Joseph and His Friend

ouncing that he was satisfied with the forge and furnace, and the sale would doubtless be consummated in a short time. He did not, however, expect to ta

after his first hearty rejoicing over Joseph's escape and recovery, he relapsed into a silent but not unfriendly mood. The two young men climbed the long h

rmers never get to the end of discussing; but both felt the impendence of more important themes, and, neve

But I can't yet make clear to myself that I s

ime seem lo

cently answered;

ceal a melancholy smile; it was a

d, "are you sure, qui

to mar

rmth you feel now seem like ice compared to it,—how would you be able to fight it? I asked the question of myself for you. I don't think I'm much different from most soft-hearted men,

ards him with wid

he day I should dread lest something might come between us; I should prowl around her house day after day, to be sure tha

power to comfort you; if I give you pain unknowingly, tell me how to avoid it! I meant to ask you to stand beside me

hance to measure myself with her, and to guess—sometimes this and sometimes that—what it is that she needs to find in me. Force of will is of no use; as to faithfulness,—why, wha

you are quite well acquainted, and

aid: "I've got the notion in my head; maybe it's foolish, but there it is. I talked a good deal with Miss Blessing, it's tr

ly imagination. Why not be candid, and admit that the dislike is on your side? I am sorry for it, since Julia w

t as a piece of good luck for you. I've found that there are men, all, maybe, as honest and outspoken as they need be; yet two of 'em will talk at different marks and never fully understand each other, and other two will naturally talk right straight at the same m

said Joseph, not fully comprehendi

, overseer of a railroad gang, leader in a prayer-meeting (if he'd consent), or whatever else you choose, and he'll do the business as if he was used to it!

ugh success. Not three months had passed since they rode together through the twilight to Warriner's, and already life was opening to them,—but how differently! Joseph endeavored to make the most kindly allowance for his friend's mood, and to persua

er you meant to have the news of your engagement circulated

hen the mischief is already done, if it is a mischief. It is well, therefo

d with tears in his eyes, said: "Don't remember anything against me,

become a restraint. If so, she must bear his unkindness: it was the only sacrifice he could not make, for he felt sure that his intercourse with he

impossible to watch Lucy while he said, as simply as possible, that Joseph Asten seemed very happy over the prospect of the marriage; that he was old enough to take a wife; and if Miss Blessing could adapt herself to

attracted by mutual unlikeness. This seems to me to be a cas

le way of persuadin

, with unusual ener

d, and yet f

ging him—with many apologies for asking such a mark of confidence on so short an acquaintan

later the followin

es; I want to say how heartily I return the feeling which prompted you to ask me, and yet how embarrassed I am that I cannot unconditionally say, "Yes, with all my heart!" My great, astounding surprise is, to find you about to be married to Miss Julia Blessing,—a young lady whom I once knew. And the embarrassment is this: I knew her under circumstances (in which she was not personally concerned, however) which might possibly

grieved than you can imagine that it happens so. You will probably come to the city a da

your

ip H

uld not resist the feeling that another shadow hung over the aspects of his future. Perhaps he had exaggerated Elwood's unaccountable dislike to Julia, which had only been implied, not spoken; but here was a positive estrangement on the part of the man who was so suddenly nea

g which time he tormented himself by imagining the wildest reasons for her silence.

ree now; we had no idea that you were an intimate friend of Mr. Held, (I can't think how ever you should have become acquainted!) and it seems to break open old wounds,—none of mine, fortunately, for I have none. As Mr. Held leaves the question in our hands, there is, you

nything now, but I know what she thinks, and so does ma; however, Mr. Held has so dropped out of city life that it is not important. I suppose everything must be dim in his memory now; you do not write to me much that he related. How strange that he should be your friend! They say my dress is lovely, but I am sure I should like a plain muslin just as well. I shall only breathe freely when I get back to the quiet of the country, (and your—our charming home, and dear, good Aunt

lia clung to him as a deliverer from conditions with which her nature had little sympathy. Her incoherence, he fancied, arose from an agitation which he could very well understand, and his answer was intended to soothe and encourage her. It was difficult to let Philip know that his services would not be requir

pure and perfect to admit the possibility of changing the course of his destiny. Whatever the gossip of the neighborhood might have been, he heard nothing of it that was not agreeable. His aunt was entirely reconciled to a wife who would not immediately, and probably not for a long time, interfere with her a

was subordinate in interest to the men who came every quarter of an hour, bringing bouquets, and silver spoons with cards attached, and pasteboard boxes containing frosted cakes. Even Julia's society he was only allowed to enjoy by scanty instalments; she was perpetually summoned by her mother or Clementina, to consult about some indescribable figment of dress. Mr.

: "We can't complain of all this confusion, when it's for

comfortably disposed in an arm-chair, with a book and a cigar. "Ah!" he exclaimed,

said Joseph; "it gives me t

l me how this came to pass. You see I ha

so gently that it seemed to come as an assistance. When all had been told, he rose and commenced walking slowly up and down the room

as a young fellow of twenty when I knew the Blessings, and I don't attach the slightest importance, now, to anything that happened. Even if I did, Miss Julia

age, and was startled by the involuntary arithmetic which revea

nder that she should come to prefer a quiet country life to such ups and downs as the family has known. Generally, a woman

rtifying the fact to himself as much as to

t him with grav

n I do?"

d you do?"

is no faith between us that need be limited, there is no truth too secret to be veiled. A man's perfect friendship is rarer than a woman's love, and most hearts are conte

h could n

ype="