The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1878-11-28
Ike MARBLEHEAD,S SECRET.

opinions and his affairs all to himself.
There was an atmosphere of mystery
surrounding him, like a London fog,
and his neighbors, worthy people, were
very anxious to see through it. His
career in Pittsburg as storekeeper had
been profitable and without reproach.
but his friends, conscientiously micro
scopic as all friends are in their judg-
ment of one another, discovering no
stain on his character, were reasonably
angry, and talked vaguely about the
cloak of religion hiding very shabby un-
der-garments; for Ike Marblehead,
bowed and venerable with years, attend
ed divine service twice ON Sundays with
the regularity of clockwork. Although
his lank figure, long, sharp face, and
prolonged vowels stamped him as a
Yankee, there were those who said his
drawl was affectation, that he was one
of those compulsory patriots who leave
their country for their country's good,
and that he was a son of perfidious
England. His want of communicative
ness was a prolific source of aggrava-
ton. OF his antecedents, prior to his
settling in the city of cannon and Goals,
nothing was known, and in the opin-
ion of those about him, some
youthful error, banishing him from
his birthplace and relations, ac-
counted for his silence respecting
the past. In business point of view,
he was a good man. His checks were
always honored, and his orders always
filled. Without wife and without
children. Ike Marblehead seemed to care
for naught beyond money and a strict
observance of the forms of religion,
perhaps esteeming the latter capital
investment of time. The owner of many
tenements, occupied by poor people, he
did his duty as a landlord to the very
letter, but he never gave to the poor,
and would have his rent at the proper
time. Nay, he was once heard to say
that the man who fails to meet his mon
etary engagements ought to be put in
prison.
Wen, it is evident that Ike Marble
head was on no account better than he
ought to be. People in large cities care
little for one another, except CONNER
clally or politically, and are much too
busy to indulge in the amusement of
picking holes in the coats of their
neighbors, unless their neighbors hap
pen to be prominent men, and calumnv
serves politically profitable, or COM
merciaiiy profitable, purpose. In small
places like Pittsburg, years ago, gossip
is break in the monotony of daily life,
and if it is highly spiced with unfavor-
able reports and remarks about this or
that individual, warranted or other
wise, the enjoyment is considerably en-
hanced. s.
One fire morning in June, Kehoe's
groggery was full of its usual frequent
ers, loafers, local politicians, travellers
stretching their legs tiffin-taking busi
ness men, and grim colliers.
Tim," said a seedy Individual to the
barkeeper, 'guess Ike Marblehead's
made an Improbable investment this
time.n Ht .sE Is sl84;.as..g
What in ?" asked the busy dispenser
of cocuIus tndicus, ,tobacco-juice, and
In woman," returned his custo-
mer. se s}~s .tBEs@
The company pricked up their ears,
and the seedy chap, assuming an air of
great imps srtance, took up a position be-
fore the empty stove, elevated his coat
tails, and proceeded to unbosom him.
self.
: In woman," he repeated. ''She
amt woman neither-I m kinder
wrong thar-she's a gal, and-thun-
der!-ain't she bootiful?''
"Who is she?" anxiously inquired
all. z.as.}5aa- !.as =. f la8iIs-@
"I'm in the dark about that thar.
Oceans of kerosene, and miles of wick |
amt no use to throw light on that thar
subject" ue go. ..t 81. s,sa II Il
A girl about IT, or so, had become
an inmate Of Ike Marblehead's house,
and who she was, and what relation
ship existed between her and the hard
old man, became questions of consider |
able moment. She was very good |
loaking, and gentleness and truth, like |
diamonds IN a gold setting, made her
beauty doubly attractive.
There was a straight -limbed young |
fellow in Pittsburg, Ralph by name, who /
never saw her without feeling strong |
desire to do her some romantic service /
save, her life, for instance, at the risk |
OF MS own-so that he might inspire her /
bosom to feel friendship for him. Ralph |
was poor at that time, but Industrious
ana honest, promising fairly enough to |,
hve life as profitable to others as to |
himself, and as handsome an American
as you'll meet with from Maine to Tex
as. He was in old Marblehead's store |
anu many attempts were made to pump
an MS knowledge of that mysterious I
household out of him, but he was wisely !
siient, and kept his tongue behind his
"nite. even teeth. Whenever Ike's, pri- i
Vate affairs were broanhed. -s - y
Old Marhlehead nrofosroa 70 Ia s...a.. |