Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-08-06
THE LOST OBLIGATION.

Some men seem to take naturally to
whatever promises to be unfortunate
to tnen, and il must have been in a
blind obedience to this law that Char
les Day insisted on regarding Jonas
Terry as his friend. There was noth~
ing in common between the men but
q love for Josie Merritt, and such a
circumstance is not usually condu-
Give to friendly feeling.
Charles had wavy brown hair, o
pleasant face and fine tenor voice
Jonas kept his hair cut after some
penitentiary fashion, his features were
thick and commonplace, and he had
a short, stumpy figure. Their mental
differences were quite as great. Char
les was rapid and bright, Jonas slow
and secretive; Charles also was afs
fectionate and prodigal, Jonas saving
and prudent, and inclined to make a
merit OF always looking out for him
self. Both were young men Of some
fortune and position, but Jonas alone
was ia 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 to-
gether IN the library Of Charles fine
house. They had been discussing
some summer plans, and Charles said !:
'Leave off grinding at that money
mill of yours, Jonas, and come with
me; we shall a pleasant months
cruise"
Ct cannot possibly do it. To tell
the truth, I am in very tight place,
and it is a bad time for raising
money"
CHOW much do you want?"
about twelve thousand.
"W1ll ten thousand do?"
Eyes. ten would put rae out of
straits. In fact, ten thousand now
might be worth fifty thousand to
me-"
Charles walked to his secretary, and
unlocked it, counted out the amount
n bills, and handed them to his
riend, saying:
''Just give me your O U, Jonas,
or two months after date. Will that
be long enough?'
''You dent mean this, Charles?"
''Why. yes, do, old fellow. It is
not much of a kindness. after all.
You see, Merritt paid me my quarters
rent to-day, and shall be sure to
spend all before the quarter is over If
I keep the money where I can get 1t.
In two months shall be out Of funds
and in the height Of the season. 1t is
a plan Of mine to secure ten thousand
for clearing up in September"
THANK you, Charles, will accept
the loan with pleasure, and if you
should need it before, why, just drop
me a line. shall be out of trouble
long before September"
The young man then drew pen
and some paper toward him, wrote
out the 0 y, and handed it TO his
friend, observing as he did so: CAL
low me to say, Charles, that il is fool
ish to keep so much money here. Put
it with your banker"
Certainly. Merritt paid me this
afternoon. 1t was so hot when he
left | thought I would not go down
town until the morning. There is no
danger Nobody but you and Merritt
and myself knows anything about it.
Then he lifted the | o U, glanced
carelessly 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 Lieuten-
ant Pierce" 1.
In an instant the young mans
thoughts were diverted from his mon
ey affairs He was much excited at
the information. refused to believe it
and went over and over, with g pass
tomato earnestness, his easons for be-
ing certain that such & thing could
not be.
Why" he kept repeating, II have
known her ever since she was little
bit of a girl. ! carried her books to
school; I went with her to the dane
ing class; her father has been my Law
yer and adviser; have been at home
in Merritt's house as IN my own.
Pooh! the thing is impossible. Josie
never would treat me like that. |
won't believe it.