Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1888-03-16

~. -sANpAC
And so we shall, father" said Clara. we
shall be happy with You anywhere"
"One thing, am sure, you can never lose -
said Mrs Sleavin-~and that is an honorable
name"
i have tried to do my duty. gave nm
only what found l must Bit my Sntv =
not Vet done"
why, fatherg'
My creditors have claims which 7 rs,s-,,
as sacred, and which must be paid uItir,s.sN
ly at whatever sacrifice"
Won't the property at the store he enon-,
when You can sell it," asked Mrs SIS,
You have spoken of the quantity of s,,1.Ss
you had on hand"
Il can't say, my dear. 1t depends upon
how much time have. If l could have eff
fected sales | should have been safe
If they have the goods won't they be
satisfed." asked Clara
GU don't understand, my daughter. that
all have Is at their command If the nrop-
erty does not hquidate the debts. then the
house, the carriage and horses, the furniture.
the"
The possible surrender of all that had mazda
life pleasant to his family was not to h, CON
Sldered without emotion, and Mr.. Sleavin
found himself unable to finish the sentence
Dear father" exclaimed Clara, Selling
and kissing his hand, as she sat down at his
feet-"you are just and noble. We could
not be selfish or complaining when we think
of you. Let everything go. l love the dear
old house, the garden that has been YOUR
pride, the books and pictures; but we shall he
nearer together-shan't we, papal-in a cot
tage. If they do sell my piano. | can
still sing to you; nobody can take that pleas
ure from u.s.
"Bless you, my daughter! | feel relieved
almost happy. Your cheerful heart has
given me new courage. Perhaps we shall not
have to made the sacrifice | dread. What
ever happens, my darling, your piano shall
be kept. | will sell my watch first. Your
music will be twice as dear in our DAYS of
adversely"
YES papa-if we keep the piano l can
give lessons"
"You give lessonsi Nonsense! But get M.
pussy; here sit on my knee"
He fondled her like a child. and they all
smiled through their tears-heavenly smiles
blisSful tears! full of feeling of which the
heart i'll prosperous days has no conception
"One thing has happened today" said Mr..
Sleavin, that l shall never forget-an action
so generous and sef-forgetful that it makes
one think better of mankind l remember
hearing preacher say that no family knew
all their capabilities of love until death had
taken one of their number-not their love
for the dead, but their deeper affection for
each other after the loss. l suppose every
calamity brings its compensations in develop
ing noble traits of character; and it is almost
an offset to failure itself to have such an
ay-A
that there are so many sympathiz-
ing hearts But what | was going
to speak of was the conduct OF my clerk,
Jameson. He is a fine fellow rather more
given to pictures and books and music than
is good for a business man; but with a clear
head, mans energy, and womans heart.
He has a widowed mother, whom he sup
ports. l never knew he had any property
till to-day. 1t seems his father left $4,000
He knew that my situation was desperate
and yet he offered me his ALL 1t would only
have put off the day of failure; but was self
ish enough to be willing TO take it. He had
deposited the securities for the amount with
Norcross, who first borrowed money in the
street by pledging them, and then failed to-
day. Jameson has lost his all; but his inten-
ton was as noble as if he had saved me.
q
dollar he shall share it"
what noble fellowl" said Mrs Sleavin.
allow pleasant to think that in this terrible
scramble for life there are some who have
not lost their humanity, nor trampled down
their finer feelingsl"
Il couldn't but contrast this kindness on
the part of clerk, for whom l have never
done anything beyond paying him his we'll
earned salary, with the conduct of Mr.. Tril-
lion. gave him my Endorsement repeated
ly, and assisted him in procuring loans,
when he was not so rich as he is now l
know he has resources, ready money-money
that he does not need for any outstanding
debts, but which he must keep for specula-
ton. But he refused to do anything.
Couldn't, he said, really; times were hard;
every body wanted to borrow; couldn't lend
to everybody; hadn't the funds; much as he
could do to stand up himself There was no
sincerity in his look. l saw his soul skulking
away behind his subterfuges like spider in
the depths of his fiimsy web. He seems to
thrive, however, in the midst of general ruin.
I've no doubt he lives like vulture, on the
dead and dying"
as Mr.. Trillion that short man, father,
with the cold eyes and gruff voice, and the
queer eyebrow which he seems to poke at
peoplem
eyes, my daughter, that is the man."
"Well, I'm sure, he is coarse, disagreeable
hard-hearted I'm glad you are not under
obligations to him."
my only regrets that had the mortifica-
ton of being refused. L wish / had never
asked him. l can't think of his look and
tone without pang of shame, or wounded
pride, if you choose to call it so, harder to
bear than than blow in the face. l had a
claim upon his gratitude, but he remembers
a favor no more than wolf does the mutton
he ate year ago. But enough of business
The bitterness has passed since we have talk
ed together. Let us be cheerful Come
Clara, sing some of those sweet old ballads"
From her infancy until now in her twenti-
eth year, Clara had been constantly with her
father-but she had never known him before