The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1857-02-19

iihe was NOT suhdytng Tor the ministry, wha
was he doing, and how did be IlveI Wher,
did he get bis money! for twas known thu
TSh psid Gs he Mett, ,hashnt.h soil Of IN
acquainianees could accuse Nm Of borrow
ing, ...,--...f &, -.,....,,T ..-.-..s7..--,
These questions began 70 grow extremely
interesting and puzzling, for the manner, ia
which Tom had been cleaned out by hi.
speculation in Pottawotiamy Coal Stock, By
his friend, Peter Van Slcer, was US notori
Gus as his subsequent poverty and retiremen,
from the world. All sorts Of expedients
were resorted to for the purpose of fdiscover.
ing the secret of Toms income; but the
mystety rbafied the keeuest investigation
fhd the Consequence was, that.ithe widest
conceivable stbries were told about him, lnc
he was regarded with looks of suspicion, and
treated with cold disdsin by certain ladies
who had rharriugeuble daughters. The ex.
citement at last reached Its caIentura when
it was discovered thet Julia I.purens, ,daugh.
ter Of me celebrated and wealthy physician
of that name, ,and grand daughter Of old Or.
molr, the puctioneer, one Of the most beau
tiful and fascinating girls in society, had &C.
rually fallen in love with Tom, and that he
mad been forbidden her fathers house be-
cause he refused to tell how he gained his
income. A a-'igH ai5@ "'40v' e. ~
The report of this interesting circumstance
investedthc mystery Of Toms prosperity
with a romantic interest, and the excitemen,
became absolutely iurious.a Itwas impossi.
BILE to enter house without hearing the sub
5ect discussed, and even merchants talket
about it on Change. The different theories
which were broached were highly instrnc
tive, iAasmncA as they revealed the different
methods by which man may contrise tC
live without labori bat tso happened thai
not one Of them, came, within Thousand
miles Of the truth. Tom had, in fact, dis
covered placer, as he termed II, which hi
alone knew how to work. and most discreet
4 ~ did be keep his secret, until, IN luckles,
moment, the fAcrest accident revealed it.
| The women, poor simple minded crea
) turcs, knowing but little Of the World, haC
!. their own innocent sUrntses about Tom, the
J, most plausible of which was, that he had
entered into league with the -; some
others, who hud a less practical acquaintance
with human possibilities, believed that hi
got his money by writing poems for the mag
aziues; while others said that he. gambled
! But Toms regular habits and his placidin
; of temper were averse to the last supposi
ton. The men, Of course, gave shrcwde
guesses; and one party maintained, witl
some plausibility, that Tom nilief was eti
ployed as a Russian spy. The difficulty il
|, this case was, that he never received an,
foreign letters, was notoriously ignofoht o
:. political movements, and never mingled il
any society where he, would be, likely t
pick up any information that would interes
the Emperor of Russia. Another part
maintained that he speculated in stocks; bu
thai theory was easily knocked in the head
Tom had rot been in Wall street since hi
speculation in the Po,taWatatny Coal Stock
Some i'll natured people hinted that he wa
!, employed in circulating counterfeit lnoney
! but he was closely watched and never know
to pass off bad bill. He was accused Z
! picking pockets, of buying lottery tickets
/ and other disreputable practices; but N
!, strict integrity OF Toms conduct, and h
perfect frankness on all subjects concernin
bimself except that impehetrable mystery {
the source Of his income, put every ungent
!. rous suspicion to rest. He was watche
when he went from party or the cper,
= and was always found to 60 directly to h
lodgings, and there, too, would be found
). the morning. Julia Laurens' father had en-
!, ployed police officer to dog Toms foot
steps, and discover what his haunts wert
but the man could learn nothing more tina
was already known. There was one rath'
II striking peculiarity, however, about Tom
/ movements, which might lead to the disco
8, cry ,ei the mystery. Nobody had seen hir
in except on Sunday nights, between the hou
i'd ofseven and ten. Every place Of anus
ly ment inthe city |wos runsuckedin in vain, du
We ing these hours, but no sign Of Tom Dill
at could anywhere be fouRd, and he Contihn
It. to be subject Of talk in society, where
's was still we'll received in spite Of all Il
or evil things that were surmised about him.
n, Julia Lenrens was a spirited girl. and 81
In loved Tom the better, perhaps, because
e. was the object oF SO much Unjust suspicion
ed and her father, the doctor, was charmed
y. Toms Intelligence, his gentlemanly ma
cd ners, his fine taste, and bis amiability; o
by most happy would he have been to achnov
ed edge him as his son In law, but for the m.
n terious silence which be observed in resp,
n to his income. But, as Tom was resoll
ut in his silence. the father Of Julia was inc,
III rable, and there was nothing left for tht
de but clandestine marriage, The lady b
M ed at her willingness, but Tom told b
m dearly os he loved her, he would not be gui
rt, Of dshonorable act to obtain her.,
by would walt little longer, and perhaps
lily father would relent ,s,,..
,ueI To fully appreciate Toms noble condu
cir It should bc'Anown that Julia, in addition
a. ~. E.s.F F Aa