Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1858-06-18

~ uOtulON, tuc uuaOhuu SNtu WIN u
emile, II was only thinking"
"But Of whatr
aOnly castle building-that's ALL"
AIN the sir, WalterY" asked Noah.
"Yes, very high in the air." the young
man returned with q laugh.
"But tell us what it isf'
swell, I'd as lief tell you as not. Mr..
Osgood is 10 retire from our firm in few
daya He is well advanced in years, and
has made fortune in the business, and he
will now live in comfort and wealth alone.
He has not been very well Of late years"
"And is that ALL"
"No. am TO be advanced to the post
OF head book-keeper, with q salary Of
twelve hundred dollars"
"But what castle in the air is there
about thatp
"O-that isn't the castle n
''Then what is the castle 7" 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 hc in his playful way
"Walter, I'll sell you all my interest here
for fifty thousand dollars"
"IIs, ha, ha," laughed Noah Bremen,
"and you thought him in esrnestl"
mo, no." quickly returned the young
man. u did not think that though knew
the other two partners would willingly have
me for an associate"
"But it seems to me old 0sgood holds
his share in the concern at rather high
figure"
"0h, no. 1t is very low one. There is
clear capital of ono hundred and fifty
thousand dollars in the business at this mo-
ment and then think Of all the standing
and good will which goes for nothing"
"Ha! ha! ha" laughed the old man
again.
Then Walter laughed; and then Agnes
aanghed; they then finished their supper.
On the next evening Walter Adams
came in and sank down upon the sofa with
out speaking He was pale and agisated,
and bis eyes had vacant wandering look
"Walterr cried Agnes, in terror, "what
has happenod"
"He's SICK" muttered Noah Brennan,
Without looking around.
mo, no not SICK" returned the young
man, starting up; "but l am the victim Of
a miserable trifing."
"Eh? how so?" asked old Noah, now
turning his chair.
"I'll tell you," said Walter with a spas
7nodic effort 81 had some long entries to
post this evening so l remained in the
counting room after the rest had gone. l
was still at work when Mr.. Osgood came in
and placed some papers on my desk, say
ing as he did so-"Here Walter, these are
yours" And then he went out. Whom /
had finished my work, opened the papers.
Tho first was sort of inventory of what
Osgood had owned in the business and
footed up in square numbers, forty-nine
thousand eight hundred and sevonty-fve
dollars. The next paper was deed con-
veying the whole of the vast propsrey to
me, and making me partner in the con-
corn upon equal footing with the other two"
"Well," said the old man, humping his
foot upon the carpet and keeping time with
his hands, 81 don't see anything very bad
iu that"
"But l do," replied Walter. at is cruel
TO trifle with me thus"
There was something in Noah's eye
again, but be managcn to get it out, and
then he spoke thus:
"Walter Adams, when young men used
10 hover about my child, l believed they
were only after my gold; and l know that
IN most cases was correct. believed the
same Of you. / knew nothing but the love
Of money that could influence human &C
zion. My heart had become hardened by
il, and my soul darkened. But it was for
my sweet child to pour tho warmth and
light into my bosom. 1t was for her to
keep before me tho image Of the gentle
wife whom had loved and lost, but alas
who occupied place in that love second to
my gold. 1t was for my child to open
gradually but surely, tho fount of feeling
which had been for lifetime closed up
! heard her pray for mo--pray that she
might love me--that she might have help
from God to love mo; and that WAS after !
refused to let her be your wife. l saw her
grow pale and sorrowful, and knew l had
done it-and she loved me still. And still
che prayed to God to help her. Help her
whatl Help her to love her father! 1 was
killing her, and she tried TO smile upon me.
One evening heard you both conversing
in the old hut My child chose misery with
duty to her father rather than break that
duty in union with the man she loved
And you uttered prayer. You prayed that
I might become pennilsss--Stop !
Hear me through--You would then
show your disinteredness. walked away
and popdered. Could it be that / had
found man who would love an old wreck
like myself with no money. If it was SO
then that would break the late layer Of
crust from my soul. l determined to test
you. ] had gained glimmering of good
my heart had begun to grow warm-and
] prayed forvently that might not bc dis
appointed.
n went TO the bank and drew out fifty
thousand dollars in bills. That night my
miserablo old hut was sot on--or a--cdught
fire. shall always think twas my candle
did it. But the old she'll burnt down, and
room was made for better building. L
came out with wrong trunk, and the 9th
er trunk was burnt up. But the money
wasn't in IL. No, no. I had that safely
stuffed into my bosom and deep pockets,
and all buttoned up; and the next day ]
carried il back to tho bank, and had it put