The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1875-03-18
''Then what is the castle % urged the

old man playfully.
''Why, simply this said Walter,
laughing, but yet almost ashamed to tell
it; ''this noon Mr.. Osgood patted me on
the shoulder and said he-in his playful
way-Walter. I'll sell you all my inter
est here for $780, 0O.'"
Ha, Ia, ha, laughed Noah Bremen;
''and you thought he was in earnest"
''No, no!'' quickly returned the
young man. 81 did not think that
though [ know that the other two part
ners would willingly have NE for an as
sociate.' %
But 1t seems to me that old Osgood
holds his share III the concern at high
figure"
ooh, no. 1t is very low one. There
is a clear capital OF $500, 900 IN the bus
mess at this very moment; and think of
all the standing debts and good will
which goes for nothing"
cha, ha, ha," laughed the old man
again.
Then Walter laughed; and then Ag-
nes laughed; and then they finished
their supper.
On the next evening Walter Adams
came III and sank down upon the sofa
without speaking. He was pale and
agitated, and his eyes had a vacant,
wandering look.
Walter cried Agnes in terror,
''what had happened?'
Hes SICK muttered Noah Bremen
without turning round.
ono, no-not SICK" returned the
young man, starting up; ''but I am the
victim or some miserable trifing."
''Eh how so asked old Noah, turn
ing his chair.
'sI'H tell you,'' said Walter, with a
spasmodic effort. 81 had some long en-
tries to post this evening, so remained
in the counting after the rest had
gone. l was still at work when Mr.
Osgood came in and placed some papers
on my desk, saying as he did: "Here,
Walter, these are yours and then he
went out. When [ had finished my
work opened the papers. The first
was sort of inventory Of what Osgood
had owned in the business, and amount
ed Id square numbers to 1853, 1915. The
next paper was a deed conveying the
whole vast property to me, and making
me a partner in the concern upon equal
footing with the other tWo!''
''Weu," said the old man, humping
his foot upon the carpet, and keeping
time with his hands, 81 don't see any
thing very bad in that
'sBut I do, replied Walter. sit is
cauel to trife with me thus"
There was something in Noahs eye
again, but he managed to get it out, and
then he spoke thus
'Walter Adams, when young men
used to hover about my child, I believed
they were only after my gold; and [
knew that in most cases was correct. [
believed the same of you. I knew moth
ing but the love of money that could in
fuence human action. Ny heart had
become hardened by it, and my soul
darkened. But it was for my sweet
child to pour the warmth and light into
my bosom. It was for her to keep be-
fore me the image of the gentle wife
whom I had loved and lost, but, alas,
who occupied place in that love second
to my gold. It was for my child to
open gradually, but surely, the fourt
of feelings which had been for life
time closed up. I heard her pray for
me-pray that she might love me; and
that was after I had refused to let her
be your wife. I saw her grow pale and
sorrowful, and I knew 1 had done it
and she loved me still. And still she pray
ed God to help her-help her to what ?
Help her to love her father! [ was Kill
ling her, and she tried to smile upon
me. One evening [ heard you both
conversing in the old hut. My child
chose misery with duty to her father
rather than break the duty in union
with the man she loved. And you ut
tered prayer. You prayed that [
iobt be made nenniless-stOD hear
hear me through! You would then
show your disinterestedness. [ walked
away and pondered. Gould it be that I
had found man who would love an old
wretch like myself with no money? II
it was so then that would break the last
layer of crust from my soul. deter
mined to test you. I had gained glin-
mering of light-my heart had begun to
grow warm-and [ prayed fervently
that I might not be disappointed. L