The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1882-04-30
CHRISTOPHER CHERUB.

CHRISTOPHER CHERUB.
II Raphael had depicted his little fellows
on canvas with bald heads and minus wings, You
would have faithful likeness of Christopher Chcrub,
bachelor, aged hfty aud confidential clerk and book
keeper FOR the great house OF Whosom, Fulsom Co.,
India merchants.
For thirty years MIR. Cherub had been in the SER
vice OF Whosom, Fulsom & Co., and during that
time his books had always balanced. a very quiet,
unassuming man was Mr.. Chorub, and, witha, n
Christian In the broadcast sense, The children who
played about the wharves where lay the big ships OF
WHOLESOME, Fusom & Co. were very fond of him, and
felt that Mr.. Chorub was friend. Tho many PEN
niles that he bestowed among the urchins had the eff
iect OF Inspiring their minds with the idea that 1t was
he probably, who owned all the big ships and store
houses; but they never questioned him upon that
subject, he never had the opportunity Of dlspellng
Why was MIR. Cherub a bachelor2 The question
could be answered by silent answer II the person
who asked would observe that gentleman once In
twenty four hours take from his desk locket and
gaze upon the features of beautiful girl, press the
lOcket to his Hips, and then replace 1t.
Of course she was dead, or MIR. Cherub would not
have been bachelor. She was his FIRST last,and only
love- aud during all the lresome years of his solving
veNatlOus columns the beautiful eyes seemed to look
over his shoulder and guide his hand as well as his
heart.
Sometimes he would unclasp the back of the locket
and take theretrom tress OF golden hair; this he
would hold carefully his finger and as the sun
rays came through tho little window above his desk,
throwing their Hight on the tress OF hair Mr.. Chenb
would drop tear, and say, almost inaudiby, al
lie, my poor Allie.N
What a comfort this was to him he himself only
knew.
Twenty years previous he placed his betrothed In
her last resting place, and in having the little burial
lot laid out he had reserved lust room enough for
ono more grave. ''This is for me, ~ he would re-
peat to himself, he stood every Sunday afternoon
by the sideof Allies grave; &c this Is for no"'
The house of wholsom, Fusom K Co. had more
confidence in their confidential clerk than they had
I'm lnN
been like the play of ' Hamlet, with Hamlet left
out. Time and again they offered to double his sal
airy aud also take him Into the frn. but he only
piled that he was satisfied, as he had enough. Any
question difficult In solving Immediately referred
ny the house to Christopher: 90 Ask MIR. Cherub; ho
faithful servant that 1t almost bordered upon vonera-
ton.
The Unitarian Church on Federal street, of which
he was member, always found him In his seat at
morning seryce eager TO listen to the words of ILL
splration from Or. Chauning; and, after servi &c,
when he gathered his class around hi In the sunday
school, and taught the little the path OF duty TO
God and man, ho felt happier, and willing to live
Others
The world at large knew little or nothing of thris-
topher's benevolent deeds, nor did he care that 1t
should Hut the tonsof coal and barrels OF flour which
found their way In places sorely needing them were
each and all checked down to him by the hand which
never makes an error.
Mrs. Timpklin, with whom Mr. Cherub lodged and
had lodged for eighteen years, thought that he was
the persondcatlono of goodness; and when Mrs limp
|
she had merely to mention the matter to Christopher
and the landlord was Immediately hushed into state
oil qulescence and satisfaction Mrs. Timpklns other
odgerS were well cared for by that estimable woman
but none of them were well looked after as Mr..
Cherub The servants took Of the other ogders
rooms, Dat Mrs. Timpklin took sole charge of Mr.
Chefub's apartment, and not speck OF dust or n
cob.web could I've found In 1t from end the year
to the other
Now great many landladies especially widows
would have had tender feeling for such man as Mr.
Cherub; but Mrs Timpklin a sensible woman, If
"A ghn ,It., q
her respectable lodgers life, and she said to herself
EVENT. any demonstrations my part were offered
they would not he reciprocated and BESIDES 1t might
possibly change his opinion of me; so Will let well
enough alone and rest contented In the fact that we
can at least always be fricnds.''
So YOU Mrs. Timpklin was sensible woman and
did not show by word action that she was anything
more than friend and she careful in this re-
spect that Christopher had the slightest suspicion
OF anything ike yearning nature the part of Mrs
Tlmpklin.
Theremanng odgersin Mrs. Timpklin shumblebut
very respectable domcie great admirers of Mr.
Cherub. They knew and felt that he was an honora-
BILE man, one who loved his nelghbor as himself;
therefore, II was impossible for them to do otherwise
than respect him.. And If Mrs. Timpkln put mp his
little lunch for him. which he carried to his Office,
they never said 1t was for the sake of economy, fol
| many OF them knew that he gave away more than
would buy fifty such lunches every week. lie used
to enjoy so much he would say taking his little bite
all alone, with clean white napkin spread out over
his big ledger. Force of habit is strong Mrs limp
Kiln and keep clear of dyspepsia by not eating hot
hot dinners: even the steam from the hot soup first
course, on Sunday, used to create wonderful change
| on his Cherubc conference.-the 1t was only
week. and he did not complain, for IL he had Mrs.
TmpkIin would have consigned the soup-t ureen and
| contents to the back yard.
Christopher, not having any extravaganza habits
beyond his charitable Deeds had, In the course OF
| thirty years. saved up handsome amount of money,
which was continually drawing handsome interest.
10 tell the truth, he could, II necessary draw his
check for a sum that would stagger most ordinary
bookkeepers Even his employers, the great house OF
WhGlsom, Fulsom Go. were not aware OF how
i limo IN
him, nor he to them. In fact money was hardly ever
mentioned In any of their forms of business the word
| draft was the term with Wholsom, Fulsom &
CO.; money was dross, vugar draft was arlsocratic
| and dig nihed.
Wen, the house OF wholsom, Fulsom Co.
| hourished. Christopher Cherub on his thirtiet
year of service; entreaty the part OF the firm
could make him accept larger salary, induce hin
| pher.
In August the junior member of the firm, Mr.
Richard Fulsom was making preparations to vis
| Liverpool on an important mission connected will
the house, but suddenly and unexpectedly he wal
taken Ill ana the senior members were In quandary
After consultation held In their private Office 4
| was decided to send Mr.. Cherub to take charge o.
the business previously intrusted to the junior mem
ber
| Christopher did not demur: he never demurred
But 1t was hard for him TO leave his quiet retreat t.
from his favorite DESK and, more than ALL to loav
uncared for the litte spot SO dear 10 him. What /
he should never return ana his greatest desire lef
l
| How the thought weighed upon him lie hat
never been away. and the world outside his llttl,
| sphere seemed already strange to him.
In less than .forty-elgh hours Christopher Cherul
appeared twenty years older. Ills hands trembed n
he packed his trunk. and he forgot to bestow his pen
ny-onerings upon the children about the wharf. Iii
| step, only short time before brisk, now faered
| Mrs. Timpklin noticed 1t, and was very much wor
red thereby, but Christopher put on rs cheerful
manner as was possible, and merely said lie was Onl
little tired.
only little tired? The truth was the sudden anx
atallp had a.Inh l,,,,,
| tired. And ere two weeks had elapsed of the thre
set for his departure the house of Whosom, Fulson
oT mere constantly seoding messengers TO- Mrs
how their confidential clerk was progressing.
the many needy families who We're accustomed +
his frequent visits wondered what had become o
THEIR Deneiactor. They missed his kindly greeting
for II had hardly ever occurred TO them that he wou
not DO with them always.
One day, after being confined to his room for tire,
weeks, he told Mrs. Timpkln that he felt little bet
ter and he should try and SEQ II visit to the onlc
he wended his way TO the wharf. The groups OF chill
dIen ceased their noisy play, and silently watches
nm rs lie paused NJ the FOOT OF tho stairway befor
going up. lie glanced around and scanned the ship
lying at the wharf, drew heavy sigh, and pro
ceeded up the stairs.
Alas. poor Christopher little did Mrs. TImpkll
imagine that you would never come back to your littl
room which she was arranging 80 tdiy during you
absence.
As MIR. Cherub reached the landing on tae noo
where his Office located he stood face to face Wit
simon the porter Good Lord, Mr.. Cherub hoy
pale You look, ~ said that astOnlshed individual
"Why you ought not to have come out, and you S
bad. -
Mr. Cherub only replied 10y saying, - Simon, pleas
help me into the Of1ce.',
simon placed his strong arm around Mr. Cherul
and almost carried him to the room In which Christie
pher had 81 many years done faithful duty. smO
assisted him to his perch on the high stool aud MI
Cherub, with trembling hands, turned the leaves o
his ledger. Strange figures and strange writin
were on its pages. lie closed the book almost me
chancaly dropped his head on his hands for minute
then raising II slightly, said "slmOn, viii you as
| Mr.. WholsOm TO come upY''
| AT once, sir at once, ~ replied Tho porter VIII