Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1875-12-23
FLOWER OF TEE DAISY-A CHRIST
MAS STORY.
BY JOHN ESTEN COOKE.

| 1t was Just q week before Christ
mas, and, perched on his threeleg.
| ged stool, in the counting room of
the great house of Worthington Bros.
old Joe Darling, the ancient book.
keeper of the firm, was finishing bis
Saturday nights entries.
While thus engaged hand was
laid upon his shoulder, and turning
his head he saw bis old gray-haired
employer, the sole survivor of the
firm, beside him.
1T is the last time, my old FRIEND
said the merchant, pointing to the
ledger; the news this evening decide
everything. Unless something hap
pens before the first of January,
Worthington Brothers must close
their doors, and wind up business,
Joer
Old Joe started as he heard these
melancholy words, and a tremor ran
through him.
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 Worth
ington Brothers will suspend pay
ment, sir?'
'Worse than that. Joe,' returned
the old merchant. i see no hope of
resuming. The heavy failures in
Europe have hopelessly involved US,
so that-he stopped with a gloomy ex-
preston in his eyes-'so that on or
before the first of January ne added,
the house will close its doors. |
could bear that, but when | think the
name of Worthington 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 say the 'dishonored' II is
not so bad =
Ruin! ruin utter ruin ! groaned
the old merchant.
No, no; not ruin See here. sir.
I--I-you-see, | have saved lit
tie
And old Joe drew from his pocket
book with unsteady hand, certificates
of deposit in bank:
Take it, sir 1t was made in your
service-honestly made-there is not
dirty shilling in it, sir. 1t is yours
and
He thrust the papers into the mer-
chants hand. But Mr.. Worthington
pushed them back.
NO, old friend said the merchant,
signing deeply, but in a voice of re-
signation--'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, are our Oldest and best. No, the
house has kept faith and honor for
fifty year. If ruin comes we will go
down alone. 1t is not our fault. l
do my duty, and trust to God, Joe, to
the end =
AS he spoke, the old merchant went
to his safe and took out a roll of bank
notes. Then he sent for the various
emplyes to be sent for, and paid them
all up to the end of the week. He
had kind word for each, and an in
quiry about every mans family or
concerns and then he turned to his
desk. But the men did not 60 away.
'What are you waiting for, my
friends? Can / assist you in any
| manner p asked the old merchant.
IF you please, sir said the fore.
most of the party, we would like to
leave our money in your hand. Eth?
And the speaker turned towards
his rough companions, who uttered a
hoarse murmur OF assent.
Leave your money in my hands =?
said the merchant.
Jest go, sir; we heard as how
times are hard with Worthngton
Brothers, and the house in difficulties.
| Now, we don't want our money as
yet, Mr.. Worthington. Ell, do you ?
And he looked towards those in
the rear. Another growl OF assent
replied.
'All of which, the spokesman ad-
ded, goes to say, sir, that we are not
in want. Keep the money Mr..
Worthington 7
The merchant gazed with deep
emotion at the rough, honest faces.
Thanks, thanks, my kind friends,
he said Il now see what it is to try
to do our duty. The truth of your
friendship touches me deeply-but /
cannot except your offer. Such a
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
daring, it seemed, to intrude further
on the head of the house.
Father in heaven, / thank Theel'
murmured the merchant, and turning
away he picked up the evening paper
to hide his emotions.
As his eye fell upon it, paragraph
attracted bis sttantion. 1t announced
the failure of the bank in which the
the old book-keeper's savings had all
been deposited. With a sigh he
! handed it to Joe Darling, and lid :
4 deeply regre. this my old fsaud,