The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1877-09-27
''CO.'' y
CHAPTER |
Dart, Maitland, Dart & Co."

so the name stood upon the great brass
plate; and in these names had the bust
ness of the bank been prudently and
protitably conducted for as many years as
the majority OF the inhabitants of High
borough could recall.
Trade pancs had laid waste many an
other long established firm; Bankruptcy
had sWooped unexpectedly on many a
house where wealth seemed as linitlcss
us here; but the bank OF Messrs Dart,
Maitland, Dart & Co held its head high
above all treacherous waters, and stood
unmovcd and utterly secure after the
heaviest gales had past.
The name of the firm was a passport
Of trust and reliance as well as a prompt
introduction to the first society of the
country: and the present representatives
were these Maurice Dart, the senior
partner, handsome man of fifty wears.
who imagined the wishes, the weakness
and the hopes peculiar to other men,
could not move him now; and Walter
Maitland, both in appearances and man
ner, a strong contrast to his senior part
ner. Though but ten Years younger, he
looked nearer thirty than forty, and the
tranllncss Of his blue eyes, and the gay
words so prompt upon his lips, seemed
doubly frank and doubly gay. contrasted
with his seniors reticence and gravity
The third partner was one in name alone.
His fathers death had left him rich
share in the bank, but his only inter
course with it was the polite periodical
acknowledgement OF its having swept away
the debts. which were the worst enemies
he had had to fight since he entered the
army. About the "Co.r there was of
course that vagueness inseparable from
the cognomen. In the outer world it was
supposed that an unlimited number Of
people had invested their savings of their
patrmony 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 eX-
perienced, though the most cheerful. per
haps. the most Industrious. He had dc
posted with the firm the sum which his
father, through u forty years course of
valued and profitable managership, had
accumulated to bequeath to him and so,
being enabled to draw what doubled his
salary as a clerk, Tom Leslie looked upon
himself us d partner OF no mean order,
and built lofty castles for time when his
name should stand upon the brass plate
otherwise than us ''CO." ChcertuilY and
constantly he erected these editices; but
to attempt To lay their foundations on
terra trna, either by saving OF speculat-
ing. never entered Toms head. With his
mother-a little old lady as hopeful and
cheerful and trustiul as he was himself l.
Tom lived in a pretty white cottage be
yond the town; and here he had flowers
all the year round, and birds that sang in
the gloomiest weather, and Il piano on
which he was no mean performer. And
as regularly as Saturday morning came
around, Tom taking his hat, would say,
in the most natural manner: II think we
should like a couple of the Younger tcl-
lows out to dinner tomorrow shoul'm t
we. mother Their salaries are not like
mine, and things are dear, you say.
True, their salaries were not like his,
but then he would not have the small,
bright house. nor the small, bright mother
denied amy comfort he could think of, and
so there was never one penny Of Tom S
salary left when the year was up.
once or twice Mrs. Leslie would in
quire ruclully whore her son picked up
the dnnelless clerks whom he delighted
to bring home to superior as he called
it, ITO little music" But her genial
hospitality was, after all, as prompt us
bis, and SO, though she kept the accounts,
there was. as | said, never Il penny ol
Toms salary left when the year was up.
'|lIe thinks that that t.4UO of his is Il
kings revenue" thought Mrs. Leslie, one
Saturday morning, watching him cross
the road, drop his gift into the eNpectant
hand OF the crossing sweeper, and turn
at the corner to nod to her ellie will
soon expect me to adopt Il few young
men whose salaries are less than his own.
If he had but inherited his fathers say
ing nature," She tried to regret this dole
fully: but, after all, she could not help
the warmth Of perfect satisfaction filling
her eyes.
Even his practical father had reioiccd
that his nature was his mothers from the
time that nature began to assert itself in
little Toms Little Tom" then to his
parents; 'Iittle Tom Leslie" atterward
among his schoolfeloWs: Little Leslie
now among his fellow clerks.
On this particular Saturday morning,
as he walked to the bank, Tom loitered d
little on one street-a quiet street Of hand
some private houses, before one Of which
stood Il couple of cabs piled with boxes.
Tom waited long enough to be sure that
the cabs bore nothing but luggage. Then
he walked briskly on, and, entering the
bank cXcitedly, told his fellow clerks OF
the arrival OF the Colonel's household,
and for fully five minutes forgot, in his
excitement, to add his genial invitation
for the morrow.
When the coming of the regiment had
been discussed, and Toms pleasant inyi-
tatlon accepted, he turned to bis desk
not to loiter again throughout The day
An hour atterWard Mr.. Dart drove up
and with a quiet "Good morning" passed
through the bank to his own private room
Here presently Mr.. Maitland joined him
and standing before the fire, discussed
various items Of town newS-amOng them
Of course the arrival Of the regiment.
- Colonel tonyngham has only one
daughter. We must help to introduce
her Young Dart having once belonged
to the regiment, gives it, as it We're, q
claim upon us.
The "Colonels daughter will need but
little Introduction remarked Maurice
Dart quietly
CHAPTER ii.
"Dart, Maitland, Dart & Co."
The names stood unaltered on the great
plate; yet-cXccpt the sleeping partner
away in India now-each one represent
ed by that sign was perfectly aware that
a great alteration had been growing il
himself ever since Colonel Conynghan
and his daughter had been living in High
borough. The strong bank walls no longer
limited his hope and ambition. Beyond
them stood revealed home of love, an(
ease, and sunshine, brightly possible
and in this future the only mission of tho
good old bank was to furnish the home
with luxury.
1t was winter night. The bank win
dows were bolted and barred, the great
books were locked away in the trusty
safes, and the manager was asleep NJ
stairs. with the loaded blunderbuss be
side his bed. But in his brilliantly light
nI ,lrn,-ipcr cr mann ot homn tbn cnpior ~ IF