Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1860-01-19

N,
never waiting for dinner hurried back to town,
to purchase every packet of hops | could lay
my hands on. 1t was desperate game, for
rsked every thing | possessed. bat no more.
Hops were then particularly cheap, for the
proceeding year had been one Of remarkable
plenty, and few hours before [ began to buy
there was as good prospect for the coming
season. Thanks to my being all eyes, was
first in the field. | made no confdant--I did
not even tell Nelly what was doing. When
old Stanley alluded to the partnership, /
asked quietly permission to reconsider the
matter. His face told me that he deemed me
fool for his offer was certainly a thing to
jump at and he informed Nelly in my pres
ence, and with perceptibe sneer, that was
considering whether partnership with him
would or would not be advisable The dear
girl herself seemead almost hurt about it but
| whispered to her that she must trust me en-
tirely and say no more. Nelly had wonderful
faith in my infalibllity then. 1t would have
been great comfort to me to tell her all
about that venture of mine, for grew quite
haggard with keeping it to myself. And how
watched the solitary plant If saw the
least signs of amendment in its appearance |
IL
the more did my spirits rise. | was Ike fell
low by the sick bed of one from which he ex-
poets rich legacy, You see | not only en-
barked my cash, bat all nay future prospects,
in this one veatare, If | lost the money, |
knew should be sure to lose Nelly also The
successful speculator is fabled as a shrewd
alau, and his fellows talk of his talent for bus.
iness the unlu-ky one is stigmstised as a
gambler aud madman,'
my anxiety did not last long The Ger
tainty of failure in the crops of hops became
known, and there was an outcry in the market
Nobody knew where all the hops were gone
/ to. The brewers, calculating on diminished
prices, had but few in hand, when the blight
came, aud now they eagerly sought to increase
| their stock You will guess how held back,
and then sent in my precious commodity in
small quantities. and how my capital quadru'
! pied itself by the transaction"
"I see it all now" Interrupted "you-"
"Stop and let me finish Don't be rude
and spoil my story it is nearly done Whea
: | had parted with my last parcel of hops, and
! found myself the possessor of twelve instead
of three thousand pounds, | marched boldly
into old Staniev's Office"
u want TO speak to you about the partner
ship you were good eaOugh to propose.
SAIL |.
80 you thiak Of trusting your fortune in
| the concern p
Not exactly the amount first proposed"
al quite enjoyed the misunderstanding fol
saw he thought | only wished to venture a
! part of my cash, since he told me had bet
! ter retain the whole, as he should object to
having anything to do with very trlArg
matter"
4" You are under mistake, Mr. Stanley,
| | answered. wish TO add larger, not 3
smaller amount to the capital of the firm.
have nine thousand pounds, the result of my
first mercantile venture, to add TO the three
| | possessed a short time back and then
told him oil. wish you could have seen the
old fellows face 1t was not the money he
cared for, after all, but of the fact of having
proved himself wide awake. He sad-anC
he could not imagine great compliment
Swinton you deserve to be my son-in-law'
Il went home with him that day, and after
dinner, when NelIy-she had no mother-wa
going to Withdraw, he said
Take Swnton with you and fix the wed
ding day"
And so she did like dear, dutifuI daught
er, as she always was Od Stanley behaved
handsomely. This pretty home of ours wa:
his wedding present. aud cost more than all
my fortune. Inecd not say now why it is
called Hop Villa, and when | tell you thai
the old vine we lamented the death of, to-day
is veritable scion of the one which laid the
foundation of my happiness, you will not won
der at our regret at loosing it."
Just one question mere before we JON the
ladies, Swinton. Was this your only gambling
! transaction p
" Really and truly yes. Remember raj
the risk Of loosing my money to win a home
and a bride and, having gained these,
would endanger them for money only, think
you?"
True, you need not enlarge upon &C. Nov
let us go to the mistress of Hop Villa
! Chambers Journal