Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1858-06-25

: mas told me so many times. .,l-s
j, There was something more than usual
In the old mans eye now. -
One evening. as the happy trio sat at
the tea table Walter looked more thought.
ful than was his wont. :
What is love?' Agnes asked.
/ 'o-nothing.' the husband said, with
smile. i was only thinking
Il 'But of what?'
Only castle, building. that's ALL
In the air, Walter?' asked Noah.
'1es-yery high in the air. the young
man returned, with laugh.
But tell us what il is.
u 'Well-I'd as lief tell you as not. Mr..
Osgood is 10 retire from our firm in a few
days. He is well advanced in years and
has made q fortune in the business. and
he will live now for comfort and health
alone. He has not been very well Of
late years.
And is that all?'
NO. am to be advanced to tho post
of head book keeper, with q salary Of l9
hundred dollars
And is that all?'
yes
But what castle in the air is there
about that?'
'O-that isn't the castle
Then what is the castle?' urged the
old man. playfully.
Why. simply this. said Walter, laugh
ing. but yet almost ashamed to tell it:-
This noon Mr.. Osgood patted me on the
shoulder, and. said he. in his playful way
Waller, I'll sell you all my interest
here for fifty thousand dollars
'Ha, ha. hs,' laughed Noah Brcman,
and you thought he was in earnest
No. no. quickly returned the young
man. Il did not think that; though l
know that the other two partners would
willingly have me for an associate.'
But it seems to me that old Osgood
holds his share in the concern at high
6gure.'
oh. no. 1t is very low one. There
is clear capital of one hundred and fifty
thousand dollars in The business at this
moment; and then think of all the stand.
ing and good will which goes for no.
thing
'lIa. ha. ha.' laughed the old man
again.
Then Walter laughed; and then Agnes
laughed; and then they finished Their
supper.
l Ou the next evening Walter Adams
c, me in and sank down upon the sofa
withou; speaking. He was pale and agi
j lated. and his eyes had vacant wander,
ing look.
.WaIterP cried Agnes, in terror, what
has bappened?'
He's sick.' muttered Noah Brennan,
without lookinp around
No. no-not SICK returned the young
man. starting up. but j am tbs victim Of
a miserable tritllng.'
'Eh?-how so?' asked old Noah, now
turning his chair.
'I'll tell you.' said Walter, with spas
modic effort. i had some long entries TO
counting room after the rest had gone. l
was still at work when Mr.. 0sgood came
in and placed some papers on my desk,
saying as he did so, Here Walter, these
are yours And then he went out
When hae finished my work opened
the papers. The first was sort Of In
ventory of what Mr.. osgood had owned
in that business, and footed up in square
numbers, forty.nine thousand eight hum
dred and seventy FIVE dollars. The next
paper was deed conveying the whole Of
that vast property TO me, and making me
a partner in the concern on an equal foot.
ing with the other two
well. said the old man, humping his
foot upon the carpet. aud keeping time
with his hands, i don't see anything
very bad in that
But do replied Walter. 1T is cru.
el 10 triae with me thus
! There was something in Noah's eye
again, but he managed to get it out, and
tllen he spoke thus:
'Walter Adams, when young men used
to hover about my child believed they
were only after my gold; believed the
same of you. knew nothing but the
love Of my money that could uuderlie
human action. My heart had become
hardened by it. and my souId darkened.
But it was for my sweet child TO poul the
warmth and Iightinto my bosom. Il was
for her to keep before me the image Of
the gentle wife whom 1 bad loved aud
lost, but alas who occupied place in
that love second TO my gold! II was for
my child 10 open gradually. but surely.
the fount Of feeling which had been for q
lifetime closed up. heard her pray for
me-pray that she might love me-that
he might have hel p from God 70 love
me: and that was alter had refused TO
let her be your wife. saw her grow
pale and sorrowfuI, aud l kuew bad
done it and she loved me still. Aud still
she prayed God to help her. Help her
what? Help her to love her fatherI l
was killing her. and she fried TO smile
upon me. One evening heard you both
cons ersing in the old hut. Ny child
chose misery With duty TO her father ra-
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