Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1878-12-19
Flower Of the Daisy.
A CHRISTMAS STORY,
BY JOHN E. COOKE.

1t was Just week before Christmas,
and, rerched on his three-legged stool in
the counting room Of the great house of
Wortkington Brothers, old Joe Darling
the ancient ok-keeper of the firm, was
finishing his Saturday nights entries.
While thus engaged a hand was laid
on his shoulder, and turning his head he
saw his old grey-haired employer, the
sole survivor of the firm beside him.
1t is the last time, my old friend"
said the merchant, pointing toward the
ledger; " the news this evening decides
everything. Unless something happens
before the first of January, Worthing ton
Brothers must close doors, and wind up
business, JoeU
Old Joe started as he listened to these
melancho] y words, and tremor ran
through him.
Don't say that! don't say that, Mr..
Worthlngton, sir!' be exclaimed. And
he dabbed his bald forehead with his old
bandanna handkerchief as he spoke.
" Don't say that Worthington Brothers
will suspend payment, STRIP
"Worse than that, Joe," returned the
old merchant with a heavy sigh, II see
no hope of resuming. TAe great failures
in Europe have hopelessly involved US
SO that"-he stopped with a gloomy ex-
preston in his eyes" so that on or be-
fore the first of January" he added.
" the house will close its doors. could
bear that; but, when / think that the
name of Worthington Brothers will be-
dishonored-'
There the old merchant broke down.
Joe Darlieg seized his hand, and cried
in a trembling voice:
"Don't! don't!-don't say that, sir!
Don't use that word 'dishonor!' 1t is
not so bad!"
Ruin! ruin!-utter ruin!" groaned
the merchant.
"No, no; not ruin! See here sir. l.
l-you see have saved little"
And old Joe drew from his pocket
book, with unsteady hands certificates
of deposit in bank.
"Take it, sir! It was made in YOUR
service!-honestly made-there's not a
dirty shilling in it, sir. It is yours
and"
"No, old FRIEND" said the merchant,
signing deeply, but speaking in a voice
of resignation" no, that is not the way
Worthington Brothers do business! If
we fail, it shall be honestly-alone-
after honorable exertion. We will not
drag down our friends; and you, Joe, are
our Oldest and best. No, the house has
kept faith and honor for fifty years. If
ruin comes, we will go down alone. It
is not our fault. Twill do my duty, and
trust in God, Joe, to the end!"
As he spoke, the old merchant went
to his safe and took out a roll of bank
notes. Then he directed the various
employees to be sent for, and paid them
all up to the end of the week. he had
kind word for each, and an inquiry
about every mans family or concerns:
and then he turned to his desk. But
the men did not 20.
'"What are you waiting for, my
friends? Can assist you in any man.
ner?" asked the old merchant.
IF you please, sir" said the foremost
of the party, Eve would like to leave
our money in your hands. Eh?"
And the speaker turned toward his
rough companions. who uttered hoarse
murmur of assent.
"Leave your money in my hands7"
said the merchant.
"Jest so, SIR" was the reply. "We
hear tell how times are hard with Worth.
lngton Brothers, and the house is in diff.
cultles. Now, we don't want our money
as yet, Mr.. Worthington. Eth? Do
And he looked toward those in the
rear. Another prowl of asaont ronl;od
"Au which," the spokesman added.
goes to say, sir, that We are not in
want. Keep the money, Mr.. Worthing-
ton"
The merchant gazed, with deem emo.
ton. at the rough, honest faces p o'"o
THANKS, thanks, my kind frieudsl"
he said. II now see what it is to trv
to do our duty This proof of your
friendship touches me deeply-but l can.
not accept of your offer. Such a small
sum, besides, would be of little service
to me. No, no! keep it, and may God
bless you and yours!'' l.'
me employees retired on this, not dar
3ng' IT, seemed, to intrude further on the
head of the house. : = - 80 800 =. - '..'
Father in heaven I thank Thee, i,
murmured. the merchant and tn nn
away he picked up the evening n s4 =
hide his emotions. As his eva fei ii nrc y,
it paragraph attracted his attan+!"n
1t announced the failure of the h.r IT, =
which the old book-keepers SAYING. = - -
all been deposited. With sieh :.
handed it to Joe Darling, ssnd said !: =
~" deeply regret thie, my old friend
ny rum was enough. " E.sss.ss 5. t,..
Old Joe read this announcement
YIN q sinking heart and echoed the sigl
The Lo,d's will Be done, siri = b
sa.o; you might have had all but I an
now pennies. Your trouble il create