should not care to belong. I begin to think that nothing is very valuable, th

twenty-three," Joseph remarked. "You

t us measure ourselves or our experience against each other. That is one good thing we learn in Rocky Mountain life; there is no high or low, knowledge or ignorance, except what applies to the needs of men who come toge

train reached Oakland Station. When the two got upon the platform, they found Dennis waiting for Joseph, with a light country vehicle. The news of the accident had reached the station, and his dismay was great when he saw the two bloody faces. A physician h

ed for a day or two, very sore and a little feverish. He had plenty of time for thought,—not precisely of the kind which his aunt suspected, for out of pure, honest interest in his welfare, she took a step which proved to be of doubtful benefit. If he had not been so innocent,—if he had not been quite as unconscious of his inner nature as he was over-conscious of his external self,—he would have perceived that his thou

ing hand. My first thought was to go directly to you; but ma said we had better wait for intelligence. Unless our engagement were generally known, it would give rise to remarks,—in short, I need not repeat to you all the worldly reasons with which she opposed me; but, oh, how I longed for the right to be at your side, and assure myself that the dreadful, dreadful danger has passed! Pa was quite

o thrust the scented sheet into his pocket; and the bright eyes and flushed face with which he met the Rev. Mr. Chaffinch convin

ch other; and his eyes, so long uplifted above the concerns of this world, had ceased to vary their expression materially for the sake of any human interest. All this had been expected of him, and he had simply done his best to meet the requirements of the floc

ies concerning Joseph's bodily condition

hope you feel that it is a solemn

id of death,"

th includes what comes after it,—jud

; but I have done noth

h; yet it may be that grace has reached you," s

heard you preach, a month ago, was upon the nullity of all good works, all Christian deeds; you called them 'rags, dust, and ashes,' and declared that man is save

th!" exclaimed Mr. Ch

verently, "and that is onl

mprehend it, or to the conflict with downright doubt and denial. A nature so seemingly open to the influences of the Spirit, yet inflexibly closed to certain points of doctrine, was something of a problem to

friendly manner, as he took leave: "We will talk again when you are

ark. His mind is cloudy, but we find that the vaniti

n whether to be hopeful or discouraged by Mr. Chaffinch's words, stole into the room, but went about on tiptoe, supposi

ou suppose I we

sound asleep. I suppose to see about

ination, though the foolish blood ran ros

m. But for the rosy sign on his cheeks and t

e finally uttered,

earest chair, drew two or three long breaths,

is almost a surprise to myself. But you and she seemed

th her!" Rachel exclaimed. "It is

d I have learned to know her well in a short time. Isn

reverse now: but a farmer's wif

s love a bright, amiable, very intelligent girl, who is delighted with country life, eage

risk," said Rachel; but s

she wished. If she were a farmer's daughter, with different ideas of housekeeping, it might bring trouble to both of us. But n

to the prospect. After awhile she came across the room, leaned over him,