The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1852-09-17
KALDA PUTNAM COUNTY OHIO, FRIDAY SEPTEMBER u 1852

gentleman called in TO see Mr.. Veazie
and remained in all earnest, close con-
versatlon with The old man for full five
minutes, and when he turned to 90 away
| Robert thought he heard something like
an oath drop from his lips.
"pfesuming puppyr' muttered Mr.,
Veszle, as he sank into a chair near
where his young clerk was wiring, and
and pushed back from his desk soma
dozen important papers, "Why, Robert,
the fellow actually had sne Presumption
10 ask me for the hand Of my little Leila;
land all he's worth in the world is fifteen
thousand dollars. Not another Bit Of
real wealth does he possess. A pretty
match for my daughter, truly! Ha, ha,
hat,
| Rober, Winslsows' hard trembled, and
his face crimsoned, as The old man spoke,
and he turned away to hide the emotions
he could noI suppress. Veazie took no
notice Of he youths manner, but having
delivered himself Of his blunt opinion, he
drew back the documents he had mo.
ment before pushed away from him, and
began TO examine their contents, willie
Robert tried 10 calm his nerves, SO us to
60 onwilh his business.
Towards nightfall, Mr.. Veazie pu,
away The papers he bad been inspec-
ting, and having locked them up in
his private desk, he began to pull on bis
gloves.
"Roberl,' said ne "are your evenings
engaged during the present week"
Not particularly" returned Robert, as
he wiped his pen and placed il behind
his ear.
81 wan, my own private accounts
posted up, and if you will do it, | will
amply compensate you for your extra
lubor.n
81 ask no compensation" sir. If you
will bring your books tomorrow, | will
take them home and post them with plea
sure"
"No, no,-you will have TO do il al
my own house. / don't wish 10 let nv
private books go from my sight. II will
take you but few evenings TO do the
whole, and besides you will need some
assistance in decyphering the various
accounts, for some of The entries have
made and some OF them have been made
by Leila"
81 cauld wish that the labor might
be done here, sir" said Robert, in a
.hesitating, nervous manner while a
strange commotion swept over bis coun-
tenance.
sDone here, sir?" iterated the old gen.
tleman. surprise. 81 do not understand
you. You found no fault when you Ia
bored at my house before. What have
you found now in the shape Of an objec-
toni" u 95
''Do not question me, sir; but pray,
grant me the fauor ask. Let me do The
writing here"
"This is strange whim, Robert. No,
sir, if you cannot do the work at my house
| must strain my cid eyes, and do it my
SELF" @
"Mr. Veazie. you misunderstood me,
indeed you do" uttered Robert in pain
ful tone.
"Thai can hardly be-" returned the
old gentleman with quiet smile, "since
| have no clue to understanding at ALL
But really.I should be under obligations
to you if you would inform me with
regard to the cause Of this curious af-
fair"
For full two minutes the young man
sat with his eyes bent to the floor, but
at Length he gazed up into the face Of
bis employer, and getting down from
his stool, he said while his eyes glisten-
ed with gathering moisture, and his lip
trembled:
e!Mr, Veazie, you have ever been kind
and considerale towards me, and 1 will
NOT now break the strict frankness and in
tegri,y which have thus marked all my
dealings with you. trust you will not
blame me, sir,nor think me presumptuous.
I did work for you at your own dwelling,
and you called your daughter 10 assist
me. Together Leila and myself exam
ined and compared notes, and then we.
conversed. Ere long, began to be anx-'
ious for the evening to come, that |
might be again at her side, and when
she came wita her joyous smile, her
happy look, and her swee, welcome, u
began 10 count the flying moments as
sands Of gold. almost prayed that thy
work might never have an end, so that
she might ever be my companion in its
and wien the labor did draw
to a close, | felt sad and lonely. Then
it was that my heart avoke to knowl-
edge Of its situation. ! had begun to
love the gentle being who had thus been
my unsonght companion-I had loved
her, and her image was on my heart. II
cannot deceive myself, sir, nor will /
prove unkind or ungenerous TO you. No
man can govern the strong emotions Of
the heats, though he may, it he be wise,
guard against the cause ofthose emotions
Mr.. Veazie, | dare no, subject myselfto
a love that must be hopeless, for poor as |
am, my heart is as susceptible Of deep and
a bidinr loun no thopa nf othnrc ,Nnu