The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1866-03-09
Mistellaaeuas.
JOHN oAKHEART AND SON.

Young John entered his fathers Office as a
clerk at sixty pounds year, Of which he paid
his mother forty for his board, lodging and
washing, and clothed himself with the odd
twenty. Do not imagine that Mr.. 0akhcart' =
establishment required assistance. The old
gentleman desired to make his son feel inde-
pcndent-he was a man, earned his own livel.
hood, and he supported himself. At twenty.
five years OF age young Oakhcart marries, re.
ceying with his wife q moderate sum Of money.
lie wants to purchase share in his father 5
business; they cannot come TO terms. Young
John can make Il better trade with rival
house in the trade The old man hesitatcs: he
likes the sound OF John 0akheart & Son, but
business is business. Had his son married n
penniless girl, the father would have given him
what he now refuses to sell but now, business
is business, and, rs n ejaculation, he can't do
it. So young John becomes chief partner in n
rival firm to that which mus, one day be his,
and trades against the old man, whose only aim
is to lay up wealth for his son. Every day at
1 o'clock, leaning against particular corner
on change, stands the elder merchant, his
hands. deeply sunk into his dos-earcd pockets.
A young city man approaches they exchange
q quiet, careless nod:
"Fccl inclined to discount for 1900 at long
date?"
"what security'" asks old John; "Turk.
ish, 81 ?"
"NIy own, only; II is private matter, and
has nothing to do with our house," replies the
younger man. 81 will give you four per
cent"
al should want moro than that, as money
goes; say 1 j-S."
"Thc brokers only ask l-2," replies the
young man.
"rhcn give it," And they separate with an
Indifferent nod. That was father and son.
Every Sunday young John and his wife dine
at Russell Square, in the same house where old
Oakheart has lived for thirty years. His name
has been cleaned out OF the brass plate on the
door. This house young John looks upon, and
speaks of il as his home. All the associations
Of his childhood are thcre-cvery piece Of fur
niture is an old friend, every object is sacred to
his eye, from his own picture, taken at four
years old, with chubby face and tat legs, to the
smoke dried print of Gen. Abercrombic. They
form the architecture Of that temple Of his
heart-his homo. After dinner the ladies have
retired. The crimson curtains are comfortably
closed. The cracking Grc glows with satislac-
ton, and old John pushes the bottle over to
his son. II old John has weakness it is for
tawny port.
"Jack, my boy" ays he, "what do you
want with twelve hundred pounds? ?"
"well," replies young John, "thcrc is q
piece of ground next to my villa at Brixtou,
and they threaten to build upon it-if so, they
will spoil our yicw." Emily" meaning his
wife. "has often begged me to buy it and en-.
close il in our garden. Next Wednesday is her
birthday, and wish to gratify her with sur
prise but have reconsidercd the matter-I
ought not to afford it--so have given it up"
"Quite right, Jack, responded the old man.
alt would have been a piece Of extravaganza"
and the subject drops.
Mex, Wednesday evening being Emily's birth
day. the old couple dine with the young folks.
just before dinner old John takes his daughter
in.law aside, and places in her hands parch'
ment-it is the plot OF ground she coveted.