Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1888-08-16
CHAPTER II.

talker. know it's in him, and don't care
whether he opens his mouth or not.n
CHAPTER IL
THE COST OF REPUTATION FOR CHARITY.
Mr.. Norcross was a bachelor, and resided
in pleasant street in Upper Town, his sister
being housekeeper. His house was simply
furnished, yet the good taste apparent in the
arrangement of the furnituse gave the rooms
en- air of neatneSs if not OF elegance There
were not so many pictures as might be ex-
pected in the dwelling of lover OF art, and
in many cases the frames were more notice
able than the canvas; for upon most of them
were plates informing the visitor that they
were presented TO William Norcross for his
disinterested services as treasurer, director,
or chairman Of tho Society for the Relief Of
Infirm Wood-sawyers, or some other equally
benevolent association Tho silver pitcher
and salver, always visible upon a table, were
testimonial from the managers of a fair
for the aid Of INDECENT Widows. A massive
silver inkstand bore witness to the gratitude
of the Society of Grocers' Clerks. Numer-
Gus votes of thanks, handsomely engrossed
on parchment with eminent names ap-
pended, and preserved - gilt frames,
filed all the available space upon
the walls 1t was evit.nt that this
was the residence Of a Beaefactor of Man
kind
II was just after breakfast and Mr.. Nor
cross was preparing TO go ous. His full and
handsome face was serene rs usual and
general air of neatness pervaded his dress
lie was in fact unexceptionable in appear
ance, wearing the look that gets credit in
Wall street; gives respectaDility to public
platform, and seems to bring a blessing into
the abode of poverty. Nothing but broad
and liberal views, generous sentiments. and
| a noble self-forgetfulness would seem to
belong to man with such presence. But
his sister, Irene, this morning. seemed far
from being pleased with his plans; her tones
we're querulous and even severe.
"Now, William, she exclaimed, "you are
not going to sell that picture. We've had
enough changes-every auction a new pur-
chase, which you Immediately fling away"
"You are a very warm-hearted young
woman" replied her brother, "and you
doubtless imagine that l am able with my
limited resources 70 buy q picture from every
new painter, besides answering the number
less calls made upon me from every quarter
"Why did you bid for the picture them"
Il wished to encourage the artist"
~BuG why 90 you sell lt, thenf
"Jamieson wants it. and will give a small
advance on its cost"
"BUt Jameson was at the sale; why didn't
be BID for it, them"
"a very natural question, sister Irene; but
II shows that you arc not manager How
ever, I'll explain. Jameson was struck with
the picture, and would have given a foolish
price for It, So l said to him. Jameson,
don't be rash II two connoisseurs like you
and me bid against each other for this land
scape, other buyers viii think there is some-
thing in it, and the price will be run up TO
figure neither one of us can afford to pay.
Les me buy it and keep it a month 50, and
then we will agree on the term; I shan't be
hard on you. And l wont bc He shall
have it for a hundred, although / paid
eighty-seven odd"
$50 you speculate where you pretend to
patronize art"
"Don't use harsh words, Sister Irene.
Half the difficulties in the world come froma
hasty application of terms"
"But ] want the picture and l didn't ask
you to buy it merely to oblige Mr.. Oak
hurst"
"True, sister, but he viii paint Others and
better ones, perhaps. will buy another in
its place"
"And sell it when you get a good offer,
suppose"
'sister Irene, you evince thoughtless dis
position to trifie With hope not to wound
my feelings. How do you suppose l am
able to maintain my position in society, to
support George in his elegant idleness, to
supply all your wants, and TO help carry on
all the many benevolent enterprises in which
have become engaged, on the small amount
of property left u.s. and with the slender sal
airy of fifteen hundred dollars from the Insur-
ance company2 If / had not some self-de-
NAL, some management you would find quite
a different state of things"
"But / remember that you drew your last
years salary in q lump. You must have
money from some source for current ex-
penses, meanwhile"
"Some few business transactions last year
were fortunate. But l am poor, quite Door;
and nothing but a sense of duty impels me to
give so much Of my time and means t. aid
the unfortunate and the destitute and for
the promotion Of education and the arts chat
beautify and adorn life"
His wits probably were "wool-ga gathering"
for the phrases which had been so often
conned for public occasions slipped of his
tongue quite unawares His countenance
changed at once when Irene mischevously
applauded by clapping her hands and cry
ing,
"Hear~ He paused a moment, seemingly
doubtful whether to make an angry reply;
but his face frightened, and he exclaimed:
"You are a wicked tease, but can't be Of
Tended with you"
"Bye-bye, William" she replied. "Some
committee is waiting for you" Then as he
was about closing the door, Il was going to
say William, if your charities are not more
extensive than your patronage of art, you
might afford me that set Of pearls l asked
you for"
We will follow Mr.. Norcross TO the Insur-
ance office. 1t was only 9 o'clock, and the
business of the day did not begin until 10.
But the morning hour was rarely unoccupied.
As he sat in his arm chair, reading the morn
ing papers, Mr.. Jameson entered. He was
a clerk in the commission house Of Sleavin 81
Co., in Broad street; man of culture and
refined taste, as well as attentive to business
affairs. With an active, sanguine tempera-
ment, he had the good-humor and frankness
that usually belong TO less ardent natures.
Simple-hearted and straightforward, he was
vet as trustful and affeotionate as a child.
He was unmarried and lived with his mother,
her only child.
ooh, Jameson said Norcross, with cordi-
ality, you don't want tie picture yet! Let
it remain as long as you can, and I'll con-
slider the favor when we settle"
eNo, I'm in no hurry about the picture,
have a matter of business wish to consult
you about. My mother had a small property,
about ten thousand dollars. Up to this time
haven't made it very profitable, and
thought"
Just then a visitor entered. The President
Of the Society for the Reformation of Crimi-
nails came with q call for public meeting.
"You know, my dear sir, said the Presi-
dent, shat we don't expect you to pay we
consider the calls made upon your purse but
we want your name and influence"
Mr.. Norcross signed the call, and made