Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1888-02-03
CHAPTER VI.
DISCUSSING THE INVESTMENT

mer, Mrs. Jameson had rolled up her sew
ing and was waiting for her son. Tea was
ready in the pleasant east room, and the air
of the house seemed to invite tranquility and
repose. 1t was in quiet street, away from
the rattle of carriages, and comparatively
free from the multitudinouS noises of a city
The carts of milkmen and marketmen were
the only vehicles that frequented it. The
narrow yard in the rear, with its fringe of
grass, and the proximity of the pavement in
front, were the only things that would have
prevented one from thinking himself a
dweller in the country. As the clock struck
six Robert JameSon's step was heard at the
door other men might be DELAYED; he,
never. No seductious of billiards or pleas
ant company ever kept him from the society
of his mother. He had varied sources of
amusement, and many friends, attracted by
his genial temper and tried worth: but he
never forgot that his mother denied herself
all intercourse with society, and was indif-
ferent to every pleasure out of the sphere of
home. Nor did he meet her as a matter of
course; mindful of his mothers absorbing
love, and heartily returning it, he seemed
always, upon entering the room, to have
come home as from long absence. He
kissed her fondly, asked after her health and
spirits, and how she had passed the day.
THE day is always long till you come,
Robert. Tea is ready now, son. When you
are rested we will sit down"
"Ah, mother, you are cheerful to day I
have brought you, besides the papers, a new
book, which we will commence presently.n
"A thoughtful boy you are but you have
not told me all, Robert. | see something be-
hind those eyes Of yours
Ill =
have pretty present for you-a sweet pict-
ure l bought for you the other day, and
which will come home tomorrow, | fancy. "
rs that all! l shall be glad to see the pict-
ure, because you like it. But YOU have
something else on your mind"
II see never keep anything from you,
mother. You seem to know my thoughts"
@Well, what is it,"
Il have been thinking, mother, that our
little property was hardly SO productive as it
ought to be. earning hardly six per cent,
while know that many of my friends are
getting eight, and even ten"
81 am afraid that the extra interest is only
to pay for the risk of losing ALL"
"True, that is often the case; but l think
we can make all safe"
"Well, what do you propose doing"
az have left it with Mr. Norcross, an ac-
quaintance of mine, to invest for me. He
is secretary of an insurance company, and
knows all the ways of the money lending
world"
ats great risk, Robert, to trust our all {"
mot our ALL mother. 1 have a salary. and.
whatever may happen, we can always depend
on that Besides, MIR. Norcross is a man of
integrity and credit. He has the unlimited
confidence of the company, and rely upon
him as l would myself
allow has he invested it: Have you got the
securities!'
"Not yet, mother | have left the money
on his note for the present. and when he has
found good chance to loan it, he will give me
the mortgages or stocks, as the case may be.
But come mother, let US sit down to tea
All is safe, | am sure; and tomorrow / will
make you satisfied with my prudent manage
ment."
When the simple meal was over, they sat in
the twilight before the gas was lighted The
moments passed rapidly in their free and
loving converse. Then the table was drawn
out and the new book opened. Mrs. Jameson
suddenly recollected something.
1Walter, my dear, letter was left here to-
day by the postman. As it was directed to
the street and number, it did not go to your
box Here it is. l have read it; and rather
sad news it brings Cousin Jonas is failing,
so his daughter writes, and it is doubtful
whether he ever RECEIVERS. Poor child lam
sorry for her."
Robert took the letter and hastily read it.
"a modest, feeling, sensible little girl, am
sure. l have never seen her, you know;
but this letter is simple, touching, and wom-
anly."
"A dear, good girl, am sure. How lonely
she must BET"
Another, l believe III go and see them. Ia
time Of trouble we should forget ceremony.
Cousin Jonas has never invited me, ont m
go and see him. won't you go, tOo!'
any dear boy couldn't it's no use to coax
men
Il have but one thing 10 trouble me,
mother-and that is, that can never get you
away from this spot"
SIN very happy, Robert, and it's very
pleasant spot; why should 1 wish to go?"
slow long since you were in a carriageT
Her eyes filed with tears, but she made no
reply.
Forgive me, mother! / remember the
time-fve years. and it seems like yesterday
when father
There was a silence which, for time,
neither cared to break.
well said Robert at length, Il shall
have to go alone Tomorrow morning
will arrange my business-not forgetting our
securities-and start on the afternoon train"
%Your father often spoke Of COUSIN Jonas
and his lovely wife: wonder if the daughter
has her mothers beauty
Il can't tell / hope 50. But don't look 50
inquiringly. / don't love woman in the
world-e1cept you, mother. / shant fall in
love, even If she Is an angel"
IF Cousin Jonas should be worse-should
die, what viii become Of the poor nnotherless
childg7
There are no nearer relatives than we,
mother-and we must give her a home. II
she viii come
Certainly, Robert, we must not be hard
hearted"
Mrs Jameson was charitable, kind and
motberiy toward the distressed; she felt the
force Of her sons generous sentimentz- II it
were her cousin Jonas himself who was to
be sheltered, or his son, il he had one-or il
the daughter were unattractive, hoyden
even. she would chserfullY make any sacri- |