Juliet signal., 1861-05-14
HIRAM GORMLEY.
BY MARY KYLE DALLAS.

Old Hiram Gormley was an individual
whom Fortune had not forgotten in the dis.
trIbutiOn of the good things of this world.
lie had O fine fortune, a magnificent dwell
ing, and plump, good tempered Wife
Moreover, he had great reputation for
sanctity and u9rightness, and was an elder
of the church to which he belonged. A
very good man and thorough christian
Old Hiram considered himself; for he had
family prayers every p.orning, went TO
church every Sunday. and allowed the cook
to give all uneatable scraps uf bread which
remained in the larder to any beggar who
applied for them. a judicious parent he
believed himself to be; and a lust one for
when his only daughter had married against
his will, he had cast her off forever, and re.
fused TO see her when she stood weak aud
trembling at his door, to tell him that her
husband lay on the verge Of death and that
starvation stared them in the face
" AS she had sowed, so she must reap."
he muttercd, as he saw her turn away. hid.
ing her grieyed iuce in her shabby bonnet.
Z" She had her own choice and must abide
by It," And so saying he went back to his
account books and banished his daughter
from Lis mind
Old Hiram Gormley was. as / have said.
very wealthy, but he yet clung to trade with
the utmost eltinacity. Money getting was
his life, and he never was so bapnv as
while making Il bargain. Amongst other
things he speculated in flour, and had made
more, perhaps, in that line of business than
IN any other. How old Hiram and his
brothers IN the trade chuckled as the roor
mans loaf decreased and the store in their
Golfers augmented, it is best known to Them.
selves.
1t was at such season that Hiram
GoImley sat before his parlor fire, basking
In lis blaze aud sinking gently into an after
dinner nap. His Tortly form filled the huge
velvet char, aud his own portrait looked
tr' IN It's glided frame upon its drowsy orig
mai with dignity entirely Of the artists
own invention. Mrs. Gormley had gone
out to dine, ard the carriage was tu be sent
for her at an appointed hour, so that tue old
man an0 his portrait were alone together
IN the comfortable room.
They were alone, at least for MANY min>
utes. But as the silver toned timepiece
rung out the hour of seven, the outer door
was opened and small man, clad in fa-
ded green velveteen coat, entered the room
with the soft tread Of stealtby cat. He
was queer looking individual. so withered
and so wrinkloG that he might have resem
bled some old goblin, and his white hair
sto"d out strangely enough upon eithe. side
OF his brown forehead. Upon his meagre
lower limbs he wore great and mud-stained
boots, world too wide for him, and in his
band he carried cap Of the same color and
materia! as his coat. He Looked first at
UlG Hiram, theE at his portrait. then back
again to the original, and finally stepned
forward and touched him on the shon,der.
Hiram Gormley awoke with start, and
springing to his feet, regarded him with
astonishment.
Who are you, and what do YOU want
here?' he asked, in manner sufficiently
! imperative.
! ''Who | am is a matter Of no imnort-
ance, replied the stranger; "but am here
on business. l believe you are buying up
/ -four ?"
4" am" replied cid Hiram, becoming
! interested and gracious in moment
Take seat, sir, and let me understand
your business"
! lie pointed to a chair, and the visitor
seated himself Immediately, crossing his
muddy boots, and folding his elfin arms
/ upon his bosom, as he bent down bis head
/ and peered from under his druoping black
| brOws straight into Hiram GormIey's ewes.
/ We have -four to SELL" he said
"Well?" said Hiram, interrogativeIy.
81 and my partner, or more politeIv
! speaking, my partner and l." responded
/ the little old man.
"Ob," said Hiram, "may l ask the
name Of the firm ?"
-" I'd rather not mention names until I'm
| hot al,,ll D.,
the little man. But let me tell you, Mr..
GOrmley, that such chance has never been
offered to one man before. If you ACCEPT
1t, bread will run up this year to such a
price. that loaf Of the better sort will be
worth Its weight in gold, and rich men will
give great sums for what they esteem as
nothing. How many barrels do YOU think
we have on hand, my partner and / ?"
How many :" asked old Hiram, tremb.
ling with eagerness.
The little man bent forward and whis.
pered something in his ear which made him
start to bis feet once more.
:" So many 2" he cried. "Why, the yery
/ spectators themselves will be at nv feet.
| | shall be the richest man in the whole
world. III buy it all in-all, all. When
can see it? when can sign the contract!
Be quick-tell me where ali the store is
| hidden ?"
1" In cur Office" said the little man.
"Wherer"
Hush !" whispered the little man I:
there is an underground passage and a
cellar or vault capable of containing ten
times what it now holds. As for the time.
you may come with me to night, if you like,
all hours are the same to my partner aud
me-"
The words were scarcely out Of his mouth
ere Hiram Gromley had hurried on his
overcoat, dashed his broad brimmed hat
over his eyes, and seized his gold headed
cane with nervous grasp of his right hand.
Lead the way" he said-"lead the way
I'D follow you il You were cninc 70 liz