Sharp County record., 1878-11-14

angry, and talked vaguely about the
cloak of religion hiding very shabby un-
der-garments; for Ike Marblehead1'
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 we're those who SAID MS
drawl was affectation, that he was one
of those compulsory patriots who leave
their country for their country'S gooo'
and that he was a son OF perhdlouS
England. His want of communicative
ness was 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 opln-
ion of those about him, some
youthful error, banishing him from
his birthplace and relations, ac-
counted for his silence respecting
the past. In a business point OF view,
he was good man. His checks were
always honored, and his orders always
filed. Without a wife and without
children, Ike Marblehead seemed to care
for naught beyond money and strict
observance of the forms of religion,
perhaps esteeming the latter a 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.
Well, 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
eially 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 calumny
serves a politically profitable, or com
mercially 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.
One fire morning in June, Kehoe's
groggery was full of its usual frequent
ers, Ioafers, local politicians, travellers
"stretching their legs" tiffin-t taking bust
ness men, and grim colliers.
"Tim," said a seedy individual to the
barkeeper, "guess Ike Marblehead's
made an Improbable investment this
time"
"What inpn asked the busy dispenser
of cocuyVS indicus, tobacco-juice, and
other poisons
"In woman," returned his custo-
mer.
The company pricked up their ears,
and the seedy chap, assuming an air OF
great imp srtance, took up position be-
fore the empty stove, elevated his coat
tails, and proceeded to unbosom him.
self.
tin woman,n he repeated. "She
amt woman neither-I m kinder
wrong thar-she's gal, and-thun-
der! aim she bootiful?n
"Who is shep" anxiously inquired
all.
"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
A girl about II, 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 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 a strong
desire to do her some romantic service
save her life, for instance, at the risk
of his own-so that he might inspire her
bosom to feel friendship for him. Ralph
was poor at that time, but industrious
and honest, promising fairly enough to
live 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
| and MANY attemnts were made TO Dump
all his knowledge of that mysterious
household out of him, but he was wisely
silent, and kept his tongue behind his
white, even teeth, whenever Ike's pri-
vate affairs were broached.
Old Marblehead professed to be great
ly interested in Ralph, giving him plen-
ty of advice, after the fashion of men
generally, who, forgetting the proclivi-
ties of their own youth, would have
twenty-five think and act like three
score and ten.