The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1885-05-06
THE LOST l. 0. U.

Some men seem to take naturally to
whatever promises to be unfortunate to
them, and it must have been in a blind
obedience to this law that Charles Day
insisted on regarding Jonas Terry as his
friend. There was nothing in common
between the men but love for Josie
Merritt, and such circumstance is not
usually conducive to friendly feeling.
Charles had wavy brown hair, pleas
ant face, and fine tenor voice. Jonas
kept his hair cut after some penitentiary
fashion, his features were thick and
commonplace, and ne had a short, stumpy
figure. Their mental differences were
quite as great: Charles was rapid aud
bright, Jonas slow and secretive; Charles
also was affectionate and prodigal, Jonas
saving and prudent, and inclined to
make merit of always looking out for
himself. Both were young men of some
fortune and position, but Jonas alone
was in-business. Charles lived upon the
rents of his property and devoted his
time to the ladies in general, and to
Josie Merritt in particular
One evening in June they sat together
in the library of Charles fine house.
They had been discussing some summer
plans, and Charles said,
Leave off griuding at that money
mill of yours, Jonas, and come with me :;
we shall have apleasant months cruise. 4"
81 cannot possibly do it. To tell the
truth, l am in very tight place, and it
is bad time for raising money!"
Chow much do you want2"
"About twelve thousand"
"Will ten thousand dop
eyes; ten would put me out of straits.
In fact, ten thousand now might be
worth fifty thousand to me-"
Charles walked to his secretary, and
unlocking it, counted out the amount in
bills, and handed them to his friend,
saying;
Just give me your I. o. T., Jonas,
for two months after date. Will that be
long enoughl"
"You don't mean this, Charlesl"
"Why, yes, do old fellow. 1t is
not much of a kindness, after all. You
see, Merritt paid me my quarters rents
to-day, and | shall be sure to spend all
before the quarter is over if / keep the
money where can get at it. In two
months shall be out of funds, and in
the height of the season. 1t is plan
of mine to secure ten thousand for a
clearing up in September"
"Tbank you, Charles. | will accept
the loan with pleasure, and if you should
need it before, why, just drop me line.
| shall be out of trouble long before Sep
tember.n
The young man then drew pen and
some paper toward him, wrote out the |.
o. L., and handed it to his friend, OBJ
serving, as he did so, "Allow me to say,
Charles, that It is foolish to keep so
much money here. Put it with your
banker"
~'Certainly. Merritt paid me
this afternoon. It was so hot
when he left thought would not
90 downtown until the morning. There
IS no danger. Nobody but you and
Merritt and myself knows anything
about il"
Then he lifted the /. o. T., glanced
at it, and rose to put it in his secretary +;
but as he was crossing the room Jonas
said, Il heard to-day that Josie Merritt
is TO marry Lieutenant Price.
In an instant the eyoung mans thoughts
Here diverted from his money affairs
. He was much excited at the informa-
tion, refused to believe it, and went over
and over, with a passionate earnestness,
his reasons for being certain that such a
thing could not be.
''Why," he kept repeating, II have
known her ever ance she was little bit
df girl / carried her books to school
Invent with her to the dancing class