The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1878-12-26

~ WSt~ - -
Take it, sir! 1t was made in your ser
vice! honestly made-there's not dirt,
shilling in it, sir 1t is yours, and"
He thrust the paper into the merchant
hand. But Mr.. Worthington pushe,
them back.
mo, old friend" said the merchant
signing deeply, but speaking in voice o
resignation-''no,t that is not the wa,
Worthington Brothers do business. /
we fail, it shall be honestly-alone-afte
honorable exertion. We will not dras
down our friends, and you Joe, our oldes
and best. No, the house has kept faitl
and honor for fifty years. If ruin come
we will go down alone. 1t is not our fault
| will do my duty and trust in God, Joe
to the end
As he spoke the old merchant went IL
the safe and took out roll of bank notes
Then he directed the various employ es to bt
sent for, and paid them all up to the end Of
the then present week. He had a kind word
for each, and an inquiry about every man.
family or concerns; and then he turned tG
his desk. But the men did not go.
"What are you waiting for, my friends
Can ! assist you in any manner?" asked
the old merchant.
IF you please, sir" said the foremost
Of the party, I'VE would like to leave our
money in your hands. En-"
And the speaker turned toward his COM
panions, who uttered hoarse murmur OF
assent.
Leave your money in my hands?" said
the merchant.
"Just so, SIR" was the reply. 1--WE
heard tell how times are hard with the
Worthington Brothers, and the house in
Now, we don't want our
meney as yet, Mr.. Worthington. Ehf
Do you?"
And he looked toward those in the rear.
growl of assent replied.
''All which, the spokesman added,
"goes to show, sir, that We are not in
want. Keep the money, Mr.. Worthing
ton"
The merchant gazed with deem emotion
at the rough, honest faces.
Thanks. thanks, my kind friends" he
SAID. This proof of your friendship
touches me deeply, but | cannot accept
your offer. Such q small sum, besides,
would be Of little service. No, no-keep
The employees retired on this, not dar-
ing, it seemed, to intrude further on the
head of the house.
Father in Heaven, | thank Thee"
the merchant, and turning
away, he picked up the evening paper to
hide his emotions. As his eyes fell upon
it paragraph attracted his attention. 1t
the failure of the bank in
which the savings of his old book-keeper
had been deposited.
With sigh he handed it to Joe Darl-
ing and said:
81 deeply regret this, my old friend.
My ruin was enough"
Old Joe read the announcement with a
sinking heart, and echoed the sigh of his
Did friend.
1.-The Lords will be done sir," he said;
you ought to have all, but am now pen
niless. Your trouble is greater than
mine. Any letters. sir, by to-night's
mail? Any resources or important intell-
yence?"
mo resources, Joe. and bad news-al-
most worse than all. "
"Worse, sir?"
"1es, yes. You remember my son
Jharley-of course you remember him.
You know he went about two wears since
o live with Van Zandt a. Co., at Ant.
yerp?'
"Yes sir: what of HIM? Don't tell me
he is not dead"
mo; that pang is spared me, but /
lave had very bad news of Charley, INV
Id friend. wrote recently, announcing
,ur situation, and recommending his re-
Urn, and Messrs. Van Zandt a. Co. renlieJ
hat he had left them nearly a wear AGO"
Left them?'
"Yes, YES. He had fallen into evil
curses and they reprimanded bim-when
Re went off. no one knew whittier LET
ers were written to me by the house. but
hey must lave miscarr,ed. Moth nr has
ince been heard of Charley. | fear he
las taken 10 more evil ways still. He NAV
e dead indeed. Unhappys that FAM
III connected with me seem to turn ont
adly,"
The merchant uttered A crroan Old
oe looked at HIM with deep commisera-
ION
IL am more fortunate than Won are. Mr.
Vorthinpton. he said IN a low tome. 81
ad a soma r,ble boy-he Is dead. s,ri
-ou knew INV Edmund3 He was so hand.
ONE so spirited. so bold. and he was lost
I sea! He was whaler-tbe SHIN floun-
cred, and the crew were lost. Nv moor
We are truly unfortunate
,thers. sir,"
There the conversation ended. and the
,erchant and bookkeeper separated-
Through the following week untiring
Iforts Were made to collect the resources