The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1861-07-24
Mr.. HIRAM GORMLEY.
BY MARY KYLE DALLAS.

Old Hiram Gormley was an individual whom
Fortune had not forgotten in the distribu-
ton Of the good things of this world. He
had . fine fortune, magnificent dwelling,
and q plump, good tempered wife. More
over, ne had great reputation for sanclity
and uprightness, and was an elder of the
church TO which he belonged. very good
man and thorough Christian old Hiram
considered himself; for he had family pray
ers every morning, went 10 church eyery
SUNDAY, and allowed the cook TO give all IN
eatable scraps OF bread which remained in
the larder 10 any beggar who applied for
them. A judicious parent he believed him
self 10 be, and just one for when his only
daughter had married against his will, he
had cast her of forever, and refused TO see
her when be stood weak and trembling at
his door, 10 tell him that her husband lay on
the verge Of death and that starvation stared
them in the face.
As she has sowed 50 she must reap" he
muttered, as he saw her turn away, hiding
her grieyed face in her shabby bonnet. She
had her own choice and must abide by il"
And 80 saying. he went back to his account
books and banished his daughter from his
mind.
Old Hiram Gormley was. a. have said,
very wealthy, bat be vet clung 10 trade with
the attermo.t Pertiuacity. Money-geiting
was bis life, and he was never 50 happy a.
while making a bargain. Amongst other
thing. he speeulated in -four, aud had made
more, perhaps, in that line Of business than
Id any other. How old Hiram and his broth.
er. IN the trade ehuekled as the poor mans
loaf decreased aud lie store 10 their Golfers
augmented, il i best known 70 themselves.
II VA II sucn 4 season that Hiram CORN
leY sat before his parlor FIRE, basking in
is blaze and sinking gently into an after
dinner nap. His pOrtly form filled the huge
velvet chair, aud his own portrait looked
from ~ gided frame upon It drOwsy origi-
nal with dignity entirely Of the artists own
invention. Mrs Gormley had gone out 10
dine, and the carriage was 10 be sent fur her
9, an appointed hour, 20 that the old man
and his portrait were alone together ia the
comfortable room.
They were alone, at last for many min.
utes. But a. the silver. toned time.piece
rung out the hour 81 seven, the outer door
was opened and . small NH, clad ia faded
green velvet 5ai, entered IL room with the
soft tread d j slaeI s. cit. lie wls j queer
looking I'D 3aa, #5rsi all 20
wfinkiel u. he n - have rss.nbled some
old goJlin, sid ais white hair .ttOd out
Strangely enJ ssJa either side Of his
brown forehead Upon Ri. msazre lower
limbs be wore great mld.stained bouts,
world too vide Tor him, and in his hand he
carried cap VI the same color aud materi.
81 = his coat lie looked frst 81 old Hiram,
then Al bis portrait, then back again to the
original, and finally stepped forward and
touched him % The shoulder.
Hiram GDfmlsy sWOke With a start, and
springing % bis feet. regarded him with a..
tonishmsnt. -
Who are yoB, ard what 40 YOU wan,
here n he asked, IN a manner sufficiently
imperative.
= Who ! am il = matter u 10 imppr.
lance" replied the stranger /" but an here
On business. ] believe you are buying up
four
lam. replied old Hiram, becoming In.
tsrested and gracious ID a moment. fake
seat, sif, and lei me understand your bu.
siness."
he pointed 10 chair, and the visitor
seated himself Immediately, crossing his
MUDDY boots. and folding bis elm arms W.