Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-07-10
mY BROTHER JACK AND HIS RICH WIFE.

MY BROTHER JACK AND HIS RICH WIFE.
BY MRS. L. @. LEWIS.
"Harry," said my mother, 'sthere must be
always one gentleman in a family. have re-
marked it-some one to keep up its dignity
and transmit the name to posterity. You,
though my eldest son, are rough by nature
Peter is too plain but John, my pretty boy
said mother, patting his curley head, ''you
shall go to college and be gentleman
Now my good mother was the relict of a
grocer, who. dying, left her 'swell to do in
the world;' and having worn for three long
years ssweeds of the deepest hue," she wiped
the last tear from her cheek and unpnning the
Grape collar from her neck, laid 1t by, feeling,
in her inmost heart that she had fulfilled her
duty to the utmost-and had been afflicted be-
yond most mortals. 1t was the morning OF
her emancipation from these symbols of woe,
that we were called around her Gas l have
stated above) in order to portion out our sew
erai destines.
=. /, az the oldest of the family, ventured to
say: "And Susie, mother, what will she be-
lady ~
"Nonsense, Harry rejoined my mother.
"She is mere child yet but what hnders
her from being the Presidents lady stranger
things have happened
.Well, mother, make Jack what you please.
shall be a sailor and when Susie's husband
is President, I'll come back and live with
her.''
To China I went, not as sailor, but as cap
tain's clerk. On my arrival there, left the
vessel and was SO lucky as to get situation
in a mercantile house. My boss took fancy
to me, and, after few years, / became his
principal clerk, and from that arose to be ju-
nior partner in the firm. / heard from home
occasionally, but finally the correspondence
dropped off. Now and then letter from my
mother reached me; and the last announced
my brother Jacks marriage to all heiress,
and Suse's engagement to a Southern planter.
Then years elapsed, and l heard no more.
Ny letters remained unanswered; and becom-
ing vexed at the apparent Indifference of my
family, determined to write no more. had
now amassed an enormous fortune, but had
paid the penalty of life of luxury with a dis
eased liver. Not having formed any ties to
bind ME here, a yearning for home created
such restlessness of mind and body, that il
amounted almost TO mOnomania.
So transmitting the bulk of my property to
the United States, took passage in the ship
Dolphin, and after pleasant voyage of five
months, (our vessel being slow sailer) arriv-
ed at New York, and trod the streets of my
native city, as stranger. L left home boy
of seventeen-and returned a man of fifty
years. How longed to see my sister Susie
and my aged mother and my brothers. While
eating my solitary breakfast at the hotel, in
dulged in thousand fancies as to their ap-
pearance. In John, / was to see a man of
polished manners of fine, portly bearing, and
pleasant countenance Peter--good plain Peter
he, was sure, could not alter and pretty
Susie was to be everything lovely, with that
facnating dolce far niente, so fascinating in
8 southern woman's manners. sudden
whim seized me to visit them under a fic-
titous name. Acting On the spur of the mo-
ment, l called for a Directory and found my
brother Jack was the resident of a modern
palace, in what was formerly the suburbs of the
city, now the nucleus of all that was fashion.
able and wealthy. The name of my sisters
husband never knew, and Peter must have left
New York, for | could not find his name in
the Directory, nor my mothers. Satisfied
that l should get all necessary information
from Jack, | determined to go to his house
Immediately, and preparing myself with let
Ter of Introduction written by myself-sta-
ting that Mr.. Sampson, an agent for mercan-
tile house in Canton, was about visiting New
York. begged my brother to pay him every
attention. 1t is hardly necessary to say, that
Nr. Sampson was my "nom de guerre." The
letter finished folded it in due form, and put
ting 1t in my pocket, started for the upper
part Of the city. / found Jacks house--over
the stone work OF the door was carved the
"coat of arms'' of the gentleman Of the family
The crest dove pierced by falcon-had
my good father been living, it would have
been cheese supported by two red herring.
| coughed down hearty laugh aud rang
the bell black fellow opened the door. On
asking if Mr.. Chandler was at home, an
sWer was given in the affirmative, and was
ushered through suite of rooms into a well
furnished library, where reclining in luxu-
Tlous arm chair, found Jack-handsome Jack
no longer-but lean, withered, and prema-
lure old man, with all the foppish airs of boy
hood clinging to him.
ne arose at my entrance, and glancing over
my letter, assured me of his desire to make
:uy Visit to New York an agreeable one; ask
,ns many particulars as to his brother Harry,
nsahh prosperity, &c., all of which answer
Vu 10 the most satisfactory manner.
smile of relief passed over his counte-
,.ance; evidently he had dreaded the subject.
.ssDruptly said: sI was requested to inquire
VI the welfare of Mr.. Chandlers mother, Sis
'ef, and bis brother Peter"
cold, hard look settled on his face.
mas Harry not heard of my mothor's death
Sr years ago 2" said he.
scarcely able to restrain my emotion,
''amtnered out, ssNo-no7''
"Nor the widowhood of Mrs. Cleland 20
NY heavens no. sir !" I exclaimed, hurt
Saa angry at his hard, cold manner of speak
r.s OF those so dear to me. He looked sur
ler1o "'"' o"-'' a y" nj o'o' o"""u-
IN well-quite well. Really worthy
sis-no incumbrance to bis family. True, /
'''h see him-tied 10 his ledger--a capital