Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1858-08-26


every one read in his fine, open, benevolent
face, how thoroughly the wrong was forgiven
that had shaken the foundations of the firm
and sent one of its members to a sudden grave
He then devoted himself. night and day, to
the investigation of their financial position, aid
ed in every thing by Michael Armstrong, who
was ever at his side. In the course of few
days his determination was known. BY closing
the branch concern at Liverpool, contracting
the operations, and reducing the London house,
the capital remaining was sufficient to discharge
all outstanding obligations, leaving a small
balance upon which to reconstruct the firm
This was done, and the honor of Fordyce, Bro
theirs, was preserved.
Many of our staff, under the new arrange
mentS, were dismissed, but the thoughtful care
of Mr.. Fordyce had provided them with other
situations in neighboring firms In other re-
| spects our business went on as before, but with
one exception. The confidence hitherto exist
ing between Mr.. Fordyce and Michael Arm
strong, was at an end, and although the latter
was still retained in his capacity as private &C.
cretary, he appeared to feel that he was no
! longer honOred and trusted | believe at this
time he would gladly have left the place, but
some secret power and influence seemed to
compel him to remain.
He had never made friends of any of his
| fellow clerks, nor did he seek them now. Old
| Barnard's rcpugnamce 20 his marriage with ES-
Their at length took the form of open personal
/ repugnance and poor Esther, herself, while
her heart was undoubtedly unchanged became
| sometimes cold and timid in his presence at
other times loving and repentant, as if Strug-
| Cling with some great, fearful doubt that she
did not dare confide to him. She was less de-
srous Of seeking his company and the roses
on her fair young checks, that had grown up
even within these old city walls now faded
| before the hidden grief of her heart. God
| bless her her love had fallen, indeed, upon
stony ground
| Mr.. Fordyce seemed also to be struggling
between variety of contending feelings. Whe-
ther he had set Il watch upon Michael Arm
strong at this period | cannot say but while
he appeared to feel his presence irksome, he
seemed always anxious to have him near
Better wonld it have been fer him if he had let
him go to his ways
| 1t was impossible for Michael Armstrong to
be ignorant of this state of things, and it only
served to make him if possible, more keen-eved
and watchfuI. What he thought or did was
still only known to himself, but there was oc-
Casional evidence upon the surface that seemed
! to indicate the direction of his silent work
ing.
The one who saw her most was Michael Arm
strong His duty, every night, was to lock up
the wareroomS and contingencies rendering
! the keys to old Barnard who placed them in
| the private apartments of the two brothers.
Since the clerks bodily weakness had increased,
! this task was confded to his daughter, who
executed it timidly at first, gaining courage,
| however, by degrees, until, at last, she came to
consider it a part of the days labor even pleas
ant to look forward to. Whether Michael
Armstrong ever really loved Esther Barnard
| is more than can say. | have to Judge him
heavily enough in other and greater matters,
and | am, therefore, 10th to respect him in
this He had no faith no hope, no heart
nothing but brain, brain, ceaSeleSS brain and
a small love, that have found, ever came
! from soul like this. What he thought and
meant was always hidden behind the same calm,
smiling mask-the same thoughtful deceptive,
even beautiful face. He used his appearance
as only another instrument to aid him in his de-
sign, and he seldom used it in vain Esther'S
! love for Michael Armstrong was soon no secret
I to the whole house, and many, while they en-
We'd him, sincerely ptied her, though they
could scarcely give reason for so doing. The
partners, hOwever-especially Mr. James For
! overlooked with favor upon the match but
from some cause her father, old Barnard, felt
towards it a strange repugnance 1t may have
! been that there was Some selfish feeling at the
bottom of his opposition-some natural and
pardOnabic Discrimination to agree to an union
that threatened to deprive him in his sickness
and his old age of an'only daughter who was
both his companion and his nurse. Be this as
it may he would not fix any definite time for
the marriage, although, for his daughters sake,
he did not prohibit the visits of him upon whom
her heart was bestowed Michael Armstrong
did not press just then for more favorable
determination, and, for this reason, | am led
to believe that he had obtained his object
an excuse for being upon tie premises unsus-
pcctcd after the business hours of the day were
over. | never knew him to allow his will to be
! opposed, and | must, therefore, conclude, that
in this instance he was satisfied with the ground
that had been gained. Esther, too, was hap
! py-happy in her confidence and purc affection
happy in the presence Of him she loyed-
happy in being powerlesS to penetrate behind
the stony, cruel selfish mask. that, in her trust
ing eyes seemed always lighted up with love
and truth.
Oar honse had never entirely recovered the
shock given TO its credit Ivy the violent death
of Mr.. Robert Fordycc Rumors of our being
in an insolvcnt position were occasionally
banded about the town, gaining strength with
the maturing of a large demand; dying away
for a time, after it had been promptly salts
? fed. Our bankers, too, began to look codly
upon us.
Thc rumors gradually took moro consist
ent and connected form; an untayorable con
dtion of the money market arose; the stron-
gest houses cannot always stand against such
adverse Influences and We were, at last com