The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1888-05-12
THE BANK CLERK.

perfect freedom from anxiety or cor
roding care. The hurrying crowd,
the censless roar and rumble of city
life, were unheard or umoticed. His
heart WAS in his house ut Hartford,
the home of his birth and Of his
boyhood, where he had been pass
ing his summer vacation unrestrict-
ed by bank hours or the routine of
business life.
There was no shadow on that
home. A comfortable income sup
ported it. His mother was still un-
touched by time. His young
brother, II noble and promising boy;
Gertrude, his sister, was all that Il
sister could be, and-Gertrude had
a lovely female friend.
"There are moments in life which
we never forget" The drives, the
ramble in woods, the boatings, the
pleasant things said and done, with
every look that accompanied them
were all remembered now.
In front of Il music store he pauS-
ed abruptly. A college classmate
suddenly stood before him. Cor
daily they graspcd each Others
hands. Who could ioresee the sad
results of that meeting?
"Why, johnson, what has brought
you from the West? thought you
were absorbed in your land projects.
"Even so. And that interest bring,
me to the East. | have come miles
out Of my way to see you in refer
ence to it.
Where were you going?"
"Here, to get music for Gertrude.
Gertrude! How well | remembel
your beautiful sister and those hap
py college vacations with you a
Hartford. Careless, boyhood days
never to return. Now, let us take
the cars for Central Park, | hav,
much to say to you"
Within the grounds, Johpson tool
his arm, 81 must talk briefly for m.
time is limited. Just now there
great boom in real estate in m,
State;-especially. Land almos
worthless hitherto have assumed
fabulous prices"
"In making II fortune for myself
must bring you in for share"
Weston looked laughingly int
his face. "Why, Well, haven't yor
outlivcd your passion for castle-bu
ilding yet? Don't be offended. III
only the fault of a too sanguine TEN
perament.
"Your heart is always right"
"Thank you. Thank you. | hav
out lived my boyhood. And this j
not an illusion. Here, at the Eas
life is comparatively slow. At tn
West all is on grand scale. On
need not toll forever in bank o
counting-room before he can rea
the fruits of his labor.
Now there is golden opportunit!
1t may never return. There al
lands which will be of immens
value when the contemplated raj
road passes through"
"Are you sure that it will tax
that course?"
"As sure as am that l livel Ther
is a pause in the construction b,
cause of contending parties, eacI
anxious for certain route. The sid
which | espouse is sure to win. II
advantages are palpable to all.
have proved my confidence by il
vesting every dollar | can spare, II
most everything that | own, an
have insured a fortune"
"I fear you are too fast in yol
calculations"
you would not think so if yc
were on the spot. Everybody is vii
with excitement"
'Nota healthy excitement. Slow,
and surer is better.
"That is an exploded notion. G,
over it, and invest in these lands"
"You forget that l am n
rich. The property left me by n
father is small, but well investe
My salary is liberal. That is all
nave. L cannot rlSK IL.
"Borrow the money. You can I
turn it promptly"
"Neverl never! DO not suggest il
x x
johnson left in the night trai
hurrying to the West. Then came
letter-"Do not cast aside II
| proposal. 1t is Il duty to your flr
lily. You can place them in indepe
dant circumstances. Bank mon
can be easily and shortly restore
"All is excitement here. Now
, your time. There is tide in Il
= affairs of men,. Unconsciousl
I johnson was being made an instr
A.. Aa.t a 2 L