The north Iowa times. [volume] (M'Gregor [i.e. McGregor], Iowa) 1856-1857, 1857-03-06
From the Sunday Times.
THE MISER'S son.
4 FATAL RUSE.

fertile valley near the base of the Blue
Ridge, where that romantic chain scars
highest and sweeps in most irregular out
lines, with many smoky summit pierre
ing the azure air, lived thriving farmer
one John Holton. This man, having
descended from noble but dilapidated
stock of the "Old Dominion" in his early
youth had been fired by the ardent ambi-
ton to raise the fallen fortunes of his
family, and to restore all the political
power and social prestige which they had
lost. ...
Accordingly, he left the ruined mansion
and worn-out fields of his father in Vir-
ginia, and wandered, mere boy, into the
mountains farther west, where he found
employment as common laborer. But
his remarkable industry and honesty soon
elevated him to the prouder position of
an overseer to a planter of moderate means.
He succeeded in marrying the only daugh-
ter of his patron, and upon the death of
the latter inherited considerable wealth.
Nevertheless, John Holton was as far
from being satisfied as ever. His acqui-
sitions only tended to increase his anxious
desire for more. He loaned out all his
surplus gains on bond and mortgage, Sc
cured by land and slaves, to his less eco
nomical neighbors; and usually manag-
ing to turn the conditional into absolute
titles. by purchase or legal foreclosure, he
ended by becoming the owner of all the
real estate and most Of the negroes, in the
valley. But still he did not rest or pause
in his rapid career or accumulation. He
extended his operations over the country,
until he was known for hundred miles
around as "the rich man of the Blue
Ridge" to which flattering appellation the
envious added the satirical epithet Of
"miser."
And still he toiled and schemed as ear
nestly as ever-for there is no passion
which moves the mind or urges the human
heart, at once so Unsuitable, all-absorbing
and eternal. as the appetite for property.
Ambition may grow disguised with the
glittering toys Of place and power-ha-
tired and red-handed revenge may decay
by time, or melt in tears of unaccustomed
pity-grief cannot keep forever green the
memories of its mournful loss-the truest
and most tender love may be dimmed by
change, and find its rose-hues fade from
hour to hour but almighty avarice, when
once enthroned in the bosom, is crowned
and sceptical for life-the undying tyrant
of every thought in the plotting brain, Of
every movement in the working muscles.
The miser is man of one idea, of sim
gle motive. and nothing can stir his fro
zen blood but the music of ringing gold.
He ponders over it, dreams about it, hugs
it 20 his soul, and, if he could make him
self proprietor Of the whole world, he
would still seek to drive bargain with
God for the stars!
/ Only solitary sentiment remained in
the hardened nature of John Holton be-
sides this master passion. and that was
family pride. He felt q keen desire to see
the aristocratic splendor and influence Of
his lineage renewed in the persons of his
two children, son and daughter, now
verging on their majority, and thoroughly
educated and accomplished by long and
careful training in the best schools Of the
north. They had just arrived at home
after completing their education, and the
wealthy father gave grand festival in
honor of tho occasion, to which the entire
neighborhood was invited.
The amusements continued during the
day and the best part of the following
night and as the multitude was very nu'
merous. the young people enjoyed them
selves in dancing and love making on the
fowery green.sward of the meadow be-
meath the silvery radiance of the glorious
full moon of May, while their parents dis
cussed politics. or scandal, OF the pros
poets of corn and cotton, in the parlors
Of the fine stone mansion that overlooked
1.-THE scene.