Sacramento daily record-union., 1882-12-23
"Iam thinking Of myself" he said, coolly. "not

al am thinking Of myself" he said, coolly, "not
Of you"
at is right that man should think Of himself"
said did not intend to vex myself about him
more than could help; it is hurtful to man to be
forever angry about thing he cannot alter for the
better: and was beginning to take another view
concerning Nicolas; to study him as one would
study strange animal which chance throws in his
path. " beg your pardon, Nicolas Brand, for in-
Producing myself into this matter, but / really
thought | had something to do with it, And
turned from him though our conve sation WIS al
| an end.
"Do you refuse to listen to met" he asked
| "Not at all, Nicolas Brand, not at all repied
s's Say what you have to say am all attention
al have served you faithfully, Master Fink.
"We will not speak of that. What is past is
pass'
| "As apo,entics and workman have lsbored for
| you for more than ten years.
"I am rcioicei,"I said, glancing at the total of
bis account, +" that you have such head for figures
Yes It is more than ten years since you first entered
my house" And there rose before me the vision Of
his mother, my Old sweetheart, as she appeared to
| me ten years ago. to beg me to take her son and
make an upright man of him. heard again the
| words she used to give weight to her appeal-how
brave he was, how truthful, bright, intelligent, and
how, If searched the whole world through, Ishould
not find another lad easy to teach and mold Con-
scientiously had endeavored to do my duty by him.
to guide him in the straight path, to make him
truthful, and honest, and brave AS well might |
have striyen to change the nature of fox, and to
bea RI nj
not allow myself to be easily dscouraged-for years
stroye and stroye, and met invariably, for my re-
ward, treachery lies, deceit and trickery Sadly did
at length confess that his mothers cherished
dreams of his future could never be realizel, and
that she would awake day to the bitter reality
Master Fink" said Nicolas, "the ten years
have worked for you have been as good as wasted
stand here to-day without form, and although I
am man l am compelled to do without many things
which | desire to possess"
at is common calamity" l replied "ail men
suffer from it. We are commanded not to coyet
whist belongs to our neighbor"
"a We sent into the world, said Nicolas gloom
ily, "to enjoy what there is III the world-one man
as well as another"
All, sh," thought J. "Nicolas Brand is a Social
ist :" and said aloud "Yes, to enjoy what belongs
t. us, wa: ourselves have worked for and
earned, not what belongs to Others. Proceed and
leave politics out Of the question"
"supposs wanted to settle in life-tEat would
be a natural desire, would it not?"
"Surely, surely" said, aud fixed my eyes upon
his crafty face. "Then all is arranged between you
and Katrine Loebee''
"What do YOU know about herr he cried.
: What do You mix up our names for?'
The rascal l could have knocked his head
against the wal
'Be CAREFUL Nicolas DC careful" said, half
warningy, hail threatenipgly. 'More is known
about you and Katrine than you seem TO be aware
Of. Do yor think people are blind?
He bit his lips. "What there is between me and
Katrine is business, and concerns no one but
ourselves"
You are in error, Nicolas. Katrine was born in
this town, aud she is an orphan. She is looked
upon with eyes of affection by many, and could
name worthy fathers and mothers who would re-
GIVE her as child OF their See that you deal
honestly by her. You did not finish what you were
saying. Suppose you wanted to settle in life"
:" should not be able to DO SO, not being in fair
position. If set up for myself as a matchmaker in
this place, either YOU would haze to put up the
shutters. There is not room enough for two"
"The worId is wide, Nicolas"
But il wish to stop here?'
"stop here, in heavens name whol prevents
your
81 did not expect you would mock me, Master
Fink and from biting his lips he took 70 biting his
nails. I" have proposition to make you. You
cannot desire to take advantage OF mans misfor.
tunes, nor to deal uniusty by one who has lived
with you so long. Give a regular engage rent
with you at fair wage" and he named sum which
I should consider too high for the best workman in
the land 81 will work for you for two more years
at that rate and at the end of these two years you
shall admit me as partner in your business You
have no son to take care OF you in your old age.
win be your son; l will take care OF you in your
old age. Then all will be well with U.S."
"Ah, ah, thought, I" the murder is out. Now
will see how far he will 60"
:" In pl-in words, Nicolas" said, "you propose
to adopt me as your father. How can l thank you
for your generous wish? OF cour-e it would have
TO be a settled agreement between u.s."
" OF course" he replied eagerly.
&c II would have to be drawn up in legal form
and properly signed, so that | could rot escape
from it, IN case all should not be well tetween u.s."
And SO that could not escape from it either;
you must n forget that"
No, viii not forget it." And remained silent
for little while with my head resting on my hand,
but without looking up that his eyes never left
my face. 1.-THE villain !" thought. "He wants
to get il his tolls, and he thiaks, because do
not quickly reject his proposition, that the
ok is alrlaly in my gil's. l will remain
silent just long enough to max, BE-
lieve he has me safe. fine idea truly, to take this
Idle, envous feilow-this gambler, who plays cards
with the devil in the middle of the night; this
friend OF Pretz /, the miser with the evil eye, who
lid plan to ruin me; this secret .wooer OF limo.
cenee who has not the manliness to declare his in
t.ntions-a fine idea to take him as my partner
IN three years from l should find myself pen.
piless and without roof, for know-o, yes, well
do know-what would become OF my business and
stock. fit were not for his mother, whom once
loved, would bid him pack off, without another
word. | am to allow him to adopt me as
his father, I? / am to put myself
into his charge just as if / were lunstic
who needed keeper? A lunatc, indeed, should
prove myself to be by so doing. Where did this
fellow get his assurance from? He must think that
mankind was made for him to prey upon. Do not
now put up with his bunders and bad workman
ship-and with something verse that have never
given utterauce to? Because / am silent on this
matter, he does not suspect that know him to be
thief and that could serd him to prison for what
he has done. But for his mothers sake spare him.
viii not bring shame and disgrace upon the gray
hairs of a woman who when young, brought
into my l:fe its most beautiful dreams, and who
made the mistake of preferring rascal to me- She
has suffered enough, and my hand shall not be
raised against her. All you gambler and schemer,
Nicolas Brand, could find it in my heart to strike
you where you stand !"
Thus l thought and unused, while Nicolas stood
before me, reckoning up the chickens had hatched,
and calculating how many gold pieces they would
sell for
Nicolas Brand" said in as soft tone as
coud command, "ycur proposal proceeds from a
heart beating with consideration for your old mas
ter 1t displays your nature in beautiful light; it
shows an appreciation OF my poor endeavors to
make you skilled workman, for which, humbly
confess it, did not give you credit. But have you
fully considered the sacrifice you are making in my