Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1871-02-03
John Oakhnrt and Son.

ana WaSlinG, ana clOtneu himself
with the odd twenty. Do not imag-
inc that Mr.. Oakhart's establishment,
required this assistance. The old
gentleman desired to make his son
feel independent-he was man; he
earned his own livelihood, and he
should feel that he supported him
self. At twenty-five years Of age
young Oakhart marries, receiving
with his wife a moderate sum OF
money. He wants to purchase a
share in his fathers business: they
cannot come to terms. Young John
can make a better bargain with a
rival house in the trade. The old
man heSitatcs; he likes the sound OF
John Oakhart 4 Son, but business
is business, and, as calculation, he
can't do it. SO Young John becomes
a chict partner in rival firm to that
which must one day be his, and
trades against the old man, whose
onl y sin is to lay up wealth for his
son.
Every day, at four o'clock, lean
ing against a particular corner on
Change stands the elder merchant,
bis hands deeply sunk in his dog
cared pockets. \ young city man
approaches: they exchange a quiet,
careless nod.
"Feel inclined to discount for FL,
200 at long date"
"What securitv?" asks tho old
man.
>"Turkish '54."
"Any names?"
"My own, ouly; it's a private mat
ter, and has nothing to do with our
house." replied the younger.
81 should want more than that, as
money goes-say AZ
"I'he brokers ask only 4 J. replies
the Young man.
"Thcn give it," And they scpa-
rate 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 Oakhart
has lived for thirty years. His
name has been cleaned out of the
brass plate on the door. This house
John still looks upon and speaks OF
as his home. All the associations
Of his childhood are thcrc-every
piece of furniture is an old friend
every object is sacred in his eyes,
from his own picture, taken ut four
wears old, with its chubby face and
fat legs, to the smoke dried picture
of Gen. Abercrombie. They form
the architecture of that temple OF
his hcart-his home.
After din er the ladies have re-
tired. The crimson curtains are
comfortably closed. The cracking
fire glows with satisfaction.
"Jack, my boy," says the father,
"what do You want with el.2oo?"
"Wcll, SIR" replies young John.
"there is Il piece OF ground next to
my villa at Brixton, and they threat
en- to build upon it; if 50, they will
spoil our view. Emily" ,"-meaning
his wife-''has often begged me to
buy it and inclose it in our garden
Next Wednesday is her birthday
and wish to crafty her with a sur
prise; but | have reconsidercd tho
mattcr-I ought not to afford it--so
| have given it up"
"Quite right, Jack" responded
the old man; sit would have been !;
piece of Extravaganza" And tn,
subject drops.
Next Wednesday, being Emily's
birthday, the old people dine with
the Young folks. just before din
ner, old John takes his daughter-in
law aside, and places in her hand ;
parchment-it is the deed of the lit
tie plat Of ground she coveted. H'
stops her thanks with Il kiss, and
hurrics away. Ere the ladies re
tire, Emily finds time to whisper
the secret to her husband. And the
father and son are alone. Watel
the old mans eyes fixed on the fire
for he has detected this piece of at
tectionate treachery, and is almos
ashamed of his act, because he doe,
not know how to receive his thanks
For few moments deep, gcntl,
feeling broods upon the young man.
heart: he has no wordS-it is a pray
er syllablcd in emotion that make'
his lips tremble; he lays his hands
upon his fathers arm, and theil
eyes meet.
"Tut, Jack, sir! pooh, sir! l
must all come to you some day
God bless You, my boy, and mak'
you as happy at my age as an
now" In silence the souls of thcs,
men embrace.
But who is that seraph that gath
ers them beneath her outstretche,
angel wings? | have seen her 4
the iiresidc, fluttering like a dov.
from bosom to bosom. | have seer
her link distant hearts parted b,
the whole world-she is the goot
genius Of the Anglo-Saxon family
| and hor name is Home.