The weekly Oskaloosa herald. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Iowa) 1855-1885, 1873-07-17

OuIll, unLll tnaCS Wnat yO
you young fellows always say
might have known better than t
trust you, but thought you had a
honest face-the more fool %
"Come my good fellow, said Hal
quietly, "No more of that, or shal
have you put out of that door quick
er than you came in it. Here are you
ten dollars the rest l will pay 20,
AS soon as l can spare it."
Sand that will be never" mutter
ed the man, pausing with his han'
on the door knob, he added, eff yol
don't pay it within two weeks, II
have you in court for it, that's all.
"There is an insolent fellow TO
you p exclaimed Chester, as his Wis
itor disappeared. 'But l can't blame
him. have no doubt he has beer
cheated many time by youngster'
like me-"
Early on the following morning
the young man started forth to visit
a friend of his fathers with whose
family he had been on terms of in
timacy from childhood.
Mr. Graham was a wealthy mer
chant, a good natured, whole-souled
man, who dearly loved a joke,-so
dearly, indeed, that it mattered no,
to him, even though the laugh was
at his own expence,-he joined in as
heartily as another. Being the man
he was, we cannot wonder that Hal
Chester should bend his steps toward
his office, for advice, ce,-even had there
existed no other attraction to draw
him there, but-Qet US whisper in
your ear, reader,) Mr.. Graham was
Mays father.
That young Chester regarded him
with esteem, as his late fathers
friend, Mr.. Graham we'll knew; that
there was yet more potent reason
for such feeling, he did not sus,
pect. The good old gentleman suf-
fered under the proverbial blindness
of parents, else the strong affections
that united his only ,child and the
PChhhOoo yOuhS "ohS Souio hoe
have escaped his observation.
He gave Hal Chester a cordial
greeting, as he entered his office,
and the latter at once laid before him
the state of his affairs.
81 wish l could give you a clerk
ship myself" said Mr.. Graham, as
the young man concluded. / GER
tainly would if l had the shadow of
excuse for dismissing any one of
those l already have. But have
not"
81 would not have you do such a
thing, Mr.. Graham. All ask is that
you will use your influence among
friends. must get employment of
some kind very soon."
"Well I'll help you to the full ex-
tent of my ability. But if you want
my advice, it is this, Hal Chester
you are nice young man, handsome,
and have brains if you have not mon.
ey. What's to prevent your marry
ing q fortune? Run off with some
heiress, man, make bold push and
you are bound to win."
Mr.. Graham threw himself back in
his chair, and laughed, while the
young man watched him eagerly
with a curious expression on his
face"
"What, sir 70 he exclaimed, would
you advise me to do such thing
Run off with young lady withoa,
her fathers consent ?"
"Ha ! ha! why Of course l would
If only you can get the chance, that's
all /! Do you find the lady, my boy,
and I'll find the means to help you
carry her off to the minister's"
"Well," but said Chester, the Gu
rious expression deepening on his
face, while he effected TO laugh
"Let US suppose the young lady
found and that she is ready to run
off with me, what would her father
say to us =? Think you, sir, would any
man forgive penniless young man
for marrying his heiress, ,-clandes.
timely.
"Why, of course he would Peo
pie always get resigned to what they
cannot help. l know that from ex.
perience. 1t would be the best stroke
of fortune that ever CHANGED you, my
boy, just such an opportunity as
this"
The young man looked down in
profound thought, and after a mo.
ment's h esitation, said /:
"Well, sir, since you think such q
chance to better my fortunes should
not be neglected, l will try what
can do. In truth, sir, l have lady
in view, and if once assured of hel
fathers forgiveness, l believe
should have but little difficulty ir
persuading her to take drive to the
minister's with me. If / can get hel
consent, sir, will you use all your
influence with him, for he will be dis
appointed, l fear. He intends his
daughter to marry a rich man yor
know him personally, SIR"
"Ha i! do /? Who is he ?"
''He is merchant;. that is all
can tell you at present; remember
that | have no right to betray tht
lady"
"You're right" exclaimed Mr.
Graham, "and l can tell you thi
much: whoever he is, he ought t.
be proud of having you for son-in
law. Just go ahead and win. II
help you; you shall 60 off in my car
riage, and after it's done, I'll sooth'
the old father; and l promise tha
he will take you into his business be
fore many months are over-els'
more fool him. Ho! ho! wha
a glorious joke it will be Faith m,
boy, I'd help you if only for tn
sake of the fun, let alone your own.
Had not Mr.. Graham been 81
much tickled at the idea of the jok
he hoped would be played on som
one, he must surely have been start
led, at the strange look that tiashe'
from Hal Chester's eyes. The youn,
man was no dissembler, and had hi
old friend been at all suspicious O
the true state of affairs, he must hav
betrayed himself.
Dreading least he should do Sc
Chester now bade the merchan
adieu, the latter called after him
"Dont forget to come to me, if yo
succeed-I want to have hand i
the joke. And hark ye, my boy,
you do the deed in week, I'll pa,
your tailOr's BILL"
The young man did not at once re
turn to his boarding house; hi
thoughts were in too great tumul