Kenosha tribune and telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1855-1855, 1855-06-07
From Baliou's Pictorial.
a STORY OF OLDEN TIMES.
BY FRANCIS A. DURIvAGE.

BY FRANCIS A. DURIvAGE.
Very many years ago-indeed, all III.
Ipersonages OF whom | am about to write
have long since been gathered to their faith
ers, there dwelt in New York, on the bank.
of East River, a retired merchant by the
name of Hermann Brinkerhoff. He had
been very prosperous in business, and the
! fruits of his industry and enterprise were
his bowrie, or country seat. with its farm
of twenty acres (now worth millions some
eighty thousand dollars, part of it in good
| gold safely locked in an iron strong box lei
into the wall of what would be termed his
/ study, and the remainder in bonds and
notes, convertible at maturity into solid
cash; for in the benighted days of which,
l write, there were nofancies, railroad stock
psylngten per cent one day and minus moth.
ing the next, none ofthese investments that
made every tenth man millionaires-on pa
per slow and sure was the humiliatine
motto of those high days of fogydom. 4
man of great consideration then was Brink
erhoif. Two or three times week he en-
tered a sort OF Noah's ark upon wheels
drawn by two Flanders horses, that did the
| blowing on his place, and driven by an old
white headed slave. temporarily elevated
from the corn field 10 the coach box, made
a sort of royal progress into town, where
even the school boys would recognize his
majestic three cornered hat, his awful wig,
and purple velvet coat, gold headed cane,
and rutfles. and the tiding run from mouth
to mouth that Hermann Brnkerhof had
come to town. After visit to some of
the principal haunts of Plu:us ana Cos
sip with some old cronieS of his own are
and standing, he would return to his man
sion vainer and prouder man than ever.
At home he was perfect au!ocrat. His
will was law and his frown was fate His
sway over his household was absolute as
that of Alexander Ii over his countless vas
sails. His wife never thought of contradict
ing him; AMI his servants stood in most
wholesome awe of his august dispeasure
de had but one child, a son, named after
the patron Saint of Manhattanese-Nich
las, Young Brinkerhoff was as unlike his
father as possible. Mild and gentle almost
to ctieminacy. he resembed his stern sire
in nothing but his commercial ability, and
even In his business transactions he exhib-
tied none of the harshness of the old man.
While serving out his mercantile appren-
ticcship, he resided at home, and rode to
and from the city on horseback, but when
he attained his majority. he gave so many
excellent reasons for establishing himself vt
Boston, that old Brinkerhoff, with great re-
luctance consented that he should remove
thiiher, though he entertained hereditary
and mortal hatred of the Yankees, and on
ly give into the arrangement from the Sc
cret that his son would crafty his prejudi-
ces by over-reachiug them in all his deal
ings.
Accordingly he lent him, not gave him,
money to establish himself in trade in Bos-
ton; but he exacted notes for his advances,
and required monthly statement Of his
transactions and his prospects.
Nicholas was very sorry to part with his
mother. but his satisfaction atescaping from
the iron rule of the homestead could hard
ly be concealed.
For time he was very regular in his
corresp ondence, but at last his letters be-
came very brief, and finally for a long time
he was silent. Old Brinkerhof stormed
and wrote furious letters. but he got no re
ply. At last, one morning, Mrs. Brinker-
hoif entered her husbands private room.
after going through the ceremony Of knock
ing at the door and receiving permission to
and her eyes showed traces of tears.
What is the matter with you, Mrs. Brin- !
kerhotf p asked her lord and master, stern
ly.
The poor woman essayed to speak, but
the forb;dding expression Of the iron face |
she gazed upon, froze the words upon her
lips. She trembled, and handed the letter
to her husband. Hastily thrusting his gold
bowed spectacles upon his nose, the mag
nate read as follows:
MY DEAR MoTHER:--a
You will be surprised to hear that am
married, but such is the case. Ny Young
wife is the most charming creature in the
world, and | should be perfectly happy i'll
YOU were only with u.s. Pray break this
matter to my father; assure him that tho
| have married a poor girl, she belongs to
one ofthe first New England families, and
does credit to her name. AS soon as can
possibly leave my business. shall come on
with my wife TO pay my respects to father
and yourself.
Il am sure. Hermann, faltered Mrs. Brn-
kerhot, laying her hand upon her husband
shoulder. though this matter was sudden.
and though Nicholas lid very wrong in
marrying without consulting you. you will
not be hard upon the poor boy. l am sure
Nicholas loves Won and
She stopped suddenly terrified at the e1-
preston of the old mans countenance.
Leave the room. Gertrude he cried,
harshly If it hadn't been for your pet
ting and encouraging him, he would not
have dared to do this. Begone! DONE stand
lingering therel am busy
Mrs Brinkerhoff Hed in terror The old
man turned to his writing desk, and indited
a brief letter to his Boston correspondent,
a lawyer, directing him to present his Ge.
mands on bis son for immediate payment
4 servant was dispatched to the city to
mail the document. A few DAYS after the
mail brought Brinkerhoff sletter from Mich
olas. 1t was long and explanatory, and