The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1888-10-18
THE BANK CLERK,

thoughts the expression Of his handsome
face indicated perfect freedom from
anxiety or corrodinR care. The hurry
ing crowd, the ceaseless roar and rum
! BILE OF city life, were unheard or unno
ticed. His heart was in his home al
Hartford, the home of his birth and OF
his bOyhood, where he had been passing
his summer vacation unrestricted by
bank hours or the routine Of business
life.
There was no shadow in that home
A comfortable income supported it. His
mother was still untouched by time.
His young brother. noble and promis-
ing boy; Gertrude, his sister, was all
that sister could be and--Gertrude had
q lovely female friend.
There are moments in lie which we
never fol get" The drives, the rambles
In woods, the boatings, the pleasant
things said and done, with every look
that accompanied them, were all remem-
bered now,
In front of music store he paused
abruptly. A college clsssmste suddenly
stood before him. Cordially they grasp
ed each others hands. Who could fore
see the sad results of that meeting ?
why, JohDst IN, what has brought
you from the West? l thought you
were absorbed in your land projects"
Even so. And that interest brings
me to the East. have come miles out
OF my way to see you ia reference to it.
Where were you going /"
Here to get music for Gertrude"
"Gerlrude How well remember
your beautiful sister ana Ihose happy
college vacations with you at Hartford.
Careless, boyh days-neVer to return.
Now, let us take the cars for Central
Park, | have much to say to you"
Within the grounds, Johnston took
his arm. II must talk briefly for my
time is limited Just now there is
great boom in real estate in my State
especially. Lands almost worthless
hitherto have assumed fabulous prices.
In making fortune for myself 1 must
buIing you in for a share.
Weston looked laughingly into his
face.
"Wby, Will, haven't you outlived
your passion foy castle building vet !?
Don't be offended. 'Tis the fault of
too sanguine temperament. Your heart
is always right"
Thank you. Thank you. have out
lived my boyhood. And this Is not on
illusion. Here, at the East, life is com
paratively slow. At the West all is on
a grand scale. One need not toll forever
in bank or countIng-room before he
can reap the fruits OF his labor. Now,
there is golden opportunity. 1t may
never return. There are lands which
will be of immense value when the con-
templated railroad passes through"
| Are YOU sure that il will take that
course - .....
As sure as | am that live There
is a pause in the construction because of
contending parties, each anxious for a
Gel tain route.
The side which l espouse is sure to
win, Its advantages are palpable to all
have proved my confidence by invest
ing every dollar | can spare, almost
everything that own, and have insured
fortune"
~ fear that you are too fast in your
calculations
you would not think 40 if you were
ON the spot. Everybody is wild with
excitement"
mot healthy excitement. Slower
and surer is better"
THAT is an exploded notion. Get over
1t and invest in these lands"
You forget that am not rich. The
property left me by my father is small
but well invested. My salary IS liberal
That is all have. cannot risk it,
Borrow the money. You can return
it promptly"
Never never Do not suggest it,"
Johnston left in the night train, hur-
rying to the West Then came a Litter
-"Da not cast aside my proposal. 1t is
your duty to your family. You can
place them in independent circum-
stances. Bank money can be easily and
shortly restored. All ia excitement here.
Now is your time? There is a tide in
the affairs of men," Unconsciously
Johnston was being made an iustI ument
TO test the virture Of his friend. Just
before he retired to his room telegram
arrived BE quick, that you may not
regret when too late"
The night that followed was one never
to be- forgotten. Midnight was ap-
preaching. Alone, in the stiffness,
thoughts which he had rejected with in
dignation in the day came back with
strange persistency. 1t was an hour of
weakness, and Satan assa'leG him with
all his power. Suggestions hurled back
at one moment returned the next
Make your family independent" The
money can be returned before it is miss
ed" mo harm will come to any body"
Then his better nature asserted itself.
Honor, industry, self-respect, character
were at stake. Above all, Gods COM
mand forbade the act. The deed itself
was TO be denounced, whatever the
issue. Again that voice "Your young
brothers future; his college course; his
profession"
He walked the floor in an agony OF
mind, asking himself "Shall Satan haye
the ascendeDcy? Has God foIsaken me?
The conflict was sharp one. Every
nerve was strung to its tiImist tension.
The occupant of the room below won.
dered as be heard the rapid irregular
tread so late at night. At last it ceased.
i Exhausted in mind and body, Weston
had thrown himself without unures ing,
upon his bed and fell into a troubled
sleep. The conflict continued in his
dreams TIL the perspiration stood in
great beads upon his forehead.
In rudderless boat he was tossed
upon the waves. Frightful pillows were
surging around and over him. No hand
was near to save him.
God help me God help me he ex.
claimed.
A moment more and there was lul
in the tempest. All was still, to still
/ that the silence was oppressive. Tn,
, darkness was Ike wall before him, anC
then upon that darkness, in letters o
light, he read (:
when thou passelh through the wa
ters will be with thee; and through
the foods, they shall not overflow thee.
Transfixed he gazed upon them. Slow
ly they faded away. Once again tn,
handwriting upon the wall
He is able 10 succor them that arr
tempted"
These words also faded.
Then through The darkness, sof
lixht diffused itself. and from the mids
q face, q form emerged. IL softly ap
. preached nearer and nearer, till il hov
cred over him.
4 1t was his mothers form, his mother
face that looked upon him with un
e speakable compassion and love. Sh
\ laid her cool hand upon his forehea,
3 bent down and kissed him.
n MY son My son whittier goes
i thou For the love OF God and Of ou
: mother come back to me Z"
$ With bound he sprang to her out
a stretched arms. my mother my an
gel mother T. he cried in a voice o
agony. The vi'on faded. All was still
v In a dream God had cent his angel t,
: minister unto him. and that angel wa
4 his mother.
As consc .ou mess returned he preeset
4 his hand to his forehead, and then sanl
upon his knees.