South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1888-12-14
.THEINTELLlcENcEs
FRIDAY DEcEMBER IA, 1883.
THE BANK CLERK.
By EITHER valdez BARNES.

pertecL freedom from anxiety or coT>
roding care. The huirying crowd,
] the ceaseless roar and rumble of city
life. were unheard or unnoticed. His
heart was in his home, at Hartford
the home OF his birth and Of his boy.
hood where he had been passin his
Summer vacation unrestricted by
bank hours orrthe daily routine OF
business life.
There was no shadow on that home.
A comfortable income supported it.
His mother was still untouched by
time. His young brother, a noble
and promising boy; Gertrude. his
sister, was all that q sister could be.
and-Gertrude hal lovely female
friend.
there are moments In life which
We never forget The drives, tho
rambIes in the woods, the bostings,
the pl asaut things said and done,
With every look that accompanied
them, were all remembered now.
In front of music store he paused
abruptly. A college classmate sud
denly stood before him. Cordially
they grasped each o hers hands.
Who cou d foIosec the sad results OF
that meetingf
why, Johnston, hat has brought
you from the WestS l. thought you
were sbsoi bed in your land projects /
! Even 30. Ard that interest brings
me TO the East. have come miles
out Of my WY to see you in reference
to il. VIII no we're you going?'
Here, TO get nusic for Gertrude
'Gerlrudel How well remember
your beautiful sister and those happy
college vacations with you at Hart.
ford. Careless, boylood days-nev-
er TO return, Now, let us take tie
cars for Central Park. l have much
to say to you.'
Within the grounds, Jchn-ton took
his arm. Il must talk briefly for my
time is limited. just now there's q
grost boom in real es.ate-in nv
State. especially. Lands almost worth
less hitherto have assumed fabulous
prices. In making f rtune for my
self must bring you in for share
Weston looked laughingly into his
face. why, Will, haven't you out
lived your passion for c.stleIbuilding
yet Don't be offended. Ills only
the fault OF a too sanguine tempera.
ment. Your heart is always right.
Thank you. Thank you / have
6ptlived my boyhood. And this is
net an illusion. Here at the East,
life is comparatively SLOW. At the
West, oil is on q grand scale. One
need not toll forever in bank or count.
ing room before he can reap the fruits
OF his labor. Nov, there is golden
opportunity. IL may never return.
There are lands VIII Gu will be OF i'm
mense value when the contemplated
railroad passes through
Are you sure that the road will
take that course 2
AS sure as am that live There
| is pau in the construction becau sc
OF contending parties, each anxious
! for a Certain rOu'e. It's advantages
are pal able To oil. 1 have proved
my confidence by investing every dol.
lar l can slate, almost every thing |
own, and have insured fortune
Il fear that YOU arc too fast in your
calculal IONS
You would not think so if you we're
on the spot. Everybody Is Wild With
excitement
No: healthy excitement. Slow
er and surcr is better
That is an exploded notion. Get
over it and invest in these lands.
You forget that l am not rich.
rbe property left me by my father is
small, but well inv s'ed My salary
is !ibcrsl. That is all that / have.
| cannot risk it,
Borrow the money. You can :e-
turn IL prom tly.'
Mover never! d. not suggest IT,
Johnston loft in the night train
hurryirg TO The West. Then came a
letter DO not cast aside nv propo.
snl. IL is a dusy to your family.
You can place them in Independent
circumstances. Bank money can be
easily and shortly restored All il
ca element here. Now is your time
There is tide in the affairs Of men.
UncOnsciously, Johnston was being
made an instrument TO test he vir-
tue OF his freud. Just before he re-
III ed TO his room telegram arrived
BE quick, that you may not regret il
when too late.
The night that fol owed was one
never 20 be ,orgotieD. Midnight was
approaching. Alone, 10 the SIT lness,
thoughts which be had rejected with
indignation IN tho day came back
y i;h STANCE persistency. 1t was an
hour of weakness, and Satan assaileG
him with all his power. SuI gesJions
hurled back ct one moment returned
the next:-'Make your family ipde-
pendent The money can be re-
turned before IT is missed No harm
will come 10 any body
Then his better nature asserted it,
self Honor, honesty, self-reSpect
character, we're at stake. Above all
Gods command forJaJe the act
The decd lis II was TO be denounced
whatever the issue. Again that voices
Your young brothers future; his
college course, his profession
Tie walked the floor In an agony oil