The Trevor Family;*

THE TREVOR FAMILY ;*

OR , HOW JIES , TREVOR SAW FKEEMASOSBY IS A NEW LIGHT , BY A MASTER "MASON . WESTERN village of one thousand inhabitants , with the usual quota of

A stores and shops , its two churches , one public house ancl graded school , does not require elaborate description . But even within such narrow limits may at times be found material for tragedy and comedy , for life pictures that may be made to edify ancl instruct the watchful observer . Such a village was Stanhope . It had sprung into existence some twelve years prior to the period of which we are writing , as the result of the building

of a new railroad , ancl had taken its name from the farmer who had owned the original plat , and whose boast it was that he had sown wheat where now stood the village schoolhouse . It had been the centre of a thriving trade before the panic came to depress business there , as elsewhere . Even such villages as Stanhope have their ruling spirits in business ancl politics—mon- who make the unwritten laws of the community , and who

crystallise and shape public opinion . Among the most active and influential of this class had been Harmon Trevor , Esq . Had been , we repeat , for on the day we introduce the village to the reader the remains of that justly honoured , citizen had been followed , to their last resting-place by almost the entire population of the village ancl a large number of the best people from the surrounding country . Harmon Trevor had been among the first to predict a thriving village at

that point , and , to make his prophecy good , he had erected a flouring and sawmill , kept a general store , bought grain , dealt in cattle , and speculated in village lots . With so many irons in the fire , it required skill and sound judgment to keep them all at the proper temperature . And as long as times were prosperous and trade active , Harmon Trevor succeeded in business , ancl was on the high road to wealth , or what would have been called wealth by that people . But the panic cameancl came without warning , as night comes in certain tropical

, lands , with no intervening twilight . And then began a struggle against adverse circumstances , and it was bravely met . He loved his family , ancl Harmon Trevor fought desperately against impending calamity . He had heretofore allowed himself needed rest ; but now , from early morn until late at night , he bent all his energies to concentrating his business , and adapting it to his rapidl y decreasing trade . If his wife quietly remonstrated with him

for his late hours and almost incessant t' -il , he would reply that he must provide for his loved ones , and with an affectionate kiss ancl a pleasant word , he again went forth to his toil ancl care . But the time came when the unstrung nerves would nq longer obey the set purpose of an iron will . The overtaxed brain refused to honour any further drafts upon it , ancl Harmon Trevor was stricken clown with the quick delirium of brain fever , and without a single rational word , without a single intimation of business , he lay upon , his bed , ancl went no more out until he was borne to his grave b y his mourninofamily ancl sympathising neighbours .