Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-03-30
Hiram GOrmley
BY NARY KYLE DALLAS.

tributiOn Of the good things OF this world
he bad a fine fortune, a magnificent dwelling,
aud plump good tempered wife. More
over, he had great reputation for sanctity
and uprightness, and was an elder OF the
church to which be belonged. A very good
man and thorough christian Old Hiram
considered himself for he hsd family pray
ers every morning. went to church every
Sunday, and allowed the cook to give all IN
eatable scraps OF bread which remained in
the larder 70 any beggar VINO applied for
them. A judielOus parent be believed him
self to be; and a just one for when his only
daugh, ,er had married against bis will, be
had cast her of forever, and refused to see
her when she stood weak and trembling at
MS door, to tell him that her husband lay on
the verge of death and that starvation stared
them in the face.
"a As she has sowed so she must reap he
muttered, as be saw her turn away, hiding
her grieved face in her shabby bonnet. " She
had her own choice and must abide by It"
And so saying, be went back 70 his account
books and banished his daughter from his
mind.
Old HiIam Gormley was, as / have said,
very wealthy, but he yet clung to trade with
the utmost pertinacity. Money getting was
his life, and be was never so happy as while
making bargain. Amongst other things he
sneculated in -four, and had made more, per-
haps, in that line of business than in any
other. How old Hiram and his Drothers in
he trade chuckled as the poor mans loaf
decreased and the store in their Golfers aug
mented, it is best known to themselves.
Il was at such q season that Hiram CORN
ley sat before his parlor ile, basking in its
blaze and sinking gently into an after dinner
nap. His pOrtly form filed the huge velvet
chair, and his own portrait looked from its
glided frame upOl its drowsy original with
a dignity entirely Of the artists own inven-
ton. Mrs. Gormley bad gone out to dine,
and the carriage was to be sent for her at an
app inted hour, SO that the old man and bis
portrait were alone together in the comfort
able room.
They were alone, at least for many min
utes. But as the siiver-toned time-piece
rung out the hour of seven, the outer door
was opened and a small man, clad in faded
green EelVeteen coat entered the room with
the sofl tread Of stealthy cat. he was
queer looking individual, so withered aud
so wrinkled that be might have resemble led
some old goblin, and his white hair stood out
strangely enough, upon either side of his
brown forehead. Upon his meagre lower
limbs he wore great mud-stained boots, q
world too wide for him, and in his hand he
carried cap of the same color and material
as his coat He looked first at old Hiram,
then at his portrait, then back again to the
original, and finally stepped forward and
touched him on the shoulder.
Hiram Gormley awOke with start, and
springing to his feet regarded him with as
tonishment.
"Who are you and what do you want
here4 he asked, in a manner sufficiently i'm
peTative.
Who l am is matter Of no Importance,
replied the stranger; "but am here on bu,i-
ness. believe you are buying up -four p
{" am, replied old Hiram, becoming in
terested and gracious in moment. "Take a
seat sir and let me understand your bust
ness"
he pointed to chair, and the visitor seat
ed himself Immediately, crossing his muddy
boots, and folding his elfin arms upoti his
bosom, as he bent down his head and peereI
from under his dropping black brows straight
into Hiram Gormley's eyes.
ave have -four to sell, he said.
aWe p said Hiram, interrogatiYely.
e. and my partner, or more politely speak
ing my partner and ], " responded the little
man.
"Oh," said Hiram, "may I ask the name OF
the frm?"
"Td rather not mentiJn names until Pm
sure thatwe shall come to terms, replied
the little man. But let me tell you, Mr..
/ Gormley that such a chance has never been
offered to one man before. If you accept it
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 viii give
great sums for what they esteem as nothing
How many barrels do you think we have on
hand, my part er and ?'
{" How many 2" asked old Hiram, tremb-
! ling with eagerness.
Tha little man bent forward and wbis-
pered something in his ear which made him
start 20 his feet once more.
'' So many?n be cried. "Why the very
speculstors themselves viii be at my feet.
shall be the richest man in the whole world
/ I'll buy it ali in-all, all When can I see III
when can sign the contract Be quick
tell me where all the store is hidden 2"
" In our Office, said the little man.
@Where"
gHushl" whispered the little man; "therJ
is an underground passage and cellar OF
vault capable OF containing ten times what il
holds. As for the time, you may come with
me tonight, if you like, all hours are the
same to my partner and me-"
The words were scarcely out of his mouth
ere Hiram Gornlsy had hurried on his over
coat, dashed his broad brimmed hat over hil
eyes, and seized his gcld-headed cane with {
nervous grasp ofhis right hand. " Lead thl
way" be said-a lead the way-Id follow
you if you were going to the moon"
The stranger only grinned and passed oui
of the door before him.
At the gate stood a small vehicle, black a!
ink, and capable of containing only two per.
sons. A small elf-like pony was fastened t
its shafts, and little black boy held the reins
Hiram glanced doubttully at the shabby turr
out, but in compliance to q nod from his fel
low tray eler, stepped in and took his sea
beside him. If the shaggy pony was small
and uncompromising to look at, be wa.
nevertheless as feet of food as any race horse
and the dingy vehicle spun along at rat,
which made old Hiram cling to the sides with
DoLl lduUs anu suut us ~ g luttt uc ule
not grow giddy. Upon passing from thu
village, it turned down the broad country
road, and paused ct the margin of LITTLE
piece ofwoodland.
Your Office seems to be in a very strange
locality" muttered old Hiram suspiciously.
Not at all, replied the little man il
green; "only we are going by the under
/ ground way, so as not ~ attract attention ,
Ali" said old Hiram; Well, this doe
seem to be an under ground passage, sur
enough" for they were turning now into
sort Of cave, and only one faint ray Of ligh
il. the far distance saved them from beinl
wrapped in utter darkness. 81 shall be gla,
when am safe home again" be added t
himself "How do know where the fellow
is taking me ?"
But even as he SPOKE the distant ligh
grew larger, and the carriage paused at a