The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-09-14

Of old Baldwins denominations Long ago the
amount had been written In four figures, at last
Do came TO five. Ten thousand pounds on John
Bad WINS return from the east stood TO
us fathers credit in the books OF Day, son s.
Taper, and when the old gentleman ceiyed
thr usual hali-yeaFly statement uf us affairs, ne
used to raise his eyebrows ominously as he ruled
The TWO Agulalion lines under the sum total. or
course James BaldWln's 10000 were not at
call. 1t had been arranged that month s
notice was to be given 10 The firm. This was -Dut
fair, they SAID aud James Baldwin thoEght SO,
when old Taper left the i'm m; The partners OF
me new nm kindly but firmly pointed cut TO
Eatawl1 LL.I-SS--1,ss6Sition.
You have a bill OF exchange, Jane s, signed
by Taper Day 6 Son, If you retain that and
anything unforeseen was to occur TO Day, Son
Taper, you could only come IN after all The
Trade creditors were satisfied
But you could come down on me, you know,
James," sand the former head Of the firm with
outlaw; ''yOu could come down on me-"
Old BALDWIN looked up With puzzled express
sion. To talk OF coming IN with any kind OF cred
itor seemed 10 him to be little short OF rank
blasUhemy However, he had TO elect so as
matter OF form new bill was made nut IN TIE
sh-pe OF ordinary bill at six months, aud 1t
was signed by the hrm of Day, Son & Taper.
Now though Baldwin was shfewd old fellow
enough, H. had Que weak POINT, and that was his
intense trust in the house in ST. Mary Axe.
Nothing could disturb the trust. From the firm
be had received bis money, with the nm II
should remain.
ofien and often, after Johns return, he had
toln hi m this; and as the nature OF the old man
was emluenily uncOmmunieatiYe John had not
the remoIesl idea of his fathers position. But
time was coming when the father began 10 feel
that he must needs be more conhding. The
parents Of tie incest glrl IN the world asked
awkward questions, and at length John was
forced 10 uut these questions 10 his father. This
was all The more imperative as James Baldwin
was 10 very Indifferent health, aud LucyS father
was becoming impatient for something tangible
John had looked on bis father man who
had earned his ease by sheer hard work, and be
supposed lin 10 have a small competence
Whether II dled with him or not had not trOu-
lrd he EuuuagT but lie told Qet-
nitey by bis father what tile nature OF his prop
erty was. .,r
have not many more weeks 10 live"
John knew This 10 be true. He silently pressed
Lls fathers nand.
have provided for your sisters" lie said;
"lhey will have couple OF thousand pounds
auieee. You, my dear son. you VIII be my eX-
eeulor and my residuary egatee. l shall leave
you elO.OOO-ihere or thereabouts."
ana then came the olt-Iold tale OF the old firm
aud its Work, its steady uphill but successful
work. OF James Baldwins long service TO the
nTin and OF their mutual confidence.
mold no security" said james Baldwin
% want no security; but with you, my boy, IL
VIII be different. My girls are provided for, my
investments exactly cover their shares; but you
are my only son. You viii brgln your life with
100000" The OLD man dwell on the words low
ingiy q" Ten thousand pounds. aud. remember,
.IUhn you have not known the firm as | have
known H. You VIII want the money. Take It
OUT"
Old James Baldwin placed a memorandum of
tie contents OF his Will 10 his sons hands, turned
aged, was asleep IN few minutes.
John Baldwin astonished - astOnished
at tile amount of his fathers property, as
tUulshed AT the amount OF bis own legacy.
But it was not exactly legacy John was
entitled to, but residue. Lucy's parents,
IsO. were surprised al The amount, but old James
BaldWin's IuIegrity was incoutestabie. Lucy s
father was satisfied more than satisfied With
ten thousand pounds John could go Into good
house, ana Lucy would furnish It. II was plain
sailing; settlements were TO be prepared. Lucy s
little property was to be securely tied up; and
The young people were 10 walt iii John came
iuio his own.
James Baldwln's days were numbered and he
died. as lie predicted himself, in few weeks.
John and his cO-eXecutOf, young Taper, proved
the Will John pad his sisters their legacies,
and giving The firm OF Day. Son Taper six
mouths notice, he waited patiently for his In
lie notice expired on Christmas eve. John
and Lucy were 10 be married at the New Year.
John had bought hOnse aud II was IN every
way suited 10 his object. In doing this John
Baldwin spent his last penny but there was nc
imprudence IN his. DID he not hold the BILL Of
Day, son Iapper for 10000?
LGcys flther one morning asked John TO call
on nm.
u don't like this matter OF yours John" lie
said. " l dont Ike II. Day, Son & Taper are
fishy. They do no business. The day for mid.
deinen has gone by. WHAT'S he good of Them ?''
he remarked. VII MI. Titely 20 10 them, will
he stores 60 TO them. or VIII you and go to
their customers? Now don't mistake me. ] am
man oil my word; will not deceive you. When
you gel your 10000 you can marry my dauglI-
Ter. Not I'LL Them"
John knew be meant it. What could he say?
lie lrll tho old man. How would matters enc II
Lueys father were Tight2 That Lucy herself
would be rue to him he did not for an instant
douoli Dut 10 begin life in an empty house,
ara WIN empty pockets, and several diplomas
carefully preserved In tin case, would be hard
on Lucy. Indeed. he felt 1t would be inpossible.
Sadly he thought OF his frequent visits to an
per. In the huge warehouse that he remeil-
bered IN his bOyhOod, so full Of busy people. he
lad lately seldom noticed a customer as he
passed through. Taper, his coexecutor, had
always been glad TO see him. Mechanically he
turned his steps toward 81. Mary Axe. As he
entered the huge portico oil the wel-lighled ware
house and asked for MIR. Taper he again no.
ticed the apparent absence OF business. Some
new aud energetic employe, taking him Tor a
customer had rushed our and said some
thing 10 John about job line in the broche
silks, but this young fellows earnest solicita-
lions merely set IN motion the big echoes OF the
huge place. Baldwin diAbused him OF the idea
tual lie was a customer and the idling employees
merely grnned at each other. He went in; he
chartered With Taper. There was no go, how