Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-02-15
STAR
THE FRIEND OF THE FAMILY.

"He ment no harm, Helen; it was only a
little pleasantly, replied Mrs. Littleton.
don't care what it was; if he does ii
again, I'll slap his face for him, that will 10
"You must not offend him, Helen"
eyes, Twill. mean to offend him on pur-
pose. Perhaps he will let me alone them
But you must remember, child, that he is
the friend of the family
Humph / should think he was wish
father would drive him out of the house"
| What should We have been without
Enough sight better of than we are now
He is a nuisance, a regular bloodsucker he
is great black spider, that builds pretty
houses for little dies, and then sucks the life
| out of them.''
You don't understand it, Helen, or you
| would not say SO"
Yes, L do understand it," replied the
wiiful girl; "and mean to drive him out of
| the house too"
. Don't be rash, Helen; you must treat him
with a little more respect. He has threatened
to leave US once or twice, you know"
al wish he would"
What would become Of your father then! ,
" He would be great deal better of than
he is now.''
"He has lent him large sums of money"
- At compound interest, taking a mortgage
on the very bed upon which he slept" ada
ed Helen.
He would have failed long ago, if il had
not been for Mr.. Dillenburg'
" He had better fail than be bled to death
There, he's coming; don't be rude to him,
Helen" added her mother. Remember thai
he is the friend of the family"
:, So my little puss, have caught you again"
said Mr.. Dillenburg, as he bounced into the
room, and grasped the arm of Helen.
We don't blame the pert Miss for disliking
him, for it would be hard to find a more re-
pulsive looking individual, even in the mad
house.
Let me alone!' said Helen, springing
from his grasp.
Don't be waspish, little one, replied Mr.
Dillenburg, as he caught her again.
" Let me alone, you old fool ," cried the
prosecuted maiden.
What"
g Don't be - rude, Helen" )" interposed Mrs.
Littleton.
Madam, such language is highly i'm pro-
per, said the friend Of the family, his cheek
flushed with anger.
1t was something new for him to hear
harsh epithet applied to himself, even in jest
He had always been treated with the most
profound respect
" Don't mind her, Mr.. Dillenburg; she does
not mean anything" said Mrs. Littleton,
anxiously.
6" Yes, do, mother 1 mean just what say.
he is an old fool, an impertinent old bear ~
ger.
Madam, your house can be no longer my
home :" roared Mr.. Dillenburg ,smarting with
rage. "I shall leave, madam shall leave
you ,''
" hope you will,' sobbed Helen
Mrs. Littleton was so stuck up hat she did
not know what to say, or to whom she would
hat 70 tha
the wilful daughter.
=" shall leave, madam, / shall leave 1
have been the friend of the family long enough
If this is my happiness for your sakes, and
now you permit me to be insulted 30
Mr.. Dillenburg, 1 am ruined, unless you
can assist me-" exclaimed Mr.. Littleton,
rushing into the room, without needing the
storm that had just burst there. "Will you
help me out again"
"No, sir - replied Mr.. Dillenburg as he
suddenly turned on his heel and left the
room.
There, Helen, you see what you have
done :" said Mrs. Littleton.
The state of the case was explained to ker
father.
You have ruinsd me, my child % acclaim
ed Mr.. Littleton, bitterly.
81 could not indure his insults
"Insults?''
q He did not insult you, Helen; he was only
fooling with you" added Mrs Littleton.
"You have ruined yourself and me, child"
Nay, father, do not say So" sobbed Hell
He is bachelor, and without near heirs.
Don't you see he would have left his money
to US"
g cannot help it, father; he would not let
me aione.''
The conversation was here interrupted by
the arrival of Charles Brooks, a young gem
tleman, whose mission will be understood
when We say that Helen blushed deeply as ne
entered He was now twenty-one, and had
just come into the possession of pTincely for
tune, and the Littletons would have consid-
cred it q desirable connection, only that they
entirely distrusted his motives. He stopped
but half an hour-had only dropped in to in
vite Helen to concert in the evening.
Mr.. Dillenburg appeared again in the sit
ting room soon after the departure of Helen's
beau. By the way, that same beau was one
of the causes of her dislike to thief of the
family. When Charles Brooks had commenced
paving marked attentions TO her. Mr. DilIen-
burg deemed it his duty to interfere. He OBJ
jected very strongly, and from him had come
that distrust of the lovers motives which the
parents both harbored. /
Whether the old bachelor intended to marry
her himself, or whether he was afraid he should
not be permitted to Hirt with her If she had
lover, we cannot pretend to say; but no sooner
had he interfered in the affair, than the latter
was fully realized. He had from her child
hood made her his pet, and as she grew older,
his familiarities became repulsive to her But
she endured them till he expressed doubt Of
Charles Brooks honesty, and then be was
perseveringly repulsed.
Mr.. DiIlenburg entered the room. He look
ed as cold and reserved as an iceberg, and as
intractable as grizzly bear. .
"You owe me some i've hundred dollars,
Mr.. Littleton The time has expired: / want
the money" .
The debtor stood aghast.
al shall expect the money in three days."
he continued. .-
"You know it is impossible fo- me to pay
you" replied Littleton, gloomily.
81 know nothing about it. The money, or
L shall take possession of your goods }"
You would not take the furniture ont of
my house ?n
:" will, ifyou don't pay me in three days"
/" Consider, SIR" -. g. .e..