The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-08-31

|
yourself. in order to enjoy and improve it
as you may see fit"
IL thank you kindly, SIR" returned Rob-
ert, .'though must say that would much
rather make myself busy than to lay idle
so long,
But you haven't had resting spell be-
fore for iour years.
True, sir, but my mother and sister are
in need Of all my time, so cannot afford
to rest now
We'll. never fear, Robert, you shall not
suffer loss'
Veazie never held long arguments, and
from his manner on the present occasion
Robert knew that there was nothing more
to be said, so he put on his hat and start
ed homeward.
The next day, or the day after that. as
Robert Winslow took a walk over to the
city, and as he was returning home, about
night, he was accosted in the street by a
gentleman whom he had frequently seen
at the counting room transacting business
wit Mr.. Veazie.
This is Mr.. Winslow, believe said
the gentleman.
'That is my name. sir
'And mine is Dunham. You have seen
me at your counting house,
Yes. sir, remember
'Mr. Veazie tells me you would proba-
bly, like TO employ your time to some Pc
cuniary advantage during your business
vacation
Indeed should, SIR returned Robert,
while a bright ray Of pleasure flashed over
his features.
Then can offer you a rare chance.
want you to accompany me TO Troy.
there to assist me in closing up the books
Of heavy firm who have failed and LETT
matters at loose end
when do you want me to go?'
This very night-now, in half an hour
Roberts countenance fell as he heard
this, and after moments thought he ex
claimed:
Il 'Icannot go so soon. lfyou could wait
two hours, or postpone the matter till to-
morrow, would CO.
That is impossible, Mr.. Winslow, for
the boat starts in half an hour, and the bu-
siness admits Of no disappointment. We
azie tells me you would be just the man to
unravel and straighten out these accounts.
some of which has been hanging on for
years, and are now put into the hands OF
the creditors in that dubious shape. |
will pay your expenses and give you ten
dollars day, if you will go with me-
4 cannot CO. said Robert. in a some
what disappointed tone. but yet with'deci-
sion, for when | came away this morning
promised my mother that | would return
before dark. My sister is away. and as
my mother is quite weak, she would suffer
al my absence
You will have time to drop her line
| by the penny post, informing her of the
cause of your absence, exclaimed Dun
ham. kf
/ The penny postman does not 60 near
my dwelling after this hour returned he
No, sir, cannot go. i would not leave
my mother 10 suffer in ignorance of my
doings this whole night for an hundred
times the amount might earn by my la
Dor. | thank you kindly for your consid
Grafton. and | trust you will not blame me
| for the result
.Ot course cannot blame you.' answer
ed Mr.. Durham. though | am sorry you
cannot 60. thought you needed the
money
so do need the money. sir respond
ed the young man, with slightly flushed
face. .but Izcannot take it at the sacrifice
Of my filal duty
Very well, can find some one in Troy
who can do the work. Good evening"
Robert responded to good evening"
and then wended his way homeward. The
circumstance caused him some uneaspess
for short time. but he soon forgot it, and
on the next day he obtained first rate
job through the kind aid Of Mr.. Veszie, at
neighboring insurance Office, in copying
policies.
| Again Robert Winslow was at his desk
in Mr.. Veazie's counting house. Business
had now commenced in good earnest, and
there was fair prospect of a long contin-
uance Of it. Nearly week had passed
away when one afternoon young gentle
man called in to see Mr.. Veazie, and re-
mained in an earnest, close conversation
with the old man for full five minutes; and
when he turnedto go away, Robert thought
he heard something like an oath drop
from his lips.
! .Presuming puppy!' muttered Mr.. Yea
zie, as he sank into chair near where his
young clerk was writing. and pushed back
from bis desk some dozen unimportant
papers. why, Robert, the fellow actual
| ly had the presumption to ask me for the
hand Of my Leila, and all he is worth in
the world is fifteen thousand dollars! A
pretty match for my daughter. truly! Ha!
ha! ha!'
Robert Winslow's hand trembled and
his face crimsoned as the old men spoke,
and he turned away to hide the emotions
he could not suppress. Veazie took no
notice of the youths manner, but, having
delivered himself Of his blunt opinion, he
drew back the documents he had the mo-
ment before pushed away from him. while
Robert tried to calm his nerves so as to
60 on with his business.
Towards nightfall Mr.. Veazie put away
the papers he had been inspecting, and
locked them up in his private desk, he be-
gan to pull on his gloves.
Robert said he, 'are your evenings
engaged during the present weeks
Not particularly returned Robert, as
ha winod his nan and n1aced. II hohind his