Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1878-10-04
JOHN, JUN.

John Basil Ximines, Greek merchant,
of Mincing lane, London, was in trouble
Not financial trouble, for the old house
stood on a firm foundation and no one
knew this better than Sam Postlethwaits,
Confidential book-keeper of the firm, and
the trusted friend of the Greek mer
chant. Therefore, when he saw John
Basil IN so anxious a mood, he resolved
to know and to share his annoyance.
"Ma-ter," he said, "you are in trou-
BILE. What is it?"
John, Jun. " was the prompt reply.
" He takes no interest in the business.
aud if he comes to the office, grumbles
and blunders till we are glad to see him
leave things. You know it is so, Sam. I"
"Johu, Jun, wants an object to work
for, sir. If he thought the firm was in
trouble now, he would be full of energy
and interest. No doubt of it, SIR"
"He has lost interest in everything !;
hunting, yachting, shooting, travel -
everything is bore"
Any lady in the case?"
"There il a governess at Sir Thomas
Oakes' l don't like-a tall girl with red
hair, and wonderful figure and color. p"
"Why don't you like her9"
"She is poor besides, John is to
marry Leanora Zeiton. I bought the
estate with that view. The two united
will make the finest in Middlesex. You
can put them together in a ring-fence. F."
''If you have told John, Jun., this,
he will never marry her.
"I have said nothing to John yet.
Zeiton and [ have talked over the mat.
ter, but the girl Leanora is yet at
school"
The two men sat thoughtfully few
minutes, and then Sam Postlethwaite
made an astounding proposal. "John
Basil, he SAID decidedly, "if you wish
to make man of your son, give up the
business to him awhile. You go to
Zante for a year or two, and let him feel
his feet. Put him in your place. I will
see no harm comes either to him or the
business. Drop few hard words about
Zeiton before you go it may help your
plans for Leonora." And half an hours
further conversation made the old clerks
plans clear to the father.
That night he said to his son, "John,
there are serious changes in hand.
must go to Zante, and the business in
Mincing lane will need your severest
attention and industry. 1t is a great
charge for young man. but Sam says
may trust you"
John rose at once to the occasion
"To be sure you may trust me, father.
Ii the o,d house of Ximines is in dan,
ger, I will work for it night and day."
"John, thank you. You make me very
happy and hopeful. Ii we tide things
over this year, we may not only keer
our standing, but also add greatly t.
our influence. And, John, don't let thi
place run down, don't want Zeiton t.
get the better Of me in this matter bu
don't have any thing to do with them
nothing whatever.
John readily promised. The mex
day his father left for Greece, and h,
left at once for the daily fight in Mine
ing lane. He was man sure to fai
and weary in small routines, but il
whom great trusts developed great re
sources and untiring energy and Sar
made him believe that the very exist
ence of the house of Ximines depende
upon his personal oversight and infu
ence.
1t was about year after his father
departure for Zante that Sam said, on
warm evening in June, "Mr John, 70
had better run down to the country an
see after the place. A change will
you good, and now that you have gC
the better of Zeiton about those olivel
there is nothing pressing for week.
SO John went to the country, resolve
to lie and dream under the blossomin
lilacs, and throw all care away. He WI
fully carrying out this intention OF
warm, sunny afternoon, when he hear
little stir of conversation, and the ri
pling music of girlish laughter. TIL
side of the garden adioined a little WOO
ed park, through which ran a rap
brook famous for it's excellent tro
fishing. AS it was strictly priva
ground, he wondered who were the tire