The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1873-03-13
BartOn's Road TO Wealth.
From the New York Mercury.

again been pictured, with his bent figure,
threadbare clothes, and his inordinate
greed for gold. But Richard Barton
was a miser with none of the traditional
traits save the love Of gold. He was
sleek, well fed, and handsomely clothed
His misery qualities did not extend to
the cnrtailment Of individual comforts.
He lived in comfortable house In the
upper part Of New York city, witt, his
wife and son, both Of whom were his or
posites in character Indeed, few guess
ed Richard Barton's love of money ex-
cept those who came in contact with hin.
in matters Of dollars and cents. Then
his nature got the upper hand, and he
fought for the old cent with a vim that
betrayed him as an AFFECT worshiper of
the almighty" dollar
Charles, said Mr.. Barton to his son,
who had repaired to his presence at his
request. II have called you because I
wish to talk about matter of business -
Yes sir, - replied the son.
Sit down, Charles, for what | have
to say viii require some explanation. Are
you in iove?''
The blood mounted to the young mans
foce at this abrupt inquiry, but he man
fully met his fathers gaze as he replied:
Yes. ] am in love. p"
This confession seemed tie surprise Mr.
Barton, who sat for moment gazing
blankly at the burning face of his son.
And with whom p he finally asked.
"With Cora Mercer
Daughter of old Mercer, the shoe
maker around the corner p
"Ycs. sir.
why. she is beggar poor
Don't wound my feelings, father -
And now the fellows face famed with
something else than shame. She is
good, pretty, intelligent, and fairly edu-
Gated"
Are you engaged p
Not formally. although | believe
that we understand each other perfect,
ly.''
TITS lucky you are not, Charles and
the miser assumed an air that BODIED
communication of Importance Listen
to me. You know Bertha Langdon, the
Fifth-avenue belle, daughter of the mil
liouaire. Nish a quarter of million in
her own right. You must marry hcr."
Never -
'She is young-as intelligent and
pretty as your shoemaker daughter and
an heiress
but father, it is useless to talk about
it. | don't love her, aud she don't love
me- do love Cora, ard be does love
me. So, you see, there only one sound.
sensible course for me to pursue. |
shall marry Cora"
The father seized his hand. and ex-
claimed.
Would you do it and disgrace me?"
what DO you mean?"
Il mean briefly, that am bankrupt
that, instead of being wealthy. as you
suppose am on the verge of financial
ruin"
And You would have me marry the
heiress TO get possession Of her money %
1t is the only way
= No it isn't, father. Poverty is no
disgrace and will work to keep you
from want -
You force me to humiljatiag con-
confession, and the cid mans voice
grew tremulous. that | would have
gladly left unsaid If you refuse to
marry Miss I.angdon, a month will see
me in felon's cell y
"a felon $ cell p
Yes | am foreer; and, unless
ten thousand dollars are forthcoming
within a month, exposure and punish h.
ment must certainly follow Now you
know why ask you to marry the heir
ess. Will yon refuse ?" F
One hour before Charles Barton would
not have entertained the proposition for
an instant but now refusal that would
consign his own father to infa,ny Was
hard to speak. Naturally filial, warm
hearted and self sacrificing, he could not
the promise that Insured safety
to his parent
II will marry her ii she Will take me, =
he said, "and God help poor Cora -
Thank you, Charles; You have saved
me by that promise, and he wrung the
martyrs hand
The sons heart was too full of glief
for utterance, and he silently left the
room.
When the door was closed Richard
Barton sat down and laughed. \ low.
self eongratulatory chuckle, full OF salts
fed eomplacency.
'The boy believed every word said, =
he muttered to himself, land he will .
marry the heireSs like the dutiful son he .
is. Nc !; forger Ha, ha I'm much
too cute for that. even if necessity re-
quired which II don't. | am worth to-
day over a hundred thousand dollars.
saved bp sound business tact Charles
would have married the shoe-makcr's /
daughter. but I've compelled him Ia
MARY 4 fortune instead, and I'll get a
cool ten thousand OUT Of the job to ray
me Tor tie trouble. Now, to see the
CIR Is father
Half an hour later found him in the
private Office Of james Lansdon, The
banker. After the usual saluialions and
hand shaking. the nliser proceeded a;
once 10 business
Have You noticed an intimacy be
tween my SUI Uharles aad sour dasgA