JEHOSOPHAT.

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Issue 10, 8 December 1877, Page 4

JEHOSOPHAT.

" Du.vw it mild mother. Draw it mild," sdl S [iiiiv llardtist, depiveatingly, bestowing til" maternal title upon Mrs. Siiuire HardrUt, who stood in the door of the long, low New England kitchen, giving someone what she was plex->ed to term ,; a piece of her mind." The individual upou whom she was bestowing this gratuity sat upon the fence, his elbows resting upon the knees of his dilapidated 'jeans," while his toil-stained hands suppoited his chin, lie was a young man, hut just at this moment lie lacked that air of spirit and buoyancy supposed to belong to youth. His face was not a bad one, hut there now rested upou it an expression of ..ullen carelessness that for the time tendered it repellent. " Yes, Jehosophat Smith, it's for your own good I'm talkin' plain, and you'll see the day you'll acknowledge it yourself. Why don't you go away somewhere, and make * suthin' of yourself, 'sted of haugin' round here doin' odd jobbs, and tryin' to write for newspapers that won't pay you enough to buy yer salt ? And it's my opinion what they do pay YOU is more than yer 'seribblin" is worth. The idea of your thinking ' vour're' the making of an author. Boy, veer foolish, and ther unperdence, the unheard-of itnperdence of askin' kin you have our Sail. Our Sail! ' you '! Mr. Jehosophat Smith, you'd better take Horace Greeley's advice, and ' Go West.'"

And with this highly consoling bit of , advice the indignant Mis. Squire slammed ] the door, leaving Mr. Smith to ivali.se the 1 magnitude of his presumption ami repent , at leisure. Jehosophat was not affected i to tears; on the contrary, the hardened , youth smiled a grim .sort of a smile, and , muttered—- " Thus endcth our discourse," un- , consciously using the words with which . he had so often heard Parson Straight- , lace conclude his "sixteenth and lastly." ( Then Jehosophat slid from the fence, , and slowly walked away down the muddy ( country road. On either side extended c ■were the broad meadows and fertile • field.- of Squire Hardfist, the richest man , in Harlem, and the nabob of that ] country side. As Jebosophat's eyes j wandered over these wide poaessions, j perhaps it did not occur to him that ho | was in some degree presumptuous, for a , sigh escaped his lips and the lines about his mouth became set and rigid with the c intensity of suppressed emotion. His ; hand fell upon his breast, and heedless of ( all save his own trouble, he wandered on | while the shadows of the coming night s fell around him. Suddenly his head was t lifted, his form became erect and his step resolute. Some determination had been ) formed in bis mind, and the body had ] followed the influence of its great ; director. Before him was a .small • dilapidated house. It was his home, but , never before did it look so mean and • poon in his eyes as it did this night. He entered the building ; a lire smouldered ] upon the hearth, and a hungry cur , crouched before the dying embers, but roused himself at his master's coming, and gave tokens of bis joy. This was all the coming home he had know for years. To-night the sense of friendless "loneliness came home to bis heart with twofold force. In all the wide world there were none whom he could claim as his kindred. He was, indeed, " alone." He felt like a criminal, and his crime was poverty. He seated himself before the fire, but made no effort to kindle it. From his pocket he drew a letter. Now, instead of opening it at once, he examined the directions, the postmark, and the seal, then fell to wondering from whom it came. His thoughts were evidently upon something else. At last he bethought himself that there was a communication inside, and he opened it. The letter was from a former schoolmate, and was post-marked San Francisco, California. It ran as f <dlows :—• '•DeAK.JoS, —Here I am. Most wonderful place. Left New York or wouldn't be here. " Money ? " Any quantify. My dear boj, come on next mail—l mean steamer. Inclosed is the wherewith. Take it as a loan, &c." Then followed a description about as glowing, and fully as truthful as the " Arabian Nights," and the letter was signed—- " J. Hubert Fitztiu-fusiss." In the letter was a draft on New York for two hundred dollars. The letter and its contents seemed like a godsend to Jehosophat. Here was an opportunity to better his condition, perhaps. '• Yes. I'll go. I'll follow Mrs. Hardfisfs direction. I'll 'Go West I' " The dawn of the following day found Jehosophat up and doing, making preparations for departure. His belongings were packed in an old oil-cloth travelling bag, and with it in his hand ho started on foot for the nearest railway station. But he could not leave without one word of parting from the squire's lovely daughter. The squire's house was upon the route he proposed taking. When ho reached it he entered the grounds and bent his steps to the " Spring House," and there, as he expected, he found the blooming country beauty daintly.skimming the golden cream. Sho blushed and started with pleased surprise at her lover's entrance, but there was that in his looks that told her something unusual had occurred, and she came forward with an anxious inquiry. " Sallio," he said, " I am going awaygoing away to seek my fortune among the goldlields of California. Your father and mother were right—l am not a suitable person to wed tho rich man's only daughter, but for all that J love her tenderly, devotedly. Will she wait for me I "

■ Wait I'..i you Job , the will wait fur vmi always, Bad b>r ever i..\.- vu. bat- —" Tin' net of Ur- maiden's unv mi 'cut short by the shrill voice of Mis. , Hardfist calling, " Sarah, Sarah ! " ami tiny heard the sound of coming foot- ;

" It is vour mother," said Jehosophat. " She will be angry if she sees me here. Good-bye, darling, jzood-bye." With one long, loving embrace they parted, and the glorious sun-light of the new-born day fell through the window, bathing them in the joyous light of its hopeful smile.

On one-of Uie principal streets of San Fnuicisco, at the time of which we write, there stood a building devoted to • offices. Over one of its numerous doors | hung a splendid ornamental sign, upon , which was inscribed in gold tetters, " J. j Hubert Fitztrufusiss, Agent," and tluvt , Wits all. The public were left in blissful , ignorance as to what particular agency , was therein attended to. J. Hubert ' Fitztrufusiss might be a "book pirate,'' a " sewing machine gorilla," or an " insurance shai-p," for aught one could learn from the sign, and it was the proud boast of Mr. Fitztrufusiss' life that " few people knew what his , was." His friends privately hinted that , it was doubtful if Mr. Fitztrufusiss' own mind was clear upon this point. Within the richly-furnished office sat the gentleman himself. His heels were resting upon a table some few feet higher than his head. His easy chair was pitched back to a corresponding angle, and he was smoking a eigar. He was a young man, and ho wore a plug hat over his curly head. His whiskers were "a la Anglais," and his pantaloons were tight, witli immense " spring bottoms." His coat was 'of brown velvet, and was a French " cut-away " of the latest style. Mr. Fitztrufusiss was a slender youth, and his ambition wits to be thought a man about town, with no principle, a first-class dandy " who had drained the cup of sociai wickedness," and was " blase." But this was only put on for effe. t Mr. Fitztrufusiss makes it a practice to read his Bible and say his prayers. This is a secret which he most jealously guards, and no doubt he would feel very much confused if it got out among his friends. Suddenly the door of the office Wits opened, and our friend Jehosophat Smith entered. Now, Mr. Fitztrufusiss claimed that never since he drew on his first pair of boots had he been surprised at anything that occurred upon this terrestrial sphere. He claimed that he was proof against all that emotion of th,c human heart, but as he shook hands with his friend he betrayed all the surprise and friendliness of an ordinary mortal. " De-lighted to see you, old boy. Didn't expect you so soon. Happy ali the same, you know. Just in time for dinnah. Favour me with your company at my humble hotel. I'll send for your baggage, and you can make your toilet at my rooms. Splendid barber in same hotel. I've seen a great many barbel's, and 1 think I may say with a degree of certainty, bordering upou the positive, that you will find him first-class." Thus spake J. Hubert, 'while Jehosophat regarded him with that astonishment witli which one views a curious animal. At last he said, " I have no baggage save this travelling bag. I thank you for your kindness, and will go with you to your rooms." "No baggage?" gasped Fitztrufusiss, and then for the first time, it occurred to ! • him that his friend was poor. With a i delicacy and kindness of heart that underlay all his vanity he said ? " Oh ' ■ certainly, I never travel with baggage ■ myself (he always did); such an inconvenience on a journey. Experienced travellers never carry anything but an oilcloth bag. I have one exactly like yours. Had it made to order, mast con- ■ venient thing in the world; but come ' along," and he marched Jehosophat off to the most fashionable hotel. Although i Jehosophat was travel-stained,, his toilet i was completed long before Mr. Fitztrufusiss had put the finishing touches upon ' his own elaborate make-up. They went ) down to dinner and while there Fitztru- • fusiss took occasion to inform some of his friends in wdiispers that " Jehosophat was an eccentric from the east, awful ' rich, strangest fellow in the world, din't ' care anything about style." For a day • or two Fitztrufusiss devoted himself to > entertaining Jehosophat. At the end of - that time the latter intimated a desire to <• pick up some of the gold that might be lying around loose. Whereupon Mr. 1 F'itztrufusiss became very solemn, and - with an air of profound mystery proa ceeded to lock and bolt the office door, i while Jehosophat watched him with 1 astonishment. After making all secure, I- F'itztrufusiss unlocked a drawer in his 0 desk and drew forth a sheet of paper, f which he handed to Jehosophat, saying, ' " There's gold ; there's a scheme in which e there's wealth untold. Bead it." Jehoso--1 phat read the paper. It was simply " this:— 0 " The Great Western Intelligencer and J Universal Journal of California." J. Hubert Fitztrufusiss, editor and pro--1 prietor. Jehosophat regarded his benefactor 1 with a look of blank amazement, and then laughed outright, but seeing Fitz- _ trufusiss look of iiyured innocence, he , checked his amusement, and inquired, I " Well, how do you propose to get money t out of this ?" i " Why, that's as plain as day. That's I the name of my paper that is to be. You \ are to lie my silent partner. You have a knack of writing tilings, you know. I

furnish the money, yon furnish the brains and we divide tin- profits."

Then Mr. Fitztrufusiss entered into an ehbotate statement of Ins idea for starting a newspaper, which was as practical as that young man's ideas usually were.

Jehosophat endeavoured to argue him out of the notion, but in vain. Nothing ' but actual trial would convince him that his enterprise would not prove a success. This conversation aliout the paper was followed by many ottos upon the same subject, and finally Jehosopbat consented to try it. Accordingly the first number was issued, but Mr. Fitztrufusiss consented that the name of the paper should be "The Western News." The first nuniluT did not contain a single line written by Fitztrufusiss, and we may add that it never did. Jehosopbat wrote the editorial, made the selections, and superintended all the work. Contrary to Jehosophat's expectations the paper created a sensation, and at the end of the year " The Western News" was no longer an experiment, but an established fact. It was soon a paving institution, and bade fair to earn for its proprietor a good income. Mr. Fitstrufusiss took all the honor of its success noon himself, but Jehosophat received half the profits, and was content. During all this time' Jehosopbat hadn't forgotten the squire's daughter, but one fact troubled him greatly. He had never received but one letter from the lovely Sallie, although he had written ninny times. About this time it occurred to Mr. Fitztrufusiss that as he was an editor he ought to travel. Accordingly cue fine day he was missed from his accustomed haunts, and the newspapers stated that he had journeyed eastward. It so happened in the course of his wanderings he visited Harlem, Jehosophat's native place, and the house of his betrothed. Mr. Fitztrufusiss stopped at the country inn, and among other things his attention was attracted to the notice of a sheriff's sale. The property was described in glowing terms, ami was none other than the splendid farm, houses, and personal property of Squire Hardfist. An unlucky speculation in certain railway stocks had turned the wheel of fortune', and the rich man of yesterday was the poor man of to-day.

Mr. Fitztrufusiss determined to look at the property before the sale, and the next morning he drove to the " Hardfist Place." Leaving his horse in the care of his driver, he entered the yard, and walked up the broad pathway "that led to the front entrance. Through the vine-covered window came t' e sound of voices, and drawing nearer, he beheld a scene that riveted his attention and caused him to pause. And th?B is what he saw. An :a 1 lady Ml

tears ; a strong man with his head bowed upon his hands in deepest dejection :ind despair; a young and beautiful girl with her arms around his neck striving to comfort him. Mr. Fitztrufusiss was a romantic youth. " Here was a romance in real life, and why should he not become its hero. Purchase the property, and present it to the old gent. Receive the everlasting gratitude of the old folks, and, of course, the young lady would fall in love with their generous benefactor. Marry her, and return a hero, with the prettiest wife in the country." The above-mentioned programme ran through Mr. Fitztrufusiss's mind, and he retraced his steps to his carriage and returned to the inn without further delay. The following day was the sale, and Mr. Fitztrufusiss was on hand. He outbid everybody else, and to the disgust of some creditors who wished to get a valuable property for a fraction of its real value, the property was knocked down to him. Straightway thereafter Mr. Fitztrufusiss called and informed Squire llardrist that he was now the owner of the property, hut requested as a favour that the squire should continue to reside upon the place and manage it as heretofore, giving him an absurdly small share of the profits as rent. Of course the family was overjoyed at the generosity and wonderful friendliness of Mr. Fitztrufusiss, and thus he made Sally's acquaintance under the most favorable circumstances. He became a constant visitor, and all saw that Sally was the object of his attention. Now Sally regarded him as the benefactor that he was, and felt under the greatest obligations to him; but as for love, that could never be. She had given her heart to another, as the reader knows. She found herself in a most embarrassing position. She wished to show her regard and gratitude, and she dreaded to wound so true a friend by refusing his proffered love. The squire encouraged Mr. Fitztrufusiss' suit and expostulated with Snllie, and commanded her to accept Mr. Fitztrufusiss' attentions. In this his wife joined him. Finally Mr. Fitztrufusiss formally proposed to the squire for his daughter's hand in marriage, provided she should consent, and that evening he proposed to ask Sallie the momentous question. He got himself up regardless of expense, and sought the abode of his lady-love. A conversation accidentally overheard had caused his acquaintance, and drawn him here. Another conversation was fated to send him away a wiser if not a happier num. As he paused before the door, with the knocker in his hand, these words in Sallio's voice fell upon his ear-—" Father, 1 can never love Mr. F'itzlnifusiss. 1 love another. As you know, I am the promised brido of Jehosophat Smith, (ireat as is my gratitude to Mr, Fitztrufusiss for his Iciuduess to me. I can never he his wife '" llulK'rt Fitztrufusiss, notwithstanding his vanity and unbounded self-conceit,

m pctueased of certain noble ami generous qualities that many a man who Peered at tin- affected little dandy might will have been proud of. He loved Sallie moat devotedly, and wiien the wolds that We have recorded fell uimui his ears, he staggered as if someone had dealt bun a cruel blow, and his face tow white with emotion, hut in a moment his nobler stature asserted itself, and striking his chest with his clenched hand he muttered : " Hubert, bo a man, and come out strung. Brace up and do your duty like a gentleman." Then ho entered the room and confronted the surprised family. " I overheard the name of my friend ami paltrier, Mr. Smith, mentioned just pow. Miss Sallie, believe me, that was the first intimation I had of his acquaintance here. In view of this, I call to bid you all good-bye, as I return to the West to-morrow. I shall send Mr. Smith out as soon as possible, and I trust that Miss Sallie will pardon me for the pain I have unintentionally caused her." He turned and was about to leave the room, but Sallie came forward and took his band.

" Mr. Fitztrufusiss," she said, " you are the noblest, most generous, of men. I shall remember you as my best friend." " Sallie," he replied, and his voice betrayed the insensity of his feelings—- " Sallie, 1 shall never forget you. 1 go away a heart-broken man —life—Is —not —worth —living —now." Then, with a sudden impulse, ho drew her to his heart, and kissed her, and without another word he left the room, while Sallie watched him as best she could through her teal's, until his figure disappeared in the distance. And thus ended Mr. Fitztrufusiss' little romance in the East. Jehosophat and Sallie now live in California, Mr. Fitztrufusiss sold the " Hardfist Place " to Jehosophat on long time, and the latter has sold it to its original owner, his father-in-law, Squire Hardfist. This time next year the last payment will be made, and the squire will once more be a " man of property." Jehosophat has prospered, and is now one of the " solid men " of San Francisco. Mr. Fitztrufusiss has repeatedly tried to persuade Jehosophat to spell his name S-m-y-t-h-e. "It looks so much more stylish than that common name 'Smith' you know."