The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1866-10-18
A Father-in-La In spite OF Himself.

A good sell is related of wealthy banker
here, who is very good natured, but inclined
to be trife fast in his views Of life. He had q
favorite cleverish, ayoung man ofabout twen-
ty-one an remarkable handsome, modest and
highly intellectual. For those qualities he was
liked by every o 9, and the banker did not
escape the general feeling of good will. He
was as poor his salary, and had no connec-
tons to push him after fortune and so, like
most English clerks, he would rise to one
hundred and twenty pounds year, go on
for 8 years at ten pounds year rise, and
marry when he gets two bundled pounds
a year, henceforth to yegetate and find that
the additional ten pounds year rise only
keep pace with the additional babes IN the
household a.
The banker, on Sunday afternoon when no
one was expected, would occasionally ask the
young man to visit his young family at his
suburban villa; as the conversation of the
young man was correct and clever, it could
not but be of advantage to his children. This
was a mistake, evidently, but it was a good
natured error, and we eau only wish, all of
US, that there were more committed. | have
not mentioned that there was a beautiful
young daughter of nineteen, but that may
always be understood in any English family
that has known welded life long enough. But
there were. of course, no attentions on thepart
of the young man other than extremely deli
cate, reserved and proper. This will not al
ways be the case with English youth, as
Americans we'll know Don't chem" after
this. The youth, in spite of Two or three
days invitation to the bankers country seat,
to breathe fresh air and clear his lungs of
London smoke, was evidently very ill, and
though he declared himself well aud robust,
the banker shook his head.
II cannot m AXE out what is the matter
with my young clerk" said the ba, ksr to a
confrere who was in bis back Office with him
after the youth had just brought in some pa
pers.
well, you are green, should say for
man of your time Of life and experience" said
banker number two. Don't you see what's
the matter? he's in love- rs 1a,e d =.
''In love! bah He is modesty and proprie-
ty itself"
II tell you it is fact, and with rich old
fellows daughter who would no more think
of having him for son-in-law than you
would, yourself"
"Oh, the naughty old fool; my clerk il as good
as good as his daughter, and be hanged to
u.
AS soon as the bal, ker number two had
gone, the clerk was called in
$50, sir, you are in love, and piuing away
for the object of yoiir affectons--that's the
secret, is it? Why did you not tell me be-
fore, sir?"
The youth was silent
"Well, my boy, pity you; but l will give
you word of advice. If the daughter is
fair, she is worth making risk for. Look
here; there are $500 and two months leave of
absence. Run away with the girl Pah
don't look so stupid | did the same be-
fore you and it didn't hurt me
The clerk fell on his marrow bones, and
was upon TIE point Of making a clean breast
Of it, when the old man rose and left, precipi-
lately, to avoid the scene The young man
considered and acted, and the Consequence
was that the next day week there was no
young daughter at the dinner table of the
banker at the country house. The house
was in CONSERVATION, and search made for
her in all directions. A note, however was
found on her dressing table, conveying the
customary prayer Of forgiveness, and one en-
closed from the young clerk, stating that be-
lieving the banker had meant to give him a
hint in regard to his daughter, and was not
pearances, he had acted on the suggestion.
and that ere his "father-n-law" had received
the letter he would be his son-in-law. This
pill was bitter one and the joke terrible
one against him; so it was hushed up, and
has got to the ears of the purveyors of scan
dial, and to your correspondent who re-
cords it as trait of London life.
| RusKlN ON JUDAs.--In the Grown of Wild
Olives" John Ruskin thus characterizes, in his
trenchant style, those who live only to make
money as imitators of Judas: -
We do great injustice to lscariot, in think
| ing him wicked above all common wickedness.
| He was only common money lover, and like
all money lovers, didn't understand Christ:
couldn't make out the worth of Him, or mean
! ing of Him. He didn't want him to be killed.
| He was horror struck when he found that
Christ would be killed; threw his money away
instantly, and hanged himself How many
| of our present money seekers. think you,
would have the grace to hang themselves,
whoever was killed? But Judas wasa COM
mon, selfish, muddeheaded, pilfering fellow;
his hand was always in the bag of the poor,
not caring for them He didn't understand
Christ, yet believed in Him, much more than
most or do; had seen Him do miracles,
! thought de was quite strong enough to shift
for Himself, aud he Judas, might as well
make his little by perquisites out ofthe affair
| Christ would come out Of it well enough, and
be have the thirty pieces Now, that is the
money seekers idea all over the world. ..
AYnTJGE Gal ~