The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1877-04-04
a PERFECT MISER.

i'ooS"h" . oSN5 ~ - oAhPAJ SVANN"l
table. aahH
The old lawyer who spoke was one
who had known Stephen Bascomb
from a boy, and he looked his indig-
nation as plainly as he spoke it. His
companion. an old friend he had met
at Long Branch, had commeAted up
on the very cheap apparel of the
young gentleman SO severely critics.
ed. Now Ae spoke again.
But is he wealthy, as they sayY
He inherits half - million under
the will of his uncle Charles Barcomb.
drew up the will myself, aud more
than that, | manage the estate. With
such a fortune at his command, Ste
phen Bascomb lives in a half room in
a small boarding -house. wears the
cheapest apparel to be found in New
York, and boards his money. put
it in the banks when ] collect the
rents and interests, and there it lies. |
hate such niggardly spirit
But he comes to Long Branch,
That is the odd part OF it. He
haunts. the best society, and the best
society c,urts him, knowing his real
wealth, and attributing his manners to
eccentrieiiy Eccentricityl rubbish 7
i like him, for all, said Mr.. Rus
sell, tue companion of the old lawyer,
Judge Elerton, 4 like him
OF course you do snapped the
Judge, Everybody does. lie is the
very soul of honor, man Of undoubt-
full talent, brilliant in conversation,
and a perfect gentleman. Before his
uncle died, he was one Of the most fas-
tidious and elegant men ever saw.
Now look at him.
Mr.. Russell looked. He saw, lean
lug up against the pillar of a porch, a
tall, handsome man of twenty-five in
an i'll fitting suit Of coarse material, +,
gloveless, with clean but cheap linen,
and common straw hat. And yet
a man who carried his head erect and
Iooked at the world from pair of
large, brown eyes, that were the fear
less, honest eyes of a man who carried
an easy conscience. .stif sa wst
As these same eyes looked out over
the groups upon the beach, they sud
denly lighted with fash of radiant
pleasure, then shaded gravely till they
expressed only proud sadness. Mr..
Russell, following their glance, found
it rested upon his own niece. his pride
and darling, Edna. She was coming
toward the porch, but was still at some
distance.
'Ellcrton, he said, suddenly, 'have
you no other reason to ascribe to Ste
phen Bascomb's eccentricity, as you
call it, to any other cause than mean,
avaricious spirit 2
The lawyer looked keenly into the
face Of his friend.
AN odd question: he said gravely.
But one / hope you will answer.
You know how dear Edna is to me,
and you may have seen that she ac-
cepts Stephen Bascomb's attentions
with pleasure. He has spoken no
words yet TO bind her to him, and yet
he loves her. Would you give a daugh-
ter Of your own into his keeping2'
"A year ago | should have said yes,
with all my heart. But now, since
his uncle died. he has changed So
and yet
There, there, tell what know i:
near your lips ls it meanness, eI
may there BE some Other notiveg
In Charles Bascomb's will there
was a sealed letter for his nephew, tC
be delivered after the will was read
l delivered it; what it contained
never knew
HIN It's queer worldp
Stephen Bascomb thought il was Q
queer world, too, as he sauntered intC
the hotel just as Edna Russell reach
ed the porch steps. He saw the lonl
Of painful surprise in her eyes, anC
yet lie Aent from her though his bear
went out to her with all his burden o
love. In his own room he took from
his bosom a sealed letter, broke con
fning wax, and read it slowly.
Only this to burn he thought, 'ant
love, wealth and happiness are mine
have searched faithfullyl Bat m,
time of probation has only commenc
ed Ii Edna knew-she shall know
She, shall, at least, know how l lOv
hern
Full of this new resolution Stephe
Bascomb once more sought the porcf
where Edna still fingered by her IN
, cle's side. She was a lovely girl c
about nineteen, with soft, violet eye
aud auburn hair that clustered in sur
ny ringlets above low, broad brow
Without startling heauty, her fac
was Winsome, ard it had charme
Stephen Bascomb from the first hou
! when his eyes rested upon it.
! The afternoon sun was creeping
| tho vida poroh aad t,nst Of tho 0naai