The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1874-12-25
FLOWER OF THE DAISY.
A Christmas Story.
BY JOHN EsTEN COOKE.

/.
liz was lust a week before Christmas
and. perched on his three-legged STOOL II
the counting-ro0m OF the great house o
Worthington Brothers, old Joe Darling
the ancient book-keeper of the firm, wa
finishing his Saturday-night's entries.
While thus engaged, a hand was laid OF
his shoulder. and, turning his head. he saw
his old gray-haired employer, the sole sur
vivor of the firm, beside him.
- IL is the last time, my old FRIEND
said the merchant, pointing to the ledger
Z" the news this evening decides every
thing. Unless something happens before
the first Of January, Worthington Broth.
ers must close doors, and wind up bust
ness, Joe."
Old Joe started as he listened TO these
melancholy words, and tremor ran
through him.
I" Don't say that don't say that, Mr..
Worthington, sir! = he exclaimed. And
he dabbed his bald forehead with his old
bandanna handkerchief as he spoke.
Don't say that worthngton Brothers
will suspend payment, SIR
"Worse than that. joe" returned the
old merchant. with heavy sigh. - see
no hope Of resuming. The great failures
in Europe have hopelessly involved us--so
that he stopped, with a gloomy express
sion in his eyes-''so that, on or before
the first of January" he added. "the
house will close its doors. / could bear
that /; but, when think that the name of
Worthington Brothers will be-dishon-
ored-'
There the old merchant broke down.
Joe Darling seized his hand, and cried, in
trembling voice
Don't, den't.-don't say that, sir
Don't use this word dishonored. 1t is
not so bad
"Ruin, ruin.-utter ruin :" groaned
the merchant.
mo, no; not ruin See here, sir. L
lyon see, have .aved a little"
And old Joe drew from his p0cket-bo0k.
with unsteady hands, certificates of depos-
II i'm bank.
"Take il. sir ! II was made in your SER
vice honesty made-there's not dirty
shilling in il. sir Ii is yours-and-"
He thrust the papers into the merchants
hand. But Mr.. Worthington pushed
them back.
=" No. old friend.'' said the merchant.
signing deeply. but speaking in a voice of
resignation" no, that is not the way
Worthington Brothers do business! If
we fail. ii shall be honestly-alOne-af
honorable exertion. We will not drag
down our friends and you, Joe. are our
oldest and best. No. the house has kept
faith and honor for fifty years. If ruin
comes, we will go down alone. X is not
our fault. will do my duty, and trust in
God, Joe, to the end :"
As he spoke. the old merchant went to
his safe and took out roll of bank-note
Then he directed the various employees to
be sent for, and paid them all up to the end
Of the week. He had kind word for
each. and an inquiry about every mans
family or concerns; and then he turned to
his desk. But the men did not 90.
What are you waiting for. my friendsg
Can ! assist you in any manner" asked
the old merchant.
III you please. SIR" said the foremost
Of the party. /. we would like to leave our
money In your hands.-Eh?"
And the speaker turned toward his
rough companions, who uttered a hoarse
murmur of assent.
leave your money in my hands,"
said the merchant.
jest so, sir" was the reply. ave |
hear tell how times are hard with Worth \
ington Brothers, and the house in Difficult /
ties. Now. we don't want our money as
yet, Mr.. Worthington.-Eh? Do youg"
And he looked toward those In the rear.
Ano' her grOwl Of assent replied
"Ali which," the spokesman added,
goes 10 say. sir. that we are not In want.
Keep the money. Mr.. Worihington -
The merchant gazed, with deep emo
ton, at the rough. honest faces.
Thanks. thanks, my kind friends.r
he said. ~ now see what IL Is to try to
do our duty. This proof Of your friend
ship touches me deeply-but can not ac-
cept your offer. Such small sum, besides.
would be OF little service to me. No. no
keep IT, and may God bless you and
yours
The employees retired on this. not dar-
ing 1t seemed, to intrude further on the
head of the house.
Father in heaven, thank Thee ~ muir.
INJURED the merchant, and, turning away,
he picked up the evening paper, to hide
his emotion. As his eye fell upon il, a
paragraph attracted his attention. liz an
nounced the failure of the bank in which
the old book-keeper's savings had been
deposited. With sigh, he handed ii 10
Joe Darling. and said:
~ deaply regret this, my old friend.
MY ruin was enough ~
Old Joe read the announcement with
SINKING heart, and echoed the sigh of his
friend. rs
"Thc Lords will be done, sir.n he said