ge was valid, and that the party who claimed was his son. It was
true, Mr. Harvey observed, that Mr. Campbell might delay for some time
the restoration of the property, but that eventually it must be
surrendered.
As soon as Mr. Campbell received this letter, he went to his wife and
acquainted her with all that had been going on for some months, and with
the reasons which induced him to say nothing to her until the receipt of
Mr. Harvey's letter, which he now put into her hands, requesting her
opinion on the subject. Mrs. Campbell, after having read the letter,
replied--
"It appears, my dear husband, that we have been called to take
possession of a property, and to hold for many years that which belongs
to another. We are now called upon to give it up to the rightful owner.
You ask my opinion; surely there is no occasion to do that. We must of
course now, that we know the claim is just, do as we would be done by."
"That is, my dearest, we must surrender it at once, without any more
litigation. It certainly has been my feeling ever since I have read Mr.
Harvey's letter. Yet it is hard to be beggars."
"It _is_ hard, my dear husband, if we may use that term; but, at the
same time, it is the will of Heaven. We received the property supposing
it to have been our own; we have, I hope, not misused it during the time
it has been intrusted to us; and, since it pleases Heaven that we should
be deprived of it, let us, at all events, have the satisfaction of
acting conscientiously and justly, and trust to Him for our future
support."
"I will write immediately," replied Mr. Campbell, "to acquaint Mr.
Harvey, that although I litigated the point as long as the claim was
considered doubtful, now that he informs me that the other party is the
legal heir, I beg that all proceedings may be stopped, as I am willing
to give immediate possession."
"Do so, my dear," replied his wife, embracing him. "We may be poor, but
I trust we shall still be happy."
Mr. Campbell sat down and wrote the letter of instructions to his
solicitor, sealed it, and sent a groom with it to the post.
As soon as the servant had closed the door of the room, Mr. Campbell
covered his face with his hands.
"It is, indeed, a severe trial," said Mrs. Campbell, taking the hand of
her husband; "but you have done your duty."
"I care not for myself; I am thinking of my children."
"They must work," replied Mrs. Campbell. "Employment is happiness."
"Yes,
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