The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1878-10-24
IKE MARBLEHEAUs SECRET.

II sure Will ancn0r at Loves pier.
With Its rich freight of finest gold.
IKE MARBLEHEADS SECRET.
Old Ike Marblehead, vino lived in
Pittsburg many years ago, was close
man every way, keeping his money, his
opinions and his affairs all to himself.
There was an atmosphere of mystery
surrounding him, like London fog,
and his neighbors, worthy people, were
very anxious to see through it. His
career in Pittsburg as storekeeper
had been profitable and without treproach.
but his friends, conscientiously micro
scopic as all friends are in their judg-
ment of one another, discovering no
stain cn his character, were reasonably
angry, and talked vaguely about the
cloak of religion hiding very shabby
under-garments; for Ike Marblehead,
bowed and venerable with years attended
divine service twice on Sundays with the
regularity of clockwork. Although his
lank figure, long, sharp face, and pro-
longed vowels stamped him as Yankee.
there were those who said his drawl was
affectation, that he was one of those
compulsory patriots who leave their
country for their country's good, and
thst he was son of perfidious England.
His want of communicativeness was
prolific source of aggravation. OF his
antecedents, prior to his settling in the
city of cannon and Goals, nothing was
known, and in the opinion of those
about him, some youthful error, banish-
ing him from his birthplace and rela-
tions, accounted for his silence respecting
the past. In business point of view,
ne was IA good man.. His checks were
always honored, and his orders always
filled. Without wife and without
children, Ike Marblehead seemed to
care for naught beyond money and
strict observance of the forms of relig-
ion, perhaps esteeming the latter capi-
tai investment of time. The owner of
many tenements, occupied by poor peo-
pie, he did his duty as 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 monetary engagements ought to be
putin prison.
Well, it is evident that Ike Marble
head was on no account better than he
ought -tebe. People in large cities care
litth for one another, except CONNER
<SiaHy or politically. and are much too
Sbusy 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 unfayor-
able reports and remarks about this or
that individual, warranted or other
wise, the enjoyment is considerably en-
HANGED.
One fine morning in June, Kehoe's
groggery was full of its usual frequen-
ters, loafers, local politicians, travellers
" stretching their legs" tifin-taking
business men, and grim colliers.
"Tim," said a seedy individual to the
barkeeper, guess Ike Marblehead's Is
made an Improbable investment this
time.p aAs
What in?" asked the busy dispen-
ser of cocculus indicus, tobacco-juice, and
other poisons.
In woman, returned his customer
The company pricked up their ears,
and the seedy chap, assuming an air oi
great importance, took up position be-
fore the empty stove, elevated his coat
tails, and proceeded to unbosom himself
6 In woman," he repeated. "She
amt woman neither-Pm kinder
wrong thar-she's gal, and-thunder
Amt she bootifulT'
" Who is she9" anxiously inquired
Pm in the dark about that thar
Oceans of kerosene and miles of wicl
amt no use to throw light on that thai
subject"
A girl about seventeen, or SO, had be
come an inmate of Ike Marblehead'
house, and who she was, and what re
lationship existed between her and tn,
hard old man, became questions of con
siderable moment. She was yery good
looking, and gentleness and truth. lik
diamonds in a gold setting, made he
beauty doubly attractive.
There was straight-limbed youn
fellow in Pittsburg, Ralph by name
who never saw her without feeling
strong desire to do her some romanti
service-save her life, for instance, a
the risk of his own-so that he Nigh
inspire her bosom to feel friendship fo
him. Ralph was poor at that time, bu
industrious and honest, promising fairl
enough to live life as profitable 1
others as to himseH, and as handsome a
American as you'll meet with frol
Main to Texas He was in old Marbl,
heads store and many attempts wei
made to pump all his knowledge Of ths
mysterious household out of him, bu
he was wisely silent, and kepthis tongu
behind his white, even teeth, whenevt
Ike's private affairs were broached.
Old Marblehead professed to
greatly interested in Ralph, giving hi
plenty of advice, after the fashion
men generally, who, forgetting the pr
clivities Of their own youth, would ha,
twenty-five think and act like thr
core and ten.
Before long, Alice Marblehead az
her unels's clerk came to an undesstsn
Ing. Rslph feared that his employ