American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-04-12
PRICE 2 CENTS.
HOW PHILIP CLAYTON PUT HIS MONEY
OUT AT INTEREST.
BY GEORGIANA Q. MUNRO.
CONTINUED. |

one in his arms, and glanced out at the field OPP
posite, where Harry was yainly striving to draw
Frank from his sorrowfIl contemplation of the
sad dark spot before them. 81 do think of my
children; and that, if there were nothing else
would bid me act as | am doing For think
Hetty, that one of our beloved ones might have
been left desolate as Frank has been And
think also, Hetty, that we know not how much
they may yet be dependent on the kindness and
bounty of others. And this thought alone would
make me do to Frank as would should be done
unto my own children"
But this will only make them poorer and
more likely to be so dependent" urged Mrs.
Clayton in a tone of feebler remonstrance.
"Oh, lIetty," said her husband 81 wonder
that with so much love there can be such devo-
ton to Mammon in that kind little heart! Do
you forget that poverty and riches depend on
mightier will than ours ?"
"Then | suppose it must be So" sighed Hen
rietta "But it must be a long while yet be-
fore we can have any money out at interest. :"
Clayton did not answer; but he had learned
to know this was indeed bitter disappoint-
ment However, the letters were written, in
quiries were made, and by using every exertion
he got Frank most advantageousy placed on
board ship trading to the East
Five or six months after, Clayton received q
letter by some encountered vessel, full of the
outpourings of young hearts gratitude; and
a year after there came another, but it was the
last In another year Clayton wrote to the
owners, when he heard that the ship had been
chartered and employed in going from one part
of India to another, but that accident to
Frank Allen had been reported. So, as his own
letters to Frank remained unanswered, Clayton
supposed that his young charge had grown
weary of gratitude. Yet, though Henrietta
sometimes drily intimated that it was an un-
merited return for all his kindness, Philip never
regretted the part which he had acted, for he
wanted not gratitude and thanks, but merely
the consciousness Of having done right, and the
approval of his own heart. This was pleasanter
to him than the qualification Of her darling
wish-the having money at interest, which had
been at last attained-was to his pretty, gentle,
and amiable, but anxious and calculating Wife,
How quickly years glide away, and how soon
people are forgotten when they are no longer
seen. 1t took little time for Frank to pass from
every ones remembrance but the Claytons.
And then Clayton moved TO a distant seaport
town, where a higher salary was given him by
another bank, and he and his were soon forgot
ten.
The ieeting years were pleasant to the Clay
tons. Their children grew up fair and prom
ising. Already Harry was in solicitors office,
an articed clerk; the younger boy, William,
was to he u medical man; and the little Violet
was as lovely and modest as her name-hower.
And Henrietta had another happiness-they
had laid by many hundreds now; and it was
not merely the usual interest that was received
for them, for Clayton had been admitted to
share, though a very trifing one, in the concern,
and the sum, small as it was, that he invested,
returned him per centage far larger than that
given to depositors.
But sunshine cannot last forever. The first
cloud was a change in Clayton's health. Sc
we're illness, followed by a stroke of paralysis,
left him with his powers of mind unimpaired,
but so infrm as to preclude all hope of future
cxertion. Then what comfort il was that they
had so well guarded against an evil day. And
what n satisfaction that Clayton had obtained
the small share in the banking concern, now
that he could do nothing to make an income
and the mere interest of their savings would
have been very little for their support But
within q couple of years the bank broke, and
| all was lost the trihing share which had seemed
such blessing only serving TO make ruin more
complete for he was involved in the liabilities,
and the policy of Insurance. which had always
rendered his mind easy on his wifes account,
was taken from them.
Still there was their sons-HaTy, two-and-
twenty and William, seventeen-who were eager
to exert themselves for their parents and sister
| but n situation in the custom-house was OBJ
tanned, enabling him to be at once an assistance
10 the family. And Harry was in high hopes
that he should get into practice as solicitor,
| for which he was now qualified. lie appeared
| to be doing so for few months when an cleo
ton came on, during which portion Of the
hustngs fell, and Henry Clayton was carried
home, living indeed, but with spinal injury
with which he might linger on for years, but
only to grieve over the thought OF being bur
then to those he hoped to have supported
Williams small salary was now their only
resource. To add to it, Violet went out as q
morning -governess, though her youth made her
| reward but trifing. SO passed another year,
and still Harry, at nearly four-and-twenty, lay
dead weight on the struggling efforts OF his
Young brother and sister, without hope OF re-
] coyery, or-he would often have said, but for
4 fear of grieying those who loved him-even a
hope of death. Clayton retained much OF his
former chcerfulness, and strove TO support the
spirits and courage Of his son under this pain
| ful trial while for his sake also the fond mother
| checked her own repinings, and stroye to give
their humble dwelling the comfort and the home
look which it formerly wore.
One day the captain of n ship at the custom
house quay came into the long room, as it was
called, where William was writing The cap
tain was transactng some business concerning
his ship, and while thus engaged, the clerk ne
was speaking to asked Clayton by name Tor
paper that was required.
Clayton" repeated the captain : II IS
long time since | heard that name though
know and like il well hope you won't think
it curiosity, if | ask your fathers name'''
at is Philip Clayton replied the youth
at must be the same-and you are Will
linn - exclaimed the sailor, grasping his hand
!, Tell me only that all are well"
A shade came over Williams face.
"My father is not in good health, and my
brother is ill.," he answered sadly.
The joyful look Of the sailor was dimmed
/ also.
/ ~ -, u. IL. =. 10 4hnn he snid L