Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1869-06-30
AFORTUNATE RUIN.
CHAPTER 7.

. NhAElEh L
GEORGE BONTON sat in his room in his
( hotel. He was young man of twenty
| six, tall and slender, with face OF eX-
/ traordinary intellectual beauty. He was
/ dressed in costly garments, though ms
/ toilette was but indifferently performed.
/ He was an orphan and for some time
] had lived at a hotel. It required but a
single glance into his pale features to tell
/ that he was an invalid. He sat with his
! head resting upon his hands, and ms
whole form trembled as though with
some powerful emotion.
/ As the youth sat thus, the door open
ed and an elderly gentleman entered.
"Ah, doctor, you are moving early
/ this morning" said BontOn, as he Ian
/ guidIy rose from his seat and extended
his hand.
"Oh, not early for me, George" re
1 turned DR.. Melville, with a bright
smile. az am an early bird"
"Well, you have-caught the worm
this time,
"I hope it will prove a valuable one. "
~ don't know sighed the youth
"I fear a thousand worms will inhabit
this poor body ere long"
Nonsense, You are worth half a cen
tury yet cried the doctor, given him a
gentle slap on the shoulder "But tell
me George how is it with Rowland ?"
''Just as 1 told you. All is gone"
81 don't understand it, George"
"Neither do II said the young man,
sOrFoFftilly. "ThRt Charles Rowland
could have done that thing, I could not
have believed. Why, had an angel ap-
peaTed to me two weeks ago and told me
that Rowland was not trustworthy, l
would not have given a moments atten-
ton to it. But only think, when my
father died, he selected for my guar
dian his best faTiend, and such l even
now believe Charles Rowland was,
and in his hands he placed his wealth,
and for him to keep until | was of age.
And when l arrived at that period of
life ] left my money where 1t Was-I had
no use for it. Several times within three
or four years has Rowland asked me to
take my money and invest it and I
would not. / told him to keep it and
use it if he wished. l only asked that
when I wanted money, he would honor
my demand. felt more safe, in fact
than I could have felt had my money
been in bank of deposit"
"HOw much money had he when he
left" sEf f-s tf
4AOW LlAAANll VI lllllt
"Yes.U
"He should have had over a hundred
thousand dollars"
"What do you mean to do ?u
" All, YOU have me on the hip tllere.p
-"And yet you must do something,
George. Heaven knows I would keep
you if could.
1 shall claim the privilege of paying
your debts, however,
"NO, no, doctor, none of that"
"But I tell you / shall. I shall pay
your debts but beyond that I can only
help you to assist yourself. What do you
say to going to sea?n Fl
A faint smile swept over the youths
pale features at this remark.
"I should make a smart hand at sea.
Doctor, can hardly keep my legs on
shore No, nO,-I nlust.--pf
Must what ?" e.
"Ah, know not. I shall die-that is
all. "
Nonsense, George. 1 say go to sea.
You couldn't go into a store, and you
would not, if you could. You do not
wish to remain here amid the scenes of
your happier days. Think of it; at sea
yOu will be free from all contact with
things you lOathe. Think of it.
George BOntOn started to his feet, and
paced the floor for some minutes. When
he stopped a new life seemed already at
work within him.
"If Iwent to sea, what could do ~
You understand all the laws of for
Cign trade"
Yes. You know I had a thorough
schooling at that in my fathers count
ing-hOuse.n
"Then you can obtain the berth of a
sUpeT-cargO."
Are you sure I can get one ~
Yes"
"Well, then, DR.. Melville, it's settled.
I will 60"