honest parents, however low, would have been no ignominy in this free country; but to be what he is will prove, I am afraid, an obstacle to his rising in the world."

"But, husband, no one knows of that ignominious birth but ourselves, and that through Robert's confidence. The world can never know it, and place it as an obstacle."`

"Well, well, we will hope for the best; but the world always finds out what is against a man. But here he comes."

"I am sorry," said Robert, "to have outstayed my time; but when you hear of my business, you will not blame me."

"It must have been prosperous and successful, to judge by your looks."

"That must depend upon circumstances hereafter. But to the facts. In studying the new work on minerals that I have lately obtained, I ascertained that certain external indications of soil and appearances of the water accompanied the presence of iron ore. Knowing how expensive it was for us to cart all our ore over the mountains from the Plympton ore bed, whence we have always obtained it, I was in hopes to find some nearer home; and I had formed that hope

open

from some recollections of similar indications in
the low ground to the east of South mountain.
Yesterday I went there, and find there is an ex-
tensive bed of the brown iron ore lying in that
valley. Here are specimens of it; and, if it
as well as these will indicate, it is as good as the
Plympton ore. I found that the land was owned
by Captain Foster, of Clairville. To-day I went
down to see him, being determined promptly to
purchase the land at once. Captain Foster owns
a number of acres next to South mountain, ex-
tending back almost to your land, and running
south to the turnpike, most of it on the south slope
of the hills. I reasoned, that even if there was
but little ore there, the wood might pay the inter-
est on the money, and more too, if made into
charcoal. The captain, at first, asked seven dol-
I paid
lars an acre, but I finally got it for five.
him seventy dollars down, which is all the money
I am worth, and he agreed to take my note for
the remainder, to pay when I could."

"How was it that Captain Foster was willing to take your note, he is called a pretty tight man ?"

"I suppose," said Robert, looking down, "he remembered that I saved the life of his son a few

1

months ago, when he came near drowning in our millpond."

"Oh, Robert!" said Mrs. Curtis, "you were born to be a blessing to every one! I do not wonder that all are ready to do you a service, when you have done so much for others."

"That explains it," said Mr. Curtis. "But, Robert, you must not be in debt for that land. I will advance the money: for if you can find ore so near our furnace, it will be of incalculable advantage to us, and will make you a rich man."

We need hardly say that Robert's knowledge of mineralogy was too accurate to have been mistaken. The new bed of brown oxyde of iron opened to the best advantage, and the South mountain iron ore soon became famous over the county, and supplied other furnaces besides that of Curtis and Woods, which new firm was announced in the county papers, and soon became one of the richest in the neighbourhood.

In the course of the next year or two, Robert's temporal prosperity was farther increased by the discovery of a chalybeate spring on his ground, near the south turnpike road. He cleared the soil in its vicinity, built a slight wooden edifice over the spring, and recommended its waters to

the neighbouring sick. Smithson was the first to cure his rheumatism by its efficacy; and soon its reputation was spread abroad, and its throng of visiters so increased, that a hotel was erected by Curtis and Woods, and tenanted by a respectable landlord. Smithson was stationed as manager of the spring. Houses sprang up around the hotel, all erected on Robert's ground. Visiters from a distance were attracted by the reputation of the spring, and detained by the romantic scenery of the mountains and mills, which Robert took care to beautify, simply and yet elegantly, leaving to nature all her beauties, and calling in the assistance of art but very sparingly, and that in the most judicious manner.

So the 'poor-house boy' was now a rich landed proprietor; even at twenty-three, partner in a wealthy firm; accumulating property, and managing it with judgment, sharing it in charity with all that were needy; a blessing to all around, beloved and respected; all from energy of character and soundness of mind, united with virtuous habits and affectionate manners.

And how did his demon tempter feel at all this success? Chagrined, mortified, alarmed; angry at Robert and at the conclave of Pandemonium

for placing him in such a situation; endeavouring to oppose his son in his success, but in vain ; and thwarting his plans just enough to keep him from self-confidence and pride, and to lead him to deeper thoughts and sounder decisions.

CHAPTER XXXIV.

STRANGERS AT THE SPRINGS.

As Robert was one day standing on the piazza of his new hotel, watching the coming in of the weekly stage, desirous of seeing a person on business, a splendid travelling-carriage, with four horses and out-riders, came sweeping up the long avenue to the hotel. An elderly gentleman and a young lady were its only tenants. Upon inquiry whether they could obtain rooms, they alighted, and passed near where Robert was standing. He scarcely looked at the father, so struck was he by the splendid and perfect beauty of the daughter. Tall, rather largely formed,