The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-09-18
to the home of his bethrothed. on

=" wv ''"'O vi hlo UelIlrOtno0, on |
Charles street.
1t was an appointed night between
the lovers; it had been agreed be.
tween them that Hammond should
then, upon his return from the West.
stop Oh the new weeks end, ticket
and ask Girard for his daughter Lau.
"a in marriage.
She anticipated the servant when
his expected signal sounded at the
bell. For a brief space they were
locked in close embrace:
Then releasing herself. she said:
II think father is in the library.
Come, we will go together to him.
But fear for the worst. Harry,
"Let us not fear-but come" he
said.
They little knew what scene was
at that moment transporting in the
library.
Times had gone even harder than
before with Richard Girard. The
strikes throughout the Union had
seriously depressed trade in the very
midst of his season the merchant
found his business blocked at every
turn. House after house had been
mortgaged to sustain him in the or
deal, until now. his creditors having
heard of his transactions, had closed
in upon him like wolves-an. except
ing Smart & Main, 0 New York, aud
he marveled at their quietness. The
once powerful merchant actually
found himself on the verge of ruin,
with credit completely gone, when
less than twenty thousand dollars
would have "tided him ever" and
saved him.
In the library were the merchant,
the lawyer. the notary, and few of
the most important creditors. Their
conversation plainly indicated the
climax of an assignment.
"Please affix your signature here,
Mr.. Girard."
Tremblingly the old mans hand
received the pen another moment
and. through his tears of shame he
would haye signed away all that re-
manned of once proud fortune.
"Hold !" interposed IA commanding
voice,
Harry Hammond stepped into
their midst, while Laura, in the
doorway, gazed apprehensively upon
the strange scene.
That is, perhaps, a little prema-
ture," the young traveller said, bland
ly. "How much was it l overheard
you re'uark, Mr.. Attorney. that you
figured Mr.. Girard's liabilities ?'
"Just eighteen thousand and ninety
dollars, with a fraction of cents"
Hammond turned to the merchant.
"Mr. Girard, my draft for twenty
thousand on the Chemical National
Bank, of New York, is at your dis
posaI. Request these gentlemen to
meet you at your Office Tomorrow in
banking hours, and receive your
checks against the draft"
Not until the assembled creditors,
the lawyer, and the attorney had de-
parted did the daZed merchant re-
cover from the mist of astOundment.
He saw his daughter tenderly fold
ed in Hammond's arms. and both
gazing eXpectantly toward him.
"Hammond, whence comes this
money ?"
"My savings, Mr.. Girard. through
many years of hard labor"
"How much have you saved ?"
"Just twenty thousand"
"You have, then, given me all that
you possessed Then / shall be just
and give to you all that have in the
world, my motherless child, my dar!-
ing Laura. 1 know that she loves
you. else hundred times twenty
thousand could not buy one of her
kisses away from her old father. May
God bless you ~
A sudden and wonderful change
has come over the Baltimore house.
In front is new, gold-lettered sign
bearing the firm name, "Girard &
Hammond" There is to be sound
of wedding bells, while "the flowers
that bloo-" but no matter. Ham.
mond has retired from the road old
Richard Girard takes life easy in the
gray and scar of nearly ended car
reer, riding at will i'm his comfortable
private carriage once again. Laura is
busy with her troussesu; and Ham
mond, the groom elect, is busy in
fusing the life of his younger blood,
energy, and experience successfully
into the fast r, covering business Of
his partner and prospective father-in-
Iaw.-The american Commercial Ira
Ueier.
Excitement In Txas.