The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1874-12-24

man, with kindly impulses, friends with
all the world, proud Of the prosperity
that was the work of his own hands, but
he became very grave and quiet, even
sad, absorbed in papers, and evidently
deeply troubled. Nell worried ever
the change, but waited to know the
cause.
The knowledge came one evening
when Walter Grantleyw was making call.
True to his promise, Uncle Charles was
irving to be friends with the young man,
and that he was succeeding was proved
by his speaking in his presence.
ssBad news, Nel," he said heavily.
81 am rlined man -
s'You, Uncle Charlas?''
Nell's arms were around his neck,
while his hand was taken IN a cordial
grasp by Walter.
envy dear SIR" Walter said, in a tone
of warm concern, ST hope it is not SO
bad as that
'sBut it isl was the broken reply; "If
I do not see my way out Of the middle
in a few days, the old house of Baldwin
must go iuto bankruptcy
''There is my money, Uncle Charles, )"
said Nell.
s'God bless the child! Do you think
I Will touch that No no. I am past
seventy, and if I must go down, I will
not drag your young life with me. But
I can't understand it all. Everything
seems to have gone on well, and yet we
cannot meet our obligations.
"Fraud?" suggested Walter.
"But where? Nelson is as puzzled as
[ am
Walter Grantley frowned little, but
by few questions and an unfeigned IL
terest soon drew from Mr.. Baldwin a
long story of lis perplexities and the
gravity of the danger menacing him.
Nell sat silent her heart swelling with
pride as she noted her uncles gradual
growing respect for his companion,
as the clear, searching questions, reveal
ed his intelligent comprehension of the
state of affairs. It was late in the even
ing when they separated; but, early in
the morning, Walter received little
note from Nell.
Uncle Charles is very i'll. He wishes to see
you. Can you come? Nen.''
In answer to the summons, Walter
was soon at the bedside of the invalid.
He was very i'll, gradually losing control
of his own thoughts, but he seemed to
wish Walter to examine his business.
By great effort he wrote paper ap-
pointing the young man his representa-
tive until he was better, and before
noon deliriIlm held him fast. For many
long days Nell scarcely left the sick
room, save for few hurried interviews
with Walter. The old man, exhausted
by his unwonted anxiety and application
to business, after years of comparative
idleness, lay between life and death,
fighting violent attack of fever. Even
when the raving was over and he knew
Nell again, he lay in a state of pitiable
weakness, unable to keep up settled
train of thought for two minutes togeth-
CT, and still in danger of sinking into a
death sleep.
Walter came often at night to take
Nell's place in the sick-room, and give
her some hours of sorely-needed rest,
and friends were plenty to help in nurs-
ing. Still, it was more than six weeks
after the evening when he opened his
heart to Walter Grantley, before Mr.
Baldwin seemed to remember his bus
mess perplexities. But one night, when
all the household slept, the invalid see
ing Walter seated beside him, said, in a
low weak voice.
els the warehouse closed 90
"Closed? No, indeed. Business was
never more prosperous"
''But how"
care you able to hear about it? You
have been very i'll, and must be patient
VIII it not be enough tonight to know
that all is going on we'll %
81 am stronger than you think. Tell
me how you saved the old ship from
wreck"
81 took control at once, as you gave
me authority to do. Before my grand
fathers death, and the legacy that made
it unnecessary for me to work, I was
bookkeeping in large warehouse, similar
to yours, for six years, and had know
ledge of the business. An examination
of your books soon convinced me that
they had been falsiied to frightful ex-
tent, and that checks drawn upon your
bank, IN your name, had beens used for
other purposes than the payment of the
obligations of the b11siness -