The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1873-07-17
SGL5stsSs Stories.
HARLEY,s CHANCES.
A STORY OF THE WEST.

Hr1Or 10 Lne great Qnanclal Crisis OF
1887, Joshua Martin was deemed the
msst prosperous merchant in the then
frontier city of st. Joseph, Wisconsin,
He was noted for his sterling integrity
and stainless character, and if he reVeled
IN wealth, he did not parade it before the
eyes of the people.
He came to St. Joseph in 1881, and at
once began to amass a fortune. Those
who pretended to know, said that the
merchant operated in eastern stocks, and
that the bulk Of his wealth was staked
among the bulls and bears of New York.
The memorable crash of that decade,
which embraces the dates above written,
ruined Joshua Martin. He had staked
everything In eastern securities, and he
suddenly found himself a comparative
beggar. Poor, blinded man He could
save nothing from the wreck, and he sal
among the ruins of his fortunes, like Mar
ius among those of Carthage. Forced to
relinquish the imposing residence, which
in his eagerness to delVe still deeper into
stocks, he had mortgaged away, he was
obliged to move his family, consisting o.
a wife and one daughter, to. an humble
dwelling; and from the date of that re-
moval, the Martins were no more men
toned IN the fashionable society of "St
Jo."
The troubles of the bankrupt's family
did not end here. The blow killed the
merchant. Though q strong man, he could
not bear up under his loss.
If few thousand had been taken from
him at intervals, he might have recovered
and regained his lost position; but the
destruction of tens of thousands at one
sweep of the wave overwhelmed him, He
sank rapidly, and died leaving his family
to buffet the waves of the world, and tc
do the best they could among those whe
once knelt at their feet, but who now did
not design to recognize them on the
streets.
When a rich man suddenly becomes
poor, the grave is the best place for him
1t is house of refuge, where he is safe
from the scorn of those whose equal anC
superior in social position he once was.
Mother and daughter took quite readily
10 their new lite. They sold much of the
gorgeous furniture which had ornamenteC
their late home. but kept the piano and 6
few other pieces which Maumee loved.
Maumee Martin had grown TO bewltch
ing Womanhood during her life IN St. Jo
seph, and her accomplishments rivaled he
beauty. After the death of her father
after her transformation into the child o
despised bankrupt-she did not shrinl
| from the duties tnat fell to her lot.
She must live she must earn her daily
bread and week after the change o
| life, we find Maumee Martin plying tn,
seamsrress' needle, or giving lessons il
music to a few children whose parent
sent them to her because she taught cheap
sr than regular music preceptors.
BY the by, the house which they occu
pied was sold over their heads; but tn
new owner-a great middle-aged, bu
somewhat handsome man-assured then
that they should not be turned out.
The new owner was a stranger IN st
Joseph; but Immediately after ,purchas
| ing the property above mentioned, b
/ opened commission store, and at ono
drew thriving business about him.
AndIeas Harley, for such was his name
came often to the home of the Martins
and reports went abroad to the effect tina
he intended TO wed the bankrupt's wid
ow.
'My chances are decidedly good" sal
the merchant one evening, as he ben
over the eounting-room desk. "The glI
appears coy, but she will come about i
4 cODl6 ft4lnk L 1El alIcI l4C mAO
oW; but never entertained thought i
that direction. The beauty of the daugh
ter would draw the widows most devote
adorer to her side. The girl is beauty
She must become Mrs. Harley; she shall
Yes"-after a long pause, and he slowf
turned from the desk-"Harley, you
chances are good-decidedly good. Yo
own their home, and IN the depth OF WIN
/ A.. IF Manr0a
becomes stubborn, and says No
/ He was the sole occupant of the coun
| ting-room; but as he crossed the thres
hold and turned to lock the door, ne hear
q footstep and a voice down the dar
aisle.
"Hold moment, Mr.. Harley. Re-ope
the counting room, please, wish q fe1
words with you"
The merchant recognized the voice {
one Of his clerks.
He did not reply, but stepped into th
cosy counting room, closely followed b
Philip Lee.
"Wen," he inquired, turning suddenl
upon the handsome young clerk. 'Spea
quickly, Mr.. Lee, l must be gone"
"An I desire to say is that SON
funds of the house have mysteriousl
disappeared"
"WhatP' cried the merchant, "say thi
again, boy"
The young man repeated his words an
added:
zone afternoon, while you were absel
East. l placed nine hundred and fifty do
lars in the safe, and the following mornlr
forty-five were missing"
i, "You have committed an error in coul
ting, possibly
@ff 1 cannot count money correct
when it is before my eyes, deserve to
thrown out of employment" SAID Il
n youth in an insulting air. Several tim
during your Abnenee have l noticed t
', peculatiors of some unknown person"
1t "Who had access to the safe ?'
4 al held the keys, sir," answered Phil
's quickly. 81 have not missed them Tor
single moment. But the cafe mad be-
opened by keys"
4. AndreSs Harley dropped his head