The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1876-08-11

In the eyes of Mr.. Baker, the
grass seemed to grow upon the
pavement before the door of the
declining tradesman. Dust set
tied thickly in his window, and
the old sign turned greyer and
greyer in the bleaching air.
"Going to the dogs, and no won
der, Baker would say to himself
as he went by. He appeared tC
take a strange interest in the
gradual decay of the mechanic:
fortune. One day a merchant
friend said to him:
"Do you know anything about
this Leonard I"
"WhyW
Because he wants to make a
pretty large bill with me-"
"On time"
eyes, on the usual credit Of six
months"
"Don't sell to him. Why, the
man is going to the dogs at rail
road speed"
Indeed 2"
eyes, I'm looking every day to
see him close up. He might have
done well, for he understood his
business. But he's so unaccom-
modating, and | might say, insult
ing to his customers, that he
drives the best Of them away. /
used to make large bills with
him, but haven't dealt at his shop
now for some time"
"Ah! | was not aware Of that.
am glad spoke to you, for
shouldn't like to lose six or seven
hundred dollars"
"Six or seven hundred dollars
Is it possible he wants to buy SO
recklessly? Take my advice and
don't think of trusting him."
eT certainly shall not"
When Leonard ordered the
goods the merchant declined sell
ing except for cash.
GAS you please" returned the
mechanic, indifferently; and went
elsewhere and made his pur-
chase.
1t happened that Mr.. Leonard
had a very pretty and interesting
daughter, on whose education the
mechanic took great pains; and it
also happened that Baker had a
son, who, in most things, was a
"chip of the old block" Particu-
larly was he like his father in his
great love for money; and scarce
ly had he reached his majory ere
he began to look about with a
careful eye to a good matrimonial
arrangement, by which plenty of
money would be secured.
Adelaide Leonard, on account
Of her beauty and accomplish
ments, was much caressed, and
mighty freely in society. Young
Baker had met her frequently,
and could not help being struck
with her beauty and grace.
"There's a chance for you," said
a friend to him one evening.
SIN Miss Leonardo
"Yes.n
"She'S a charming girl" ,"replied
the young man. Il wonder if her
father is worth anything!"
"People say So"
"IndeedH'
eyes, they say the old fellow
has laid up someteing quite hand
some, and as Adelaide is his only
child, she will, of course, get all
Of it."
III was not aware of that"
After this, young Baker was ex-
ceedingly attentive to Miss Leon
ard, and made perceptible in
roads upon her heart. He even
went so far as to visit her pretty
regularly at her house, and was
meditating an avowal of his at
tachment, when his father said to
him one day:
"What young lady is that | saw
you on the street with yesterday
afternoong"
"Her name is Leonard"
"The daughter Of old Leonard
i'll streetW
eyes sir"
Mr.. Baker looked grave and
shook his head.
Do you know anything about
her?" asked her son.
Nothing about her; but | know
that her father is going tc the
dogs as fast as a man ever went"
Indeed! ] thought he was
very well off,"
ooh, no! I've been looking to
see his shop shut up by the sher-
i'll, every day, for these two years
past"
"Indeed."
"Miss Leonard is a very lovely
girl"
"There's no gainsaying AIDE
ladies personal attractions" re-
piled the son; "but if her fatheris
in the condition you allege, that
settles the matter as far as am
concerned. am glad you intro
duced the subject, for | might
have committed myself, and,
when too late, have discovered
my error"
"And sad error it would have
been, Henry. | hope you will be
perfectly frank with me. / have
much more accurate knowledge