Weekly Trinity journal., 1878-07-13
GROMLEY'S ADVENTURE.

world. He had fine fortune, magni.
fcent dwelling, and a plump good natur-
ed wife. Moreover he had reputation
for sanctity and uprightness, and was an
elder of the church to which he belonged.
A very good man and thorough Chris
tian, old Hiram cons dered, for he had
family prayers every morning, went to
church every Sunday, and allowed the
cook to give all the uneatable scraps of
bread which remained in the larder to
any beggar who applied for them. A ju
dicious parent he believed himself to be,
and just one, for when his only daugh-
ter married against his will he had cast
her off forever, and refused TO see her
when she stood, weak and trembling, at
his door to tell him that her husband lay
on the verge of death and that starvation
stared them in the face.
"As she has sowed so she must reap"
| he muttered, as he saw her turn away,
hiding her grieved face in her shabby
/ bonnet. "She might have had old
Grimes, and lived in clover, but she has
made her own choice, and must abide by
it," And so saying he went back to his
account books and banished his daughter
from his mind as soon as might be.
Old Hiram Gromley was, as l have
said, very wealthy, yet he clung to trade
with the greatest pertinacity. Money
getting was his life, and he was never so
happy as when making bargain.-
Among other things he had specuated In
flour, and had made more perhaps in that
line OF business than in any other. How
old Hiram and his b, others in the trade
chuckled as the poor mans loaf decreas-
cd and the store in their Golfers augment
ed, is best known to themselves.
1t was at such a season that Hiram
Gromlsy sat before his parlor fire, 5ask-
ing in the blaze and sinking gently into
an afternoon nap. His portly form filled
the huge velvet chair, and his own port
RAFT looked from its gilded frame upon its
drowsy original with a bland dignity en-
tirely of the artists own invention. Mrs.
Gromley had gone out to dine, and tho
carriage was to be sent for her, so that
the old man and his portrait were alone
in the comfortable room.
They were alone, at least for many
minutes. But as the sivery toned time
piece rung out the hour of seven, the out
er door was opened, and small man
clad in IL faded green velveteen coat, en-
tered the room with stealthy tread of a
cat. He was a queer looking individual,
so withered and wrinkled that il resem-
bled some old goblin, and his white hair
stood out strangely enough upon either
side of his brown forehead. Upon his
meager lower limbs he wore great, mud
stained boots, world too wide for him,
and in his hand he carried cap of the
same color and material as his coat. lie
looked first at old Hiram, then Mt his port,
rait then back again to the original, and
finally stepped forward and touched him
on the shoulder.
Hiram Gromley awoke with a start,
and springing to his feet regarded him
with astonishment.
Who are you, and what do you want
here ?" he asked in manner sufficiently
imperative.
Who | am is matter Of no import
ance," replied the stranger " but am
here on business. l believe you are buy
ing up aour7"
81 am, ;" replied old Hiram, becoming
interested and gracious in a moment.
He pointed to a chair, and the visitor
seated himself Immediately, crossing his
muddy boots, and folding his elfn arms
upon his bosom, as he bent down his
head and peered from under his dropping
black brows straight into Hiram Grom-
ley's face.
4" We have -four to SELL" he said.
: We ?" said Hiram interrogatvely.
81 and my partner, or more politely
speaking, my partner and l." responded
the little man.
"Oh, said Hiram; "may I ask the
name of the firm ?"
we come to terms, replied the little man
s. But let me tell you, Mr.. Grornley, such
chance has never been offered to one
man before. If you accept 1t bread will
run Up this year to such price that 9
loaf of the better sort will be worth its
weight in gold and rich men will give
A great sums for what they now esteem as
=. nothing. How many barrels do yol
+, think we have on hand-my partner and
II"
How many ?" asked old Hiram
D trembling with excitement.
} The little man bent forward and whis-
pered something in his ear which made
5 him start to his feet once more.
t $50 many I" he cried. " Why, the
very Spectators themselves will be at my
feet. | shall be the richest man in the
f. world. I'll buy it all mall BE qnick
tell me where all the store is hidden y
? "In our Office" said the little man.
Q What Office would contain such guam
I titles ?" asked Hiram.
"Hush /" whispered the little man
+ "there is an underground passage and
] cellar or vault capable of containing ter
! times what it now holds. As for th'
time, you may come with me now ifyot
like all hours are the same to my part
ner and me-"
: The words were scarcely out OF BIZ
{ mouth ere Hiram Gromley had hurried
/. on his overcoat, dashed his broad brm
r med hat over his eyes and seized hi
1 gold-headed cane with nervous grasp
Lead the way" hc said, lead tn