Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1854-06-17
watch his handsome features as they work

ed and varied with his laboring thoughts.
Thus passed away three weeks. Every
evening Leila was sure 10 come into her
fathers study, and she was equally as sure
TO stay there till Robert went away. The
old man seemed indeed to be very blind to
the fact that these meetings were beginning
to resul. in something else beside the mere
transaction OF business.
swell, Robert" said MIR. Veazie, one
evening as the office was about being clo-
sed, "you can now have a short respite
from the confinement OF the counting
house. The affairs of the concern are all
settled, and we shall not start again under
two weeks, so you can have that lime to
yourself, to enjoy and improve as you see
fit."
81 thank you kindly, sir" returned
Robert, "though must say that | would
rather make myself busy than lay idle so
long"
"But you bavnN had resting spell be-
fore for four years.
"True, sir, but my mother and sister
need all my time, SO l can hardly afford 10
rest now"
"Well, never fear Robert, you Shanl
suffer loss.'
Veazie never held long arguments, and
from bis manner on the present occasion,
Robert knew that there was nothing more
to be said, so he put on his hat and started
homewar6.
The next day or the day after that, Rob-
ert Winsow took walk over the city, and
as he was returning home towards night, he
was accosted in the street by gentleman
whom he had frequently seen at the count
ing house transacting business with Mr..
Veazie.
"Mr. Winslow, believe" said the gen.
tleman.
"That is my name, SIR"
eyes, yes. remember"
"Mr. Veaze tells me you would proba-
bly, like 10 employ your time to some pecu-
mary advantage during your business va
cation"
"Indeed, should, sir" retorted Robert,
while bright ray of pleasure flashed over
his features.
"Then can offer you a rare chance-l
want you TO accompany me 10 Troy, there
to assist me in closing upthe books of a
heavy firm who have failed and left mat
ters at rather loose ends'
"And when do you want me to go 2"
'Oh, this very night. Now, in hall an
hour"
Roberts countenance fell as he said this,
and after moments thought, he said
81 cannot 60 so soon. If you could wait
two hours, Or postpone the matter till to-
morrow, would go.''
"That is impossible, Mr.. Winslow, for
the boat starts in half an hour, and the bu-
siness admits OF no postponement. Veazie
tells me that you would be just the man tc
unravel and straighten out these accounts
some of which have been hanging fol
years and are now put into the hands ol
the creditors in that dubious shape. vii
pay your expenses, and give you ten dol'
lars a day it you will go with me-"
81 cannot co." said Robert, in a some
what disappointed tone, but yet with deci'
sion, "for when l 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 ex
ceedingly at my absence"
"You will have time to drop her lin
by the penny post, informing her OF th'
cause OF your ABSENCE" remarked Durham
"The penny-post man does not 60 nea
my dwelling alter this hour" returne'
Robert, "No sir" he continued in de
cided tone, 81 cannot go. | would no
leave my mother TO suffer in ignorance o
my fate this whole night for hundre
) times the amount might earn by the la
Dor. thank you kindly for your consid
,, Grafton, and trust you will not blame m
for the result"
, "Of course cannot blame you," an
swered Durham, "though ! am sorry yo
cannot go. l thought you needed th
money"
$50 / do need money, sir" responde
the young man, with slightly fushe
face, ''but cannot take it at the sacrific
} of what | consider my filIal duty"
; "Very well,-I can find some one q
Troy who can do the work. Good even
ing, SIR"
Robert responded "good evening"" an
: then wended his way homeward. Th
! circumstances caused him some uneasine
for short time, but he soon forgot it, an
S on the next day he obtained frst-rai
, Job through the aid of Mr.. Veazie, in a
{ insurance office copying policies.
! Again Robert Winslow was al his des
{ in Mr.. Veazie's counting house. Busine
had commenced in good earnest, and theI
J was fair prospect of long continuanC
! of it. Nearly a week had passed away
e when one afternoon a young gentlema
K called IN 10 see MIR. Veaze, and RENAME
= in an earnest, close conversation with Il
" old man for full five minutes, and whs
he turned to 60 away, Robert thought |
u heard something like an cath drop fro
s, his lips.
,, ,, "Presuming puppy !" multered NJ
!, 'eaz'e, as he sank into a chair where b
~ young clerk was writing, and pushed ba,
ne rom his desk some dozen important pane,
~ "Why Robert, the fellow actually had A
y presumption 10 ask me for the hand of n
''r little Leila and oil he's worth in A
nd world Is fifteen thousand dollars. A
another bit Of real wealth does he po.ss
ri a pretty match Tor my daughter, truly.
Vi Tia, ha, ha."
Ier Robert Winslow's hand tremblsd, n
It's his lace erimsoned, as the old man spol
ns and be turned away 10 hide the emolis
lal he could not suppress. veaIis took