White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1858-03-04

A stool was pushed to the new csmer, books
were opened, matters explained, directions Civ
en-, the pen was dipped in the ink, and, in short,
before hour had passed away, you would have
thought that the old man and the young man
had known each other for years.
In reference to our new friend, it will be suf-
fcient to remark that he had been literally ed
ucated, as the phrase goes, and although he had
entered early into business, he had not neglect
ed the cultivation of his mind and heart. He
had found time to cherish general acquaint-
ance with the most noteworthy authors of the
day, both literary and religious, and with many
of past times. After few years of success in
the pursuits TO which he had devoted himself,
misfortunes came thick and fast upon him. He
found himself left with scarcely any property,
and alone in the world, save his two lovely
daughters.
As year after year passed away, he grew stea-
Oily in the confidence of his employer, who felt,
although he said it not, that in him he possessed
treasure.
Very little, indeed, was said bv either of them,
not connected with the routine of business, and
there had been no intercourse whatever between
them, save in the counting room. Thus six years
went by, toward the close Of which period old
Mr.. Bremen was found looking with much fire.
quency and earnestness at the young man before
him. Something was evidently brewing in that
old head. What could it BET And then, too,
at times, he looked so curiously. The Irish ser
want was puzzled. Sure," said James. "some-
things coming" Annie, too, was somewhat
perplexed, for those looks dwelt much on her.
"What is it, father7'' said she to him one
morning at the breakfast table, as he sat gazing
steadfastly in her face. "What is it? Do tell
me-"
al wish you'd have him. burst forth like an
avalanche. "Known him for six years-true as
ledger gentleman-real, sensible man
don't talk much-regular as a clock-prime for
business-worth his weight in gold"
"Haye who, father7 What are you talking
aboutl"
any head clerk, Copeland-you don't know
him do-haven't seen anybody else worth an
old quill.''
Annie was puzzled She laughed, however,
and said
marry my fathers clerki What wouldpeo-
pie sayl"
Humbug. child; all humbug! Worth forty
of your whiskered, loungy, lazy gentry; say
what they please; what do care7 What do
you carel What's money after ALI GOtenough
of it-want sensible man-want somebody to
take care of it-all humbug."
"What's all humbug. father?"
"Why, peoples notions on these matters
COpeland's poor-so was once; may be again;
worlds full of shanges-seen great many of
them in my day-can't stay here lo1g-got to
leave you, Annie-wish you'd like him."
"Father, are you serious7''
"Serious, child" and he looked so.
Annie was chip of the old block; a strong
minded, resolute girl. A new idea seemed to
strike her.
Father, if you are really serious in this mat
ter, I'll see this Copeland; III get acquainted
with him. If he likes me, and like him, I'll
have him. But he must love me for myself
alone; must know it. Will you leave the
matter to me7'
"Go ahead. my child. and do as you like
Good morning"
"Stop a moment, father, shall alter my
name little; shall appear to be poor girl,
a companion or our friend, Mrs. Richards, in
H street; she shall know the whole affair;
YOU shall call me by my middle name, Peyton;
l shall be relative of yours; you shall suggest
the business to Mr.. Copeland, as you call him,
and arrange for the first interview. The rest
will take care of ITSELF"
at see, see," and one Of those rare smiles
illuminated his whole face. 1t actually got be-
tween his lips, parted them asunder, glanced
upon set Of teeth but little the worse for wear,
and was resting there when he left the house
for his counting room. The twilight of that
; smile was not yet gone when he reached the
weIl-known spot, and bowed and locke good
morning" to those in his employ, for old Paul
was, after his own fashion, polite man. On
the morning of that day what looks were direc-
ted to our friend Charles-so many, so peculiar,
and so full Of something, that the head clerk
could not but notice them. and that too with
some alarm-what was coning7 At last the
volcano burst forth.
copeland, my good fellow, why don't you
get wifei''
Had thunderbolt fallen at his feet he could
not have been more astonished. Did Mr.. Bre-
men say that, and in the counting room, tool
The very ledger seemed to blush at the intro
duction of such subject: He for the first time
made blot on the fair page before him.
"I say-why don't you get Wife7-knoW
Just the thing for you-prime article-Poor
enough to be sure-what of thatl fortune in
wife, you know sort of relation Of mine
don't want to NEEDLE with other peoples affairs
know your own business best-cant help
thinking you'll be happier-must see her,"
Now, the fact is that Charles had for some
time past thought so himself; but how the old
man should completely divine his feelings was
quite puzzle 10 him. In the course Of the day
note was put into Mr.. Bremen's hand by his
Irish servant, the contents Of which produced
another grim sort Of smile. When the mo-
ment for his return home arrived, Mr.. B. hand
ed sealed document of rather imposing form
: to Charles, SAYING
"Copeland, you'll Oblige me BY leaving that
at No. 81 H street. Place it only in the
hands of the person to when it is directed