The Penn's Grove record., 1883-08-11
An Love.

Abel Grimes was an old bachelor.
Some people called him an old cur
mudgeon, and some people called hin
an old hunks, and these titles wert
really more truthful than fiattering.
The fact is, as the world goes-and
the world goes hard enough with some
Abel Grimes was a pretty hard mar
hard and cold, selfish to the core.
cruel when his interests were at stake
apparently had no more feeling than
lamppost, no more charity than a to
bacco sign seemed eve grasping fol
everything, never yielding up anything
living only for Abel Grimes, and car
ing for nothing beyond himself.
When he was twenty Abel Grimes
went to see a young lady-a very sweet
young lady, everybody called her-ano
it was at last rumored that they vert
going to be married.
But one day, being caught out in the
rain, she allowed another young mar
to hold an umbrella over her while sht
walked home by his side.
Abel Grimes CHANGED to witness the
transaction, and became furious
storming, raving and tearing passions
to tatters.
He did more. He left Mary Albright
with a curse, and never visited hel
again.
She wept and sobbed, and IA very
disconsolate for a time, and then sne
married the kiAd young man who had
held the umbrella e her.
From that time forward nobody evel
heard Abel Grimes laugh.
In fact, it is doubtful if he could
laugh.
He drew into himself like a turtle
into his shell, and to the world ht
presented an exterior as hard as thai
shell.
He bent his whole energies to making
money. And he made it.
He owned houses and lands which ht
rented to the rich and to the poor.
But woe to the luckless wight who
came up short on pay day.
He loaned money on mortgages, bu'
he neye missed an opportunity t fore.
close.
He seemed devoid of pity, and never
showed mercy.
Into the street went a sick father OF
mother or starving children if he failed
to get his lawful due.
He was no hypocrite, however hi
was consistent with himself.
He gave nothing to churches, be
cause, as he averred, religion was {
sham.
He gave nothing to hospitals, be
cause people had no business to bt
sick.
He gave nothing to charitable so
%eieties, because the poor ought to worl
for their bread.
In short, he gave nothing TO anybody
except Abiel Grimes.
And Abel Grimes he pampered
There was nothing too good for Able
Grimes.
He bought a splendid mansion, sur
| rounded himself with luxuries, and KEEP
| servants who were no better than 81
| many slaves in his regard.
HIS sister kept house for him, being
| poor, quiet, timid, childish widow, witt
no other home, o any means to liv'
without labor.
| OF all days in the year, Abiel Grimes
hated Sundays and holidays.
WbyY
Because he could not vex people in hi
business transactions on those days, ant
because poor people were idle, and seem
| ingly happy, and he hated to see peopl
happy.
If he could have shut them all up II
| DldCh pllo dllu hcPt thVAl w WIN ehCA'
all their lives for his gain and comfort
he would have done 80.
And of all the holidays, Abel Crime
hated Christmas, and its rejoicing AM
/ festivities.
And in this state of mind, withou
ever having a days illness-going o.
prosperously in worldly gain andamass
ing riches-Abiel Crimes reached tn
age of forty-fve, bale and hearty, wit
a sharp face, iron frame, cold grey eyes
thin hair and a bald head.
Now it SO happened that n hate
Christmas night Abiel Grimes ieturne
to his elegant mansion at the hour G
eleven.
1t was showing fast and the street
were mostly deserted.
The mansion looked grim, and DARK
and cold, for there had been no rejoicin
there that day, and the servants had a
gone to bed.