Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1859-01-21

I
"No, mol" quickly returned the young
man. II did't think that; though l
know that the ether two partners would
willingly have me for an associate"
"But it seems to me old 0sgood holds
his share in the concern at high fig
ure." ..,.,r.t
ooh, no. 1t is a very low one. There
is clear capital Of one hundred and fifty
thousand pounds in the business at this
moments and then think of all the stand
ing debts and good will which goes for
nothing" sdl s.sssae.1
"Ha, ha, har' laughed the old man
again. ha
Then Walter laughed; and then Ag-
nes laughed T; and then they finished their
supper
On the next morning Walter Adams
came in and sank down upon the sofa
without speaking. He was pale and agi-
tated, and his eyes had vacant, wander
ing look. Hi .rr bod
"Walterl" cried Agnes, in terror, ''what
has happenedP"i il g1poi insun7avofI
t'Hes sick" muttered Noah Brennan,
without looking around.
"No, no--not sick, returned the young
man, starting up "butI am the victim of
some miserable triaing"
"Eh ?--how so ?" asked old Noah now
turning his chair.
"Ill tell you" said Walter, with a
spasmodic effort. had some long entries
to post this evening, SO I remained in the
counting-room after the rest had gone. 1
was still at work when Mr.. Osgood 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
I had finished my work, opened the pa
pers. The first was a sort of inventory
of what Osgood had owned in the bust
ness, and mounted up in square numbers,
to forty nine thousand eight hundred and
seventy FIVE pounds. 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, 81 don't see anything We
ry bad IN that u.a,
But do replied Walter. at is cru
Ell to trihe with me thus" sf ,,
There was something in Noahs eye
again, but he managed to get it out, and
then he spoke thus: o..
"Walter Adams, when young men used
to hover about my child, L believed they
were only after my gold and knew that
in most cases was correct. l believed
the same of you. knew of nothing but
the love of money that could influence hu-
man action. My heart had become hard
ened by it, and my soul darkened. But it
was for my sweet child to pour the warmth
and light upon my bosom. 1t was for 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.
l heard her pray for me--pray that she
might love me--that she might have help
) from God to love me and that was after
had refused to Yet her be your wife. l saw
her grow pale and sorrowful, and knew
| had done it-and she loved me still
And still she prayed God to help her
Help her what2 Help her love her fath err
was killing her, and she tried to smile
upon me.--0ne evening heard you both
eonversing in the old hut. My child
chose misery with duty to her father rath.
: er than break that duty in union with the
man she loved. And you uttered pray
er. You prayed that mightbe made pen.
niless-L--! Stopi Hear me through
You would then show your disinterested
ness. walked away and pondered-
Could it be that l 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
| determined to test you. Ihad gained I
glimmerng of light-my heart had begur
to grow warm-and l prayed fervently
:, ;, that might not be disappointed.
q ~ went to the bank, and drew out fyt.
thousand pounds in bills. That night m.
+" miserable old hut was set --or--it caugh
FIRE. l shall always think il was my can
st die did it. But..thesold shell burnt down
70 aud room was made for better building
came out with a wrong trunk, aud th