The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1856-08-28
From the WaveFley Magazine.
LILLE M0R TOE.
DT 4. Hi6oH.

1t was during my last visit to the city OF
New YoIk, that / met, after an interval Of
nearly twenty years, my former friend, Willie
Morton. Being engaged in the transaction Of
certain business in the bank Of NJ, my atten-
ton was attracted by the entrance OF man, =,
WHOSE features l seemed to recognize, still
they were SO i1distinct to my memory that
could not remember when or where ] had
seen him. He was Of svarsge size; his face
thin and shallow, on which a sordid smile
hovered care and anxiety had wriukled his
cheeks and brow, and his whole bearing was
that Of aman who was regardless Of all around
him. He walked bent. and appeared TO be
contemplating something of much importance.
noticed, after he had approached the coun-
ter aud demanded the check which he presen-
ted to be cashed, with what eagerness he seiz-
ed the money from the hands of the teller,
and with what eagerness he held it in bis
tightened fingers. His business being finish
ed, he departed as unceremoniously as he had
entered. His agitated manner, and the idea
that l had seen him before. induced me TO
inquire his name. learned from the teller
Of the bank that the mans name was Morton;
though he was known mostly throughout the
city as "Old Hardheart," having received
this cognomen from the grasping mode he
had Of making bargains, especially in cases
concerning the poor.
He had formerly been q noted banker in
Wall street; but having on one or two occa-
sons been unsuccessful in stocks, he had re-
tired from the precincts of that-to him un-
lucky-street A year since he had opened
a pawn-broker's establishment near Park
Place, and also it was well known that he
lent small sums of money, al the rate Of two
or three per cent monthly in fact, not only
Gid he deal in "blood money!" but added to
this. he was a selfish, illegal usurer.
At the mention of the name of Morton, my
mind ran back to the years of my youth, and
now the light began to dawn upon me-
1 again questioned the teller, and asked eff
he knew whether Morton had ever resided in
the country, or where he had been brought
upH"
"In the village of c.. in the county Of Or
ange, in this state. l Learned the particulars,
said the obliging teller. "from one of his for
mer clerks"
Is it possible-how changed, thought !, to
myself and on returning to my room, in the
A House, dwelt on what l had seen
and heard that day. The scenes of my boy
hood returned, and Notwithstanding the bus
tie and tumult with which l was surrounded,
/ lost myself in the meditation of the past
Though fifty years had visited me with all
their cares, woes, troubles and vexations, to-
day was young again with wondrous glee
did count and recount the joys and pleas
ures of years long gone. The form of many
former playmate, who had long since de-
parted to that better land, and Of many par
ticipator in my childish sports, who yet lived,
scattered up and down the ea,th, but who
were no longer friends to me only in the
memory Of my yonth, returned to my mind,
Among those Of the last was the form of the
happy and joyous Willie Morton and pom
dered long on his eheckered life.