The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-10-29
SELECT STORY.
co.
CHAPTER /.
Dart, Maitland, Dart & Co.

been prudently and 'profitahly conducted
for as many years as the majority Of the
inhabitants of Highborongh could re-
CALL
Trade panics had laid waste many an
other long established firm, bankruptcy
had swooped unexpectedly upon many a
house with wealth that had seemed as
limitless as here; but the bank Of Messrs.
Dart Maitland, Dart and Co. held its
head high above all treacherous waters,
and stood unmoved and utterly secure
after the heaviest gale had passed.
The name of the firm was a passport
of trust and reliance; as well as prompt
introduction to the first society in the
country; and the present representatives,
were these-Maurice Dart, the senior
partner, handsome man of fifty years,
who imagined that the wishes, and
weaknesses, and hopes peculiar to other
men could not move him now; and
Walter Maitland. both in appearance
and manner, strong contrast to his
senior partner. Though but ten years
younger, he looked near thirty than forty
and the frankness of his blue eyes, and
the gay words SO prompt upon his lips,
seemed doubly frank and doubly gay,
contrasted with the seniors reticenee
and gravity.
The thIrd partner was one in name
alone. His fathers death had left him
a rich share in the bank, but his only in
terconrse with it was the polite perlodi-
cal acknowledgment Of its having swept
away the debts which were the most en-
emies he had to fight since he entered
the army.
About the Co. there was of conrse
that vagueness which is inseparable
from the cognomen. In. the outer world
it was supposed that an unlimited num-
ber Of people had invested their savings
or their patrimony on purpose to be
considered "of the firm" But among
the clerks only one case was known with
certainty. He was neither the oldest
nor the most experienced, though the
most cheerful, perhaps, and most indus
trious He had deposited in the firm
the sum which his father, through a
forty years course of valued and profit
able managership, had accumulated 10
bequeath him; and so, being enabled to
draw what doubled his salary as clerk,
Tom Leslie looked upon him as a part
ner Of no mean order; and built forty cas-
ties for time when his name should stand
upon the brass plate otherwise than as
Co. Cheerfully and constantly he erect
ed these ediices; but to attempt to lay
their foundations on terra frmd, either
by saving or specializing never entered
Toms head With his mother-a little
old LADY, as hopeful and cheerful and
trussful as he was himself-Tom lived
in a pretty white cottage beyond the
town, and a piano OH which he was no
mean performer. And as regularly as
Saturday morning came round, Tom,
taking his hat, would say in the most
natural manner, II think we should like
a couple of the younger fellows out to
dinner tomorrow; shouldn't we, mother7
Their salaries are not like mine; and
things are dear, your say"
True, their salaries are not like his;
but then he would not have the small
bright, house, nor the small bright
mother denied any comfort he could
think of, and so there was never one
penny of Toms salary left when the year
was up.
Once or twice Mrs. Leslie would in
quire ruefully where her son picked up
the dinnerless clerks whom he delighted
to bring home to supper, or, "a he always
called it, ga little music;" but her genial
hospitality was, after all, as prompt as
his; and so though she kept the accounts
there was, as said, never penny Of
Toms salary left when the year was up
"He thinks that four hundred pound q
year Of his, is kings revenue" thought
Mrs. Leslie, one Saturday morning
watching her son cross the roed, drop hii
gift into the expectant hand of the cross
ing-sweeper, and turn at the corner tC
adopt few young men whose salarie
are less than his own. IF he had but in
herited his fathers saving nature" She
tried to regret this dolefully, but, afte
all, she could not help the warmth o
perfect satisfaction filing her eyes.
Even his practical father rejoiced tha
his nature was his mothers, from tn
time that the nature began to assert ii
self in little Tom Little Tom" then t
his parents: "Little Tom Leslie" after
wards among his schooI-fellows; "Littl
Leslie" now among his fellow clerks.
On this particular Saturday morning
as he walked to the bank, Tom loitere
little in one street-a quiet street c
handsome private houses, before on
of which stood couple of cabs pil
ed with boxes. Tom waited long enoug
to be sure that the cabs bore nothing bu
luggage; than he walked briskly on, an
entering the bank excidedly, told b
feIlow-clerks Of the ARRIVAL of the Co
onel's household, and for fully Fl,
minutes forgot, in his excitement, to ad
his genial invitation for the morrow.
When the coming Of the regimel
had been discussed, and Toms pleasal
invitation accepted. he turned to h
desk, not to loiter again throughout Il
day. An hour afterwards. Mr.. Da
droveup, and with quiet "Good NOR
passed through the bank to his ov
quiet room. Here presently Mr.. Ma
land Joined him, and standing before q
fire, discussed various items oftown new
among them Of course, the arrival of u
regiment.
Colonel Conyngham has only OF
daughter; we mnst helpto introduce be
Young Dart having once belonged to 3