The Southern Enterprise

Interesting Stories.
A Pretty Story.

Well, I think it's likely; but don't tease
me any more. Your brother has married a
poor girl, one whom I forbade him to marry.
and I won't forgive him if they starve togeth-
er.'
This speech was addressed to a lovely girl
scarcely eighteen, beautiful as the lily that
hides itself beneath the dark waters. She
was parting the silvery locks on her father's
high, handsome forehead, of which her own
was a miniature, and pleading the cause of
her delinquent brother, who had married in
opposition to her father's will, and conse-
quently been disinherited. Mr. Wheatly
was a rich old gentleman, a resident of Bos-
ton. He was a fat, good natured old fellow
somewhat given to the mirth and wine, and
sat in his arm-chair from morning until
night, smoking his pipe and reading the
newspapers. Sometimes a story of his own
exploits in our revolutionary battles filled up
a passing hour. He had two children, the
disobedient son, and the beautiful girl before
spoken of. The fond girl went on pleading:
'Dear father, do forgive him;—you don't
know what a beautiful girl he has married,
and—
'I think it's likely,' said the old man. 'but
don't tease me, and open the door—a little
this plaugy room smokes so.'
'Well,' continued Ellen 'won't you just see
her now—she is so good, and the little boy,
he looks so innocent.
'What do you say?' interrupted the father:
'a boy! have I a grandchild? Why Ellen, I
never knew that before! but I think it's likely.
Well, now give me my chocolate, and then
go to your music lesson.'
Ellen left him. The old man's heart be-
gan to relent.
'Well, he went on, 'Charles was always a
good boy, a little wild or so at college, but I
indulged him; and he was always good to
his old father, for all, but he disobeyed me
by marrying this poor girl: yet as my old
friend and fellow-soldier, Tom Bonner used
to say, we must forgive. Poor Tom! I
would give all the old shoes I have got, to
know what ever become of him. If I could
but find him or one of his children! Heav-
en grant they are not suffering! This
plaquy smoky room, how my eyes water!—
If I did but know who this girl was that my
Charles has married; but I have never heard
her name. I'll find out and—
'I think it's likely,' said the old man.
Ellen led into the room a beautiful boy, a-
bout three years old. His curly hair and
rosy cheeks could not but make one love him.
'Who is that?' said the old man wiping
his eyes.
That
that is Charles' boy,' said El-
len, throwing one of her arms around her
father's neck, while on the other she placed
the child on his knee. The child looked
tenderly up in his face and lisped out:
'Grandpa, what makes you cry so?'
The old man clasped the child to his bo-
som, kissed him again and again. After
this emotion had a little subsided, he bade
the child tell his name.
'Thomas Bonner Wheatly,' said the boy.
'I am named after grandpa.
'What do I hear?' said the old man,
'Thomas Bonner your grandfather?'
'Yes,' lisped the boy, and he lives with ma,
at
'Get me my cane,' said the old man, 'and
come Ellen; be quick child.'
They started off at a quick pace, which
soon brought them to the poor, though neat
lodgings of his son. There he beheld his
old friend, Thomas Bonner, seated in one
corner, weaving baskets, while his swathed
limbs showed how unable he was to perform
his necessary task. His lovely daughter, the
wife of Charles, was preparing their frugal
meal, and Charles was out seeking employ-
ment to support his needy family.
'It's all my fault,' sobbed the old man as he
embraced his friend, who was petrified with
amazement.
'Come,' said Mr. Wheatly, 'come all of
you home with me, we will live together.
there is plenty of room in my house for us
all.'
'Oh, how happy we shall be!' she exclaim-
ed. 'Ellen and father will love our little
Thomas so, and he'll be your pet, won't he
father?
'Ay,' said the old man, I think it's very
likely.'