Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1855-12-15
sclctt Gale.
THE REWARD OF MFRIT.

Annie had arrived at the mature age of lido
not start. readpr.) twenty-sevpn. and yet in a
state of single blessedness. Somehow or 9TH
er she had not even fallen in love yet. Had
she no otfers?' What simple question -
Did you ever know half million Of dollars to
go begging? Offers? Yes. scores of them !.
1t may be accounted rs one of her Oddities
perhaps, but whenever the subject happened
to be touched upon by her father, Annie
would say that she wanted some one who
could love her for herself and she must have
assurance of this. and how could she in her
present position? Thus matters stood. when
Annie was led TO form aud execute what will
appear q very strange resolution but she
was u resoute girl. We must now go back
six years.
One dark, rainy morning in November, as
our old friend was looking composedly at the
cheerful fire in the CRATE of his countng.room.
really indulging in some serious reflections on
the past and future. the far future, too. gem
tleman presented himself. and inquired for
Mr. Bremen. The old man uttered not a
word, but merely bowed. There was that in
his looks which said II am he"
"rhe stranger might have been some thirty
years or ST. of age. lie was dressed in black,
mourning weed was on his hat, and there
was something in his appearance which seem.
ed to Indicate that the friend whose loss he
deplored had recently departed. The letter
Of introduction which he presented to Mr.. B
was quickly yet carefully perused. and as it
was somewhat unique, we shall take the lib.
erty of submitting il TO the inspection Of the
reader:
-. II mo-, lS-
FRIEND PAUL This will introduce to thee
my friend Charles Copeland. He has come
to thy city in pursuit Of business. ] have
known him from a youth mp. Thou mayest
depend upon for aught that he can do. and
shall not lean as on 'hroken reed If thou
cnnst do anything for him. thon mayest per.
adventure benefit thyself. and cause to rejoice
Thy former and present friend,
MICAH LOOMS"
at is not every one who can get old Micah
Loomis' endorsement on his character" said
Paul Bremen to himself ms he folded up the
letter of II wei known associate of former
days. "Old Micah is good for quarter of Il
million, or for anything else-it will do
want him-getting old. business increasing
must have some more help-now as well a;
any time"
The old gentleman looked at all this. MS ht
stood gazing in perfect silence on the man be
fore him. At length he opened his lips,
y
IL have had some few years experience"
ANY objection TO place here ?-prett,
close work-thousand year."
"None in the world"
when car you begin?'
"Now."
A real smile shone upon the old man.
face. 1t fingered there like the rays of tn,
setting sun among the clouds OF evening
: lighting up those seemingly hard, dark iea
lures.
A stool was pushed TO the new conner
books were opened, matters explained, direc
tions given, the pen was dipped in the ink
and in short, before an hour had passed away
you would have thought that the old man an,
the young man had known each other 70
years.
In reference to our new friend. il will b.
sufficient to remark that he haa been liberal
ly educated, as the phrase goes, and thoug
he hud entered early into business, he had no
neglected the cultivation of his mind an
heart. He had found time to cherish gen
eral acquaintance with the most note-worih h
authors of the day. both literary and religion,
and with many Of past times. After fey
; years Of success in the pursuits to which h
had devoted himself misfortunes came thic
and fast upon him. He found himself lei
with scarcely any property, and alone in tn
world. save his two lovely daughters.
A year after year passed away. he gre'
steadily in the confidence of his employee
who felt, though he said it not, that in him b
possessed treasure.
Very little. indeed, was said by either {
them not connected with the routine of bus
ness, and there had been no intercourse wha
ever between them, save In tho counting