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Jerome: a Poor Man: Lawrence

In those days he worked like a tiger, for he was in love. That meant he had become a conqueror of all foes in his path and achiever of the impossible. Lucina Merritt had come home from school and he had seen her in church. Lucina Merritt was a very great beauty and her father contrived to deck her out like one. He bought a little white horse for her. Then Lawrence Prescott came home, and was often seen cantering about with Lucina, on a blooded horse his father owned.

Jerome worked harder. Occasions multiplied during which he and Lucina met. At first she wondered at him obviously with dilating blue eyes; then she began to blush softly.

Jerome's looks at her could have but one meaning.

In the mean time Elmira Edwards had her own little romance with Lawrence Prescott, but it promised to be an unhappy one. Lawrence was threatened with disinheritance, and Elimira dismissed him. Then she fell ill, and that night was in a high fever. Lawrence came and she did not know him. Lawrence went home and had a scene with his father.

As under the circumstances Prescott could not be employed, a doctor from Westbrook was sent for. Elmira was ill several weeks. Lawrence and his mother were assiduous in care and attention.

Her illness cost so much that Jerome had not been able to make good the deficit caused by a loan to Ozias Lamb, to prevent a foreclosure of a mortgage on his little home. The loan had postponed his mill. Sometimes Jerome reflected with bitter amusement upon the bet made in the village store a few years ago. Egged on by some village wags, Doctor Prescott and Simon Basset had signed before Lawyer Means a document whereby they promised to pay, for the benefit of the poor, ten thousand apiece, if Jerome Edwards should every have twenty-five thousand and give it all away.

Jerome thought it the safest business deal in all creation. Meanwhile he worked to shard he seldom saw Lucina. He had not the time to call upon her. He was sure that they understood each other, although no formal engagement had been made. He was sure that Lucina understood that he could not call because he was working so hard for her sake. But Lucina did not understand. She grew thin and pale, and her parents, fearing a decline, sent her West for a change. But he was not sure when she returned from the West, looking blooming, and sent him a little note informing him sweetly but firmly that they would be friends but nothing more.

Even then Jerome did not believe. His faith in the girl was almost sublime. However, he made no attempt to see her and did not answer the letter. He worked harder and harder.

The mill was built and work began. Jerome set himself a certain sum to be earned before he went to see Lucina.