Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1873-12-25
FLOWER OF THE DAISY.
A Christmas Story.

It was Just week before Christmas,
and, perched on his three legged stool,
in the counting room of the great house
of Worthington Brothers,, old Joe OAR
ling, the ancient book-keeper of the
firm, was finishing his Saturday nights
entriesss
While thus engaged hand was laid
on his shoulder, and turning his head,
he saw his old grey-haired employer,
the sole survivor of the firm, beside
him. Z. f ss.a ......,n
Its TIE last time, my old TREND"
said the merchant, pointing to the
ledger: ! vs 6 the. news this evening de-
'cides everything. Unless something
happens before the first of January,
Worthington Brothers must close
doors, and wind up business, Joel"
Old Joe started as he listened to
melancholy words, and q tremor ran
through him.
':Don't say that! don't say that, Mr..
Worthington I" he exclaimed. And he
dabbel his bald forehead with his old
bandanna handkerchief as he spoke.
ssDon't say that Worthineton Brothers
will suspend payment, sir.
"Worse than that, Joe," returned
the old merchant, with heavy sigh.
6 I, see. no hope of resuming. The
great failures in Europe have hopeless
" Involved us-so that The stopped
with gloomy expression in his eyes
$50 that, on or before the first of JAN
uary," he added the house will close
it's doors. / could bear that but,
when 1 think that the name of Worth
ington Brothers will. be dishonored-
There the old merchant broke down.
Joe Darling seized his hand, and cried,
in trembling voice:
"Don't, don't don't say that, sir
Don't use that word 'dishonored + It
is rot so :bad!"l
"Ruin! ruin! utter ruin!" groaned
the merchant.
mo, no; not ruin | See here sir.
I-I-you see, I have saved little"
And old Joe drew from his pocket,
book with unsteady hands, certificates
OF deposit in banks.
20 Take it, sir! It was made in your
service! honestly ma1e-there's not a
dirty shilling in it, sir. 1t is yours
and"
He thrust the papers into the mer-
chants hand. But MIR. WorthingtOn
pushed them back.
"No, old friend, said tue merchant,
signing deeply, but speaking in voice
of resignation-"n no, that is not the
way Worthington Brothers do business.
If we fail, it shall be honestly-alone-
after honorable exertion. We will not
drag down our friends, and you. Joe,
our oldest and best. No, the house
has kept faith and honor for fifty
years. If ruin comes, we will go down
alone. It is not our fault. I will Dc
my duty and trust in God, Joe, to the
end"
A. he spoke, the old merchant went
to his safe and took out roll of bank
notes. Then he directed the various
employees to be sent for, and paid them
all up to the end of the week. He had
a kind word for each, and an inquir,
about every mans family or concerns
and then he turned to his desk. But
the men did not go. :
"What are you waiting for, my
friends2" Can I assist you IN an,
manner?" asked the old merchant.
eff you please, sir" said the fore
most of the party, eve would like tt
leave our money i'll your hands. Eth z
And the speaker turned toward hi
companions, who uttered hoarso mur
muir of assent.
Leave your money in my hands g
said the merchant.
!, "Just 80, SIR was the reply. wv
hear tell how times are hard witt
Worthington Brothers, and the hous
in difficulties. Now, we don't want on
money as yet, Mr.. Worthington. ELI
Do your"
Aud he looked toward those in tn
: rear. Another growl of assent replied
I, can which," the spokesman addci
: "goes to show, sir, that we are not i,
l wnnt. Keep the money, Mr.. Wortl
: ington."
7 Tho merchant gazed, with dee
: emotion, ut the rough, honest faces.
o Thanks, thanks, my kind friends
), he said. "This proof Of your .frien.
l. ship touched me deeply--but cann,
o accept your offer. Such small SIM
@ besides, would be of little service. N
d no, keep it, and may God bless yc
and yours !"