The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1886-12-24

Dut llt luIDtu ht tne uOtT.
"Aaron has a kind heart,' he resum.
ed. "He can't leave a good fellow like
you in trouble. I'll tell you what I'll
do. Ill lend you money, and yon give
me your character as pledge. lend
at small rates of interest, mere baga
tell How does the proposition strike
you ~
Alfred thought a moment. He look.
ed about the room, at the yawning
emptiness of tho wardrobe, at the bed
without pillows, at the shelves without
books. Everywhere poverty seemed
to grin and say, II will never leave you -
His. decision was made. With re-
pellant gesture he cried "Take it;
will pawn it"
Suddenly he stopped. How was it
possible to pawn character. This
idea was the offspring of a crazy brain.
81 know what troubles the gentle
man." the Jew broke into his reverie.
"1ll fix it, He drew out what appear
ed to be a common pill box, opened it,
then closed it again in few moments.
"Here is your character" he said con-
temptuously, tapping the cover. Alfred
looked at the box in astonishment,
and in the dim light spelled out the in
scription, "Noble character
"You see said the Jew, 'what an
honorable label your character bears.
| classify them according 30 values.
Here are pure characters in this. Rel
ative cneap, but not durable you must
protect them carefully from the wind.
Here are Strong characters in this box
but this prattle is nothing to you.
You'd rather see your money on the
table, eh ?'
He drew out the purse again and
laid the gllstening eagles one on top of
another Suddenly he stopped.
"In five years from this time Aaron
will come to you. If you do not re-
turn the sum | give you, together with
the interest, your character belongs to
me. Agreed p
Alfred nodded his head. The strange
jew dove down deeper into the purse;
with incredible speed the golded col
ums raised shemselves to the ceiling,
and the bottomless purse was not
empty. Its contents remained mex
haustible. Heaven give US all such a
purse.
Five years passed away. We see
Alfred in one of those whirlipg circles
of society, where foaming champagne
flows 10 streams, diamonds flash and
silks and satins rustic. Alfred has
gained somewhat in rotundty, his
cheeks glow with health, his eyes
beam with contentment. Evidently
the lack of character agrees with him.
There is his wife, bat it is not the beau
tiful, cruel hearted maiden of bis early
fancy. The ice of her heart has been
melted by the glow of his eagles, but
his own heart suddenly became ice.
To be sure he does not love his wife,
nor does she love him, but that does
not trouble them iD the least.
Alfred's lack of character is an open
secret. Everyone knows it; everyone
reads it on his forehead. And yet he
holds his head high, and everyone bows
humbly before him. His breast is ad-
orned with insignia; fathers point to
him rs a worthy pattern for their sons;
political parties conduct fierce combats
in his interest he is the subject of
penegyric books and articles And in
his old little low chamber sits another
youth in poor trousers and worn out
slippers, and by the light of talow
dedicates to him poem, full of enthu-
siasm for humanity.
But II would rather write an ode
to gold. All that is the subject worthy
of the age! Yes, money is the idol of
our century. The heaven proclaims it.
Above the moon "a great silver dollar,)
and the stars Qittle silver coins) CLEANS
huge golden eagle, the sun. And we
bow the knee before it. We are the
modern Parsees, but we call ourselves
gold -worshippers. We preach moral
ity for money, we love mankind-for
money we saddle the soaring Pegasus
and give equestrian exhibitions for
money-and l am writing this little
salire-Q hope) for money.
a liveried servant announced to Mr..
Alfred Dooittle that a dirty Jew was
at the door, and insisted upon seeing
him. Alfred Immediately recalled the
article he had put in pawn five years
ago. "Take him to my private room
he ordered.
1t was cozy, luxurious apartment
The walls were covered with pictures
of beautiful, passionate, dainty, proud,
tender aud voluptuous women, in atti-
tudes and toilets which the modest
maiden would hardly have trusted to
her mirror with bolted doors.
Again Alfred and the strange little
Jew stood face to face.
"You are late" said the former, look.
ing at his watch.
The Jew began to pour out some ex-
cuse about the trouble he had in getting
beautiful character through the Gus
tom House, but Alfred interrupted
him.
you've brought back my pledge, I
''To be sure, Your Worship" and
the Jew drew dirty box out of his
bag.
"Well, you may keep it. I am con-
vinoed that man can live Just as
well without character as with one
if not better. But | have another
trihe | should like to dispose Of"
"Well.'
81 have a little feeling of shame left
which makes me uncomfortable at
times. Id like to get rid of it,
Aaron shrugged his shoulders, shook
his head, and replied with a repulsive
laugh:
mo demand for it This article has
long since gone out of fashion. | beg
Your Worship simply to glance at the
walls OF your own ROOM"
Court Proceedings.
On petition, Edward Williams wa
appointed guardian of Mary Colds,
worthy aud Ambrose Goldsworthy.
On petition, James Goldsworthy ap