Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1858-10-23
sTAUNToN, AUGUSTA COUNTY, VIRGINIA. OCTOBER g. 1863

Luke cast about him, and he was not Ions
in finding the man he sought Thoma,
Lyon, young man Of nelghboring town
was ready to enter into such partnership,
and he considered that the thorough knowl
edge of the business, and the intimate &C.
quaintance with the customers, which Luke
would bring with him, would offset the in.
terest he might have to pay for the money
he would be obliged to hire.
It was all arranged, and Luke Wharton
was happy. Thomas Lyon would raise the
four thousand dollars necessary to be paid
down, and he would soon be in a position
where he could not only enjoy the honor
and satisfaction Of doing business for HIM
self, but where he knew he could lay up
money. And he was the more satisfied be-
cause another party had been talking Of
purchasing the store.
II wouldn't trust him as far as I could
throw fat hog!" asserted Luke Wharton.
He spoke Of Mr.. Samuel Lovejoy, a man
who lived in distant part Of the town, and
who was the individual that had some talk
of purchasing the store
"What do you mean by that p asked
Mrs. Wharton.
II mean just what I say" returned
Luke. 81 wouldn't trust him all inch"
''But what do you know against him, my
son p
Il know enough. He would have bought
our store if he could and he meant to do
it in an undetermined way. He knew that
| wanted it, and yet tried to work me out. !"
''Bnt how do you know this?'
elbow do I know! Why-I know it
well enough. I know that he went to my
employer, Mr. Green, and offered to pur-
chase the whole; and know that he init
mated that might never be able to pay for
my half. I tell you he isn't man to be
trusted"
Il hope you have not spoken thus to any
one else, % said the old lady with much ear
nestness.
"Why do you hope that"
"Because it would have been very wrong.
| know Mr.. Lovejoy is an excentric man,
and very set, and even bitter, in his preju-
dices but never heard lisp against his
|character for honesty and uprightness.
Have you spoken against him out Of doors 7"
81 have spoken my mind of him. re-
| piled Luke, somewhat stubbornly ''and [
shall speak SO again "
| "Stop!' said his mother. She spoke
sternly, yet tenderly. edo not say so.-
You are too free in the use Of that tongue Of
yours. You are not sure that Mr. Love-
|joy has spoken one word against you, and
you have no tight to speak against him
If this should 60 to his ears it might in
jure you. If you are going into business
it should be your endeavor to make friends,
and not enemies. Let me assure you, my
son, that you must berak yourself Of this
bad habit. Just look at it in this one light,
and you ought not to look further: IT. a
habit from aohich no good can possibly t7oao,
but froao vh:ch much evil mag result. Isn't
that reason enough for giving it up2"
While they were yet speaking the door
bell rang. and the servant soon handed in a
letter for Luke Wharton, saying that the
postman had just left it. The young m an
broke the seal, and read as follows:
"FRlEND WHARroN-I am sorry to be obliged to
imfor m you that our plan for purchasing the store
ranged to have the money OF my uncle. amuei
Lovejoy, whom you well know, but he will no now
allow me to move as had intended. | may as
well be frank with you as not. He says he will pur
chase the whole store for me, or he will purchase
it and let me take such share as | wish. week
ago he had resigned all his previously formed plans
in your favor, but he has met with something which
has most suddenly and strangely changed his mind.
He simply tells me he will not trust you in such
business where my money may be at stake. He
says, further, that (pardon me, for | must speak
frankly man who uses his tongue as you use
yours would be to ruin any business sooner or
later
"Wili you see him, and talk with him: / may
The hand which held the letter sank by
Luke's side, and a smothered groan escaped
him.
"What is it p asked his young wife,
springing to his side.
Nothing nothing now" he whispered;
and then he seized his hat and fastened from
the room.
What blow was this. How high had
he built his hopes upon the bright prospect
before him-how proudly had he dwelt upon
the fattering promise of the future-and
how heavy was the fall He paced to and
fro in the garden, and finally he reasoned
0"AAiy "PoH Une SuUJtCt. AZ Ii OF AO Hdu
muttered deep imprecations upon the head
Of Samuel Lovejoy; but when he came to
read the letter again he was forced to think
and feel differently. ~ peek ago he had
resigned all has previously formed plans IN
your .tavor," he read.
Il was Mistaken" he said to himself. -
"While | thought he was trying to work me
out, he was in reality working to help me-
He was ready to let Thomas have four thou
sand dollars to be my partner What a
fool I have been! Why couldn't have
known that he was Lyons uncle and friend?"
"My son."
Luke started -turned-and beheld his
mother.
t'What is this p she asked.
He handed her the letter, and she read it.
s'What shall do 2 he said.
'sWhat have you proposed to do ~
Nothing. I know not what I can do"
"You can give up the store, and all the
bright hopes you have based upon it,
"Oh-I cannot do that, mother"
'Then you can do better. Go to Mr..
Lovejoy, and tell him frankly that you have
been at fault and that hencefort h you will