River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1883-08-30

erty for sale and though people were
named to see him leaving them, yet they
gladly bid for his valuable estate.
When all his business had been set
tied. and the balance sheet brought to
him by his private secretary for inspec-
ton, he was truly surprised. At first
he could not believe it. He had known
that his property was extensive and val
uahle: and he had known also that his
bank account was large, seeing that lie
owned the bulk of the bank
himself; but when he looked at the
foot of the column of totals, and saw the
sum total of ali--saW it running away in
to the mililons-when he was assured
that he read Alright. and that the figures
did not lie, he was astonished.
Government bonls had then come in
to the market, and had already reached
a premium. His first movement on
reaching San Francisco. was to lock
three million dollars safely up in regis
tered bonds. The money was deposited
with the sub-treasurer there, with or
ders that the bonds should be sent to
his address at New York. After paying
for the bonds he had left between one
and two hundred thousand dollars in
gold, of which he reserved sufficient 10
pay his expenses on the road, placing
the rest in banks, and taking draft on
New York, in exchange, which draft for
security's sake, he gave into the hands
of reliable express company. And 1t
was we'll he did 50, for between the
Great Salt Lake and Cheyenne, his peck
cts lwere. picked of every dollar he had
with him.
Arriving in New York, Robert first
looked after his bonds and his draft.
The bonds were safe and awaiting his
call, while the draft arrived on the every
day of his own arrival, having come on
the same train.
And now for his visit to Belmont. If
he could not find a loving heart there,
then he knew notswhere to look. But
If he was to find true love it must not be
known that he was wealthy. No, the
love bis heart yearned for was a pure,
loyal love for poor Bobby AshwoIth,
Just as he was when he set forth to seek
his fortune So he went 20 clothing
store where second hand garments were
sold. and purchased a full suit as sadly
worn and faded as he could feel comfort
able III, clad in which he set forth on
bis trial trip.
Arrive at Belmont and the steam
cars took him to the very center of the
town-he found the place wonderfully
grown. Where he had left green fields
and tangled hedges, were pow broad
streets. fanked with stores and dwell
ings. In short. the place had grown to
full six times it's size five-and- thirty
years before, At the smallest and poor
est public house he stopped and ordered
supper; and, while 1t was being pre-
pared, he asked after the Speeds. Did
any one present know them? Yes, a
man was sitting there, in the barroom,
who had formerly worked for them.
said he:
"Well, stranger, it would be very diff
ficult to tell you Just how they stand If
you co I'D take 'em for what they think
of themselves, they'd be two ofthe big
gest men in creation. That's Ma than and
Thomas. About a score of years ago they
got to playin' the big-bug entirely. They
let out the mills, and went to livin' on
the interest of their money; and it's my
opinion at they've come to dippin' pref
tv deep into their principal. Howso n
ever they're proud enough"
"And Peter Sleed-what has become
Of hm2"
20. he is here-the same poor, hard
workin' uncomfort' man he always
was He did one spell, drink lettle too
much; but he finally married woman
that made saved man of him."
But didn't his father leave MIN any
thing?"
"Not outright. The old man, somehow,
cot set against the boy-thought.he was
wild and frolcsome, and unsafe to be
trusted with money; so he left him in
the care of his two older brothers"
well" pursued Robert, "and what
Inx,o tIaI- fnpa for hi,O9f'
Really, stranger, don't like to say
ANYTHING against them two men; but if
the truth was told think it would come
ont at they meant, from the first, to
have the whole property in their own
hands. For time they refused to let
the noor fellow have money on the
niea that he would drink it all up; and
then. when he fell in love With Kitty
Moore, they told him ii he married her
they would cast him off forever. You
see, Kitty, bless her sweet face! aye and
Mess her noble heart, too? Kitty was
moor girl-an orphan-Workin' in one of
the mills; and the big-feelin' men
thought it would be a stain on them if
their brother should marry her, How
sumever, Peter took his own way. HE
married the dear girl, and he's the
father of FIVE as pretty children as you
ever set eyes on, and as happy as can
be. notwithstanding he has to dig
pretty hard to keep the wolf from the
door"
1t was Just in the edge of the evening
"a chill autmnal evening-that the
dOor-bell was rung at the aristocratic
residence of the Hon. Nathan Speed,
and shortly afterwards servant an
nouuced that a man wished to speak
with the master.
Nathan Speed had grown to be mar
of four-and-fifty, redfaced and obese,
dressed in a satin house-robe; pride
stamped in every feature. His wife sit
ting near by, was the same. Her face
betrayed the use of the wine cup, while
the sparkle of many diamonds told
where much of her husbands money
had gone.
What sight for the proud man to
meet in his own front nalli A stout
broad shoudered man; brown-visaged
and full bearded: habited in a poverty
strickened garb. and evidently very
poor.
'.Nathau! don't you know me? your
cousin Robert2 All, I'ge had hard luck
on the road Beyond Cheyenne | was
robbed Of every dollar / had with me,
and
Hold on" The proud man raised his
hand. He wanted to hear no more. He
knew of no claims which his cousin could
have on him. And further: "You prom
lsed your uncle you would never again
apply for help"
"IIave | asked for help?"
NO, but it was coming"
No, Nathan; yon mistake. only
ask friend"
Then you'd better 70 and hunt up
your cousin Peter. He would make a
boon companion for you, | doubt no"
Robert got away as quick as possible,
resolved next to call upon his cousin
Thomas.
lie found Thomas AT home, and clear
~ under the influence of wine-not in
toxicated, but his blood unduly heated
thereby. And Thomas was even more
harsh and unkind than Nathan had
been and he, too, tauntingly advised
the poor wanderer to go and seek has
cousin Peter, as one who would be fit
ting companion for him.
And to Peter Speeds poor cottage
Robert made his way. And not even 81
poor roof 10 cover his head had the
Wealthy brothers given to their half
brother. The cottage, really belonging
to Nathan, was hired of an agent; and
more than once the poor man had come
very near being turned out for non-pay-
ment OF rent.
"Whatr' cried Peter. when the way
farer had made himself known. is 1t
BODY? Don't deceive me. Come in
where it is light" And he led the new