Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-12-03
5...ss EATON, PREBLE COUNTY, O. DEC, 8, 1857


.a.ra .rsr baa .-r.i EATON,
i velvet, and glittering brightly in tn
: sunshine, was drawn up opposite tn
, door, waiting to take the great banke
} to his rich palatial home. The spirite'
/ horse, foaming and prancing, coul,
hardly be curbed, and the driver look
ed wonderingly toward the door, an
lnarveled why his usually -punctual mas
ter did not come. "- --"
. Mr.. Arnet stood in little Office open
ing from the main bank, where the Ion.
rows of clerks were bending oyer thei
desks. He had been looking over.
little pocket book which he always car
ried about him, for some note or; bill
and as he turned its page, bit Of fold
ed paper dropped out. So =
The banker opened it, and although
\ twenty years had deafleRsfa,
Ilst % 5gsQSys Ia tears shed to al.
teyes as they, fell on. the contents. A
pencil church, rpdeIand unfinished, of
meek browed child-7a lock of soft brown
hair and that perfumed dust of a Grim.
son rose-these were dearer to the bank
er than his vaults of yellow gold. -
AS he looked at them, a tremulous
voice without arrested his ear. ,,+.. g,
II would be glad if you, would buy
gentlemen, for my need is very great
have sickly daughter at home who
must be fed. 80
BE off about your business, was
the sharp rejoinder. II won't let you
in. Don't you sec yon are not wanted
here p -.
The voice seemed to strike respon
siye chord in the rich mans heart
surely he had heard its mild tones be-
FORE He partially opened the door,
and called out sternly /, o.. -ap-rr ,...;t
Mr.. Waters, show that gentleman ia
if you please "
The abashed clerk obeyed, not with
out SURPRISE and the bowed old man,
with his heavy basket of Strawberries,
came humbly into the private-room of
the great banker. r
"Will you take chair sir ?" politely
inquired Mr.. Arnet, moving forward a
luxurious fauteit. Ill -r.ag.
The old man took of his hat, apollo
getically. =. t...... - @
''Sir, I fear that. I, intrude on your
valuable time. If you would buy some
of my fruit-necessity, you know, is
strong, and my poverty is extreme. l
was not always in such position. f,....
Mr.. Arnet watche ihe proud turn
of that gray head with singular smile
then sitting down to his desk, he wrote
off check, and handed it across the
table l.. .-.rr .s-.- -f
';One thousand doIlars!" faltered the,
old man, as he read, turning red and
white in breath He held it toward
the banker Sir, 1 hoped you were
too much of gentleman to make sport
of age and distress. Is. there anything
to jest about in my want? ?''
''Not at all, sir You spoke of
sickly daughter. have cottage va
cant, just outside the city, with foun-
tain, grounds and observatory. If you
and your daughter will occupy it, rent
free, shall be very glad to have you
take care of it for me-
The old man stood white and breath
less, as if in dream. In an instant
his hands was taken in the warm clasp
of the great banker.
My friend, my bcnefactor. you have
forgotten me, but my youthful memory
is stronger than yours. Is it possible
that you have no remembrance of me p
The old man shook his head.
"Yet it is folly to expect it when 1
am so changed. Listen, sir" he re-
sumed, with bright earnest smile
''have you recollection of a forlorn boy,
on crowded pier, whose little all was
scattered by a rude blow? Have you
forgotten his distress Have you for
gotten that kind stranger stopped to
comfort him, not only by money but
by cheering words p
rs it possible p stammcrcd the old
man. -
"Ycs, it is possible. I am that for
lorn boy. Your money, which that
night supplied my dying sister with
luxuries and pleasure, has proved the
stepping stone to my princcly wealth.
Sir, [ was a ragged, friendless boy, but
my heart treasured up your kind words
as priceless jewels, and now the time
has come when I may, in some measure,
repay them with interest"
The old man moved his pale lips, as
though he would speak, but the banker
resumed instantly:
II am alone in the world; my moth
er is dead, and my little sister, whose
last words were OF your Kindness, has
gone years ago to her eternal home. I
owe everything to you, and now 1 have
a favor to ask.
"a fdror and nc -
"That you will .henceforth allow me
to provide for you, and consider me as
your son. My carriage is at the door,
and will take you wheresoever you wish
to go But moment first" -..,.
He took a tiny volume from his
breast, bound in faded velvet, with
claspings of tarnished gilt.
::'This book was my dead sisters Bi-
BILE; it lay on her pillow when she died,
and since that hour it has been my con,
slant companion. There is a passage
here that has been ever present in my
mind since your kind deed gave hope
and courage to my life"
He opened the volume, and, through
soft mist Of grateful tears, the old
man read the Scriptural words: -...-
"Cast thy bread upon the ,oaters; for