The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1858-08-19
'He's siek,' muttere Noah Bremen,

'He's sick muttered Noah Bremen
without looking around.
No, no--not sick, returned the young
man, starting up; but 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
modic effort Il had some long entries
to post this evening, so rem aimed in the
counting room after the rest had gone
| was 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. When
| had finished my work, | opened the pa
pers. The first was sort of inventory
of what Osgood had owned in the busi-
ness, and footed up, in square numbers,
forty-nine thousand eight hundred and
seventy-6ve dollars. The next paper
was deed conveying the whole vast
property to me and making me partner
in the concern upon equal footing with
the other two!'
'Well,' said the old man, humping
his foot upon the carpet, and keeping
time with his hands, Il don't see anything
very bad in that
But do replied Walter. 1t is cruel
to trihe with me thus
There was something in Noah's eye "a
gain but he managed to get it out, and
then he spoke thus:
wv alter Adams, when young men used
to hover around my child, | believed they
were only after my gold; know that in
most cases [ was correct. l believed the
Same of you. My heart had become
hardened by it, and my soul darkened.
But it was for my sweet child to pour the
warmth and light in my bosom. 1t was
her to keep before me the 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 the
fount of feeling which had been for a
lifetime closed up heard her prayer
for me-pray that she might love NC
that she might have help from God to
love me; and that was after had refused
to let her be your wife. | saw her grow
pale and sorrowful and knew | had
done it-and she loved me still. And she
prayed to God to help her. Help her
what! Help her love her father! was
killing her, and she tried to smile upon
me. One evening heard you both con-
versing in the old hut. My child choose
misery with duty to her father rather
than break that duty in union with the
man she loved. And you uttered pray
er. You prayed that | might be made
penniless-stop. Hear me through-you
would then show your disiuterestedness
l walked away and pondered. Could il
be that had found a man who would
love an old wreck like myself, with no
money. If it was so, then that would
break the last layer of crust from my soul
l determined to test you. bad gained
a glimmering of light, my heart had be-
gun to grow warm, and prayed ferVently
that might not be disappointed.
i went to the bank and drew out fifty
thousand dollars in bills. That night my
miserable old hut was set on or caught g
fire. shall always think twas my can
die did it. But the shell burnt down anC
room was made for better building.
came out with wrong trunk, and The
other trunk was burnt up. But the mo
ney wasn't in it, No, no, had that safe
ly stuffed into my bosom and deep pock
cts, and all stuffed up; and the next day
; l carried it all back to the bank, and hac
it put with few thousand more which
hadn't disturbed. And SO my expert
ment commenced; and [ found the full
sunshine at last-aye Walter, foune
you the noble true man | had prayed for
You took me into your home, and love'
me when you thought me penniless, AM
you took my child to your bosom for jus
what God had made her. And now, IN.
boy, I've been doing bit of work in tn
dark. I've paid Mr.. Osgood fifty thou
sand dollars in cash for his share in th
business, and it is all yours. And let N
tell you one thing, my boy, if your tw
partners can raise fifty thousand dollar
more to invest, just tell 'em he has foun
heart-a HEART, my boy! come her
Agnes-come here, Walter. God bles
you both--bIess you as you have blesse
me!