The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1878-08-17
G0RMLEY'S ADVENTURE.
A STORY WITH A MORAL.

Old Hiram Gormley was an individual
whom fortune had not forgotten in her dis
tributon of the good things of this world.
He had fine fortune, a magnificent dwell
ling, and a plump, good-tempered wife.
Moreover, he had a great reputation for
sanctity and uprightness, and was an elder
of the church to which:h he belongd. Avery
good man and a thorough Christian old Hi
ram considered himself, 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 re-
maned in the ladder to any beggar who ap-
piled for them. A judicious parent he be-
leved himself to be, and just one, for
when his only daughter had married against
his will he had cast her off forever, and re-
fused to see her when she stood weak and
trembling at his door to tell him that her
husband lay upon the verge of death and
that starvation stared them in the face.
GAS she sowed so she must reap" he NUT
tered, 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 made her own choice and
must abide by it." And, so saying, he went
back to his account books and banshed his
daughter from his mind as soon as might
be.
Old Hiram Gormley was, as have said,
very wealthy, but he yet clung to trade with
the utmost pcrtnacity. Money getting was
his life, and he was never so happy as while
making bargain. Among other things he
had speculated in four,and had made more,
perhaps, in that line of business than in any
other. How old Hiram and his brothers in
the trade chuckled as the poor mans loaf
decreased and the store in their own Golfers
augmented, is best known to themselves.
1t was at such a season that Hiram CORN
ley sat before his parlor fire, basking in its
blaze and sinking gently into an after-din-
ner nap. His portly form filled the huge
velvet chair, and his own portrait looked
from its gilded frame upon its drowsy origin
al with bland dignity entirely of the
artists own invention. Mrs. Gormley had
gone out to dine, and the carriage was to be
sent for her at an appointed hour, so that
the old man and his portrait were alone to-
gcther in the comfortable room.
They were alone, at least for many min
utcs. But as the silvery-toned time piece
rung out the hour of seven, the outer door
was opened, and a small man, clad in a
faded green velveteen coat entered the room
with the soft tread of stealthy cat. He
was quecr-looking individual, so withered
and wrinkled that he might have resembled
some old goblin, and his white hair stood
out, strangely enough, upon either side Of
hisbrown forehead. Upon his mcager lower
limbs he wore great, mud-stained boots, a
world too wide for HIM, and in his hand he
carried a cap of the same color and material
as his coat lie looked first at old Hiram
then at his portrait, then back again to the
original, and finally stepped forward and
touched him on the shoulder.
Hiram Gurmley awoke with start, and
srringing to his feet, regarded him with as,
tuushment.
"Who are you, and what do you want
?" he asked, in a manner sufficiently
imperative.
"Who am is a matter ofno importance, ,
replied the strangerJ "but l am here OF
business. believe you are buying W
Hour7"
al am" replied old Hiram, becoming in
terested and gracious in moment. "Takt
a seat, sir, and let me understand your bust
ness"
lie pointed to a chair, and the visitor seat
!, cd himself Immediately, crossing his muddy
: boots, and folding his elfn arms upon hi
bosom, as he bent down his head and peerel
from under his dropping black brows straigh
into Hiram Gormley's face.
owe have -four to SELL" he said.
ave ?" said Hiram, interrogatively.
I" and my partner, or, more politely
( speaking my partner and l" responded thr
little man.
"oh," said Hiram "may ask the nam,
Of the frm2'
I'd rather not mention names until I'm
sure that we shall come to terms" replied
the little man. "But let me tell you, Mr.
Gormley, that such a cnance has never beer
!. offered TO man before, If you accept i
bread will run up this year to such pric,
that loaf Of the better sort will be wortl
its weight in gold, and rich men will Civ,
great sums for what they now esteem a
nothing. How many barrels do you thinl
, we have on hand, my partner and II"
a." How many?" asked old Hiram, tremb
ling with eageness.
The little man bent forward and whisper
> ed something in his ear which made hin
: start to his feet once more.
i +" So many! !" he cried. "Why, the yer,
! spectators themselves will be at my feet
. l shall be the richest man IN the world. III
i buy it all in-all, all When can see it
|. when can sign the contractY Be quicl
tell me where all the store is hidden ?"
- In our ofG;on aid Al, I;..y. ...,..