The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-02-28

two boys were thus left orphans, when
mere infants; but the third brother
who had got married, took them and
provided them with homes, and fur
nished money enough to support them
until they were able to work. This lat
ter brother was thsis Uncle John.
No wonder, then. that Laman was be-
side himself with JOY, for he knew that
the old gentleman was worth half mil
lion, at least, and of course he should
come in for good round sum.
Evening came, and William went
to Lamar's office to Join him there.
The latter was dressed very scrupu
lously, and he had taken the precaution,
too, TO remove most of his jeWelry from
his person, for he remembered that his
tificle was not fond of such things upon
young men. About eight o'clock the
two COUSINS reached the superb hotel,
and requested the clerk to inform Mr..
John Goldridge that visitors wished to
see him. Shortly afterward servant
requested them to follow him. Laman
felt like leaping up two or three steps at
once, and upon his thoughts rested, not
particularly the kind face of his uncle.
but the faces Of bank-notes of large de-
nominations.
William entered the room first, for he
had been there before. 1t was private
parlor, and sumptuously furnished.
"Uncle John, here is Laman," cried
William, as he entered the parlor.
"My dear Uncle john" exclaimed
Lamar, Fastening forward into the daz-
zling glare of the gas-burners, and ex-
tending his hand, I am SO glad TO-
He did not finish his sentence. He
had fully recognized the features Of his
uncle, and he started back and turned
pale. He saw before him the same old
man whose watch he had so wickedly
defrauded him of.
care you Laman Goldridge" sternly
asked the old gentleman.
"Why, certainly it is, Uncle John,
said William, when he saw that his
cousin did not answer.
Uncle John looked the culprit full il
the face for moment, and then said:
"Well, Lamar, after what has hap
pened, l can't certainly feel very happy
in your company, SO you won't need mt
for companion, and as you seem to bt
in fair way to heap up money enough
in your Golfers, you can't be much il
need of my friendship. I may see yot
again, when the memory of the wrons
1 have suffered shall have become
blnnted, but l like not your presence
now."
The young broker spoke not word
but like a whipped dog he left th'
room, and when he was gone, Uncl,
John explained to William all that hap
pened.
Laman Goldridge went back to hi
Office an unhappy, miserable man, fo
his villainy had now struck upon a sur
face where it could rebound back urol
himself in shame and disgrace.
| Not long afterward Uncle John re
moved to Southern city, and William
accompanied him, but before they went
William called to see his cousin.
Come" said he to Lamar, COM
and see Uncle John, and confess you
error, and promise to do so no more, ant
he will forgive you freely"
"No, SIR" said the broker. "You,
suppose, are his favorite now, and yol
may remain so; but bow to no man.
So William went away, and Lamar
remained in his office; but he was neve
happy-fully happy again. The mem
ory of that one scene stuck to him, bot
sleeping and waking, and he could no
shake it of. He laid up some money, i
is true. but it did him no real good an.
could men have seen his soul, and rea,
all its feelings, they would have foun'
there the solemn assurance in Hvin
truth, that wealth without honor ca
never make happy man.