Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1861-10-12

! Oaholes were lighted. ObeC
drank his tea, drew his chair to the FIRE
and toasted his feet, but he did everything
meehahleaIIy. His daughter took her usns
seat at other iire.sde, but he did NOT notic,
her. ln trnth, in going over those neconnts
be bad discovered that John Wnkcma,
was I'D his debt more than he imagined
IL was but trifle, perhaps John knew Il
out II he did not, or had forgotten IT II
might not be amiss to refresh his manoor,
lie got up aud looked out of the windoy
Everything outside was black as Jet and
the wind was raising as If a storm wrre
brewing. Still that difference in bis ac
count worried him.
Father you bad better not go to Jobr
Wakeman's tonight said the girl abrupt
ny. ." -
The man started, for her words were tn,
echo of his thoughts.
What put that in your headT demanded
he testify.
Were you not thinking of him 2 asked
| the girl.
A denial was trembling on his lps bu,
ne gnlped it back before it had got far en-.
ongh out to become full.aedged lie. ITS
no matter, child, what was thinking Of,
but whatever might have been his in
tentlons, he abandoned them, and went to
bed. Still, through the night that differ.
ence perplexed him in his dreams. and made
him toss and tumble 10 his seep nm Il at
last he got John Wakeman, his ledger and
lhe dlherenee' so mixed and jnmbed up
together, that he could not tell whether
TINT difference was john Wakemap or the
iedger, or something else, or what il was
In the midst of this confusion he awoke.
and lound The daylight streaming in8 The
ram pattering on the window panes.
All oay long that difference haunted him
out the storm kept on. He nattened bis
sharp nose against the window names and
ole" his breath on them and watched The
SKY out sun 1t stormed. Late IN the eve.
ming the ram ceased, although the night
was black and lowering. Obed could re-.
strain himself no longer, and ordered his
horse His daughter attempted to remon.
strate but he child her sternly, and with his
feeling shaFpeBed and his venom increased
against his debtor by the opposition, he left
the house. ar
'Gny Mas Obed,' exclaimed his negro
Sam as he led out tho horse, "a won'fuI bad
storms coming Ef was you, Mas Obed,
I'd stay TO hum. It's Tcm Floyds' night.
He'll he out sure. Whoa Pepper Whoa
Even the ole hoss don't want TO TO-
He'll want to go before I've done with
him. said Obed roughly. rl
As be spoke be brushed the hand of his
old retainer from the bride, and started off
on brisk trot.
Sam shook his head. Mas Obed don't
believe muffin But he'll larn some day.
Obed rode rapidly on for dark clouds
were drifting across The sky, and the deep
signing OF the wind showed that the storm
was not over. The light of the young moon
was completely hidden by the black masses
which swept over it. Although it was dark
when he started yet before he reached bis
destination. he could scarcely see the road,
aud the rain began to fall. Pepper, how
ever, Eept steadily on until light cleaned
from house at the road side showing that
he had reached his journeys end. Dis.
mourning, he led bis horse under q shed, and
after tying him, CROPPED his way to the
house, and knocked for admission.
Come in, said voice from within.
Obed lifted the latch and entered. John
Wakeman was sitting at table mending
an old shoe. Near him sat his wife, pale
anxious looking woman. They both looked
up as Obed entered, and a slight expression
of pain crossed the mans face when he saw
who bis visitor was and the woman cast
quick, apprehensive glance at her husband,
but neither spoke. The man instinctively
pushed chair towards their visitor.
4 want no chair, John Wakeman,' said
Obed grufiy, nor do / want to waste words.
| came here about that account Of niue.
Here it is.
He extended the paper to the man,
who took it and held it 10 the light.
It's right, suppose 2
Quite right
We'll said Obed somewhat staggered
by this prompt admission of matter which
he had supposed would be disputed, i want
my money!
AS he spoke he planted himself FIRMLY 10
the midst of the floor, and crossed bis hands
on the top of the chair which had been
pushed to him, as if be intended TO remain
there until his want was gratlied.
Mr. Groot,' said the mah in grave,
serious tone, Il will pay you as soon as |
can. | have not got the money / have
told you so before, tell you SO again
AS be spok ehe placed the shoe on the
table, aud came round to where Obed
stood.
MY sheep have died. The storm has
beaten my grain to the ground and destroy
ed the crop, aud the drought killed my
corn-a whole years labor lost. Others
have suffered as well as l. The hand Of
the Almighty is upon us, and We must sub
nit.
don't see what have to do with that
replied Obed testify that's matter be-
tween you and Providence. don't see
why should be mixed up with II and |
won't be, said he, resolutely; / won't bc J
| didn't come here to hear sermons.
Others who have met the same mlstor-
tunes, have found indulgence, answered the
man why should not ] p
Because you are dealing with me and
not with Others, replied Oded, sharply. |
let no man tell me how | em TO manage my
affairs. and | follow no ones example. I've
got head, said be, tapng his forehead
With his fore6nger, and judge for myself
/ will not be swindled cut of my money