Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-01-10

elNl. w laU am / 10 uOt are you not eX-
pocting some money"
"No. Ny affairs are wound upn
"And what is to become of u.s."
The sick man gave an agonized moan; the
woman continued:
1--WE must pawn something"
"But whatp
SECURITIES from the safe
The broker sat up in his bed, and gurgled
in a hoarsc, stided voice:
"They do not belong to meln
ITO whom else.'
"The count mtrusted them to me to specu-
late with on change
"Nou viii return them as soon as YOU are
well again"
~ shall never Inc well again"
And if mott He still has enough
at is his property
"Aud what is to become Of us?"
Convulslve weeping was the answer but
the woman was not satisfied with the answer.
'Beggars3"
"Beggarsl"
81, your daughter, your children"
"All of vou!n
and is this right
"And is this right," This dreadful re-
proach now kept ringing in the ears of the
sick man. "And is this right.n the woman
repeated ten times day. First She whispered
it; then she shrieked it with shrill voice
Filled with these merciess words was the
night, which brought no refreshing slumber
to the poor dropsy ridden man, but only terri
flying darkness. Now and then he would
raise himself from his sick bed with miracu-
lous strength and steal into the adjoining
room where his youngest precious one slept,
profoundly and happily; he would crawl up
to the bed and nestle his prickly face close up
to the little, smooth checks and sob-softy.
Sometimes the child awoke and started in
fear, for the ugly sick father terrified him.
Then, Ike a kicked dog, the broker would
creep back to his couch, and again the cruel
words would stir up every particle of rest in
the sick heart, and lacerate and torture him
with unspeakable pain.
And is this rightf'
The next day his condition was worse
His stomach was bloated like a leather bag;
he could no longer lie down, and he breathed
with difficulty.
Il have no money for the market =" said the
woman
On this day the first paper security was
taken to the pawnshop. The proceeds lasted
for several days But as they We're about to
take tie second paper, there came letter
from the count. He wrote: Il have heard
that You are ill., Now must admit, Josef,
that you have served me most honestly, but
there is no knowing what may happen. Ny
secretary will come to you tomorrow in or
der to remove the sccur,tes.n
The woman had been reading the letter to
him.
"WellH' she asked
They must be given to him when he
comes"
And is this right"
Again these words. 1t is not till noon that
the broker answers. First ne lisps it to him
self
This is not right, it cannot be-
In the afternoon the brown young man
calls. At the beginning Of his visits he had
only been an apprentice. The family meant
especially well by him. He was a fellow
countryInan of the hostess The broker had
procured situation for him, and later a
position as bookkeeper in prominent bust
ness house. He loved him as his own SON
But since he was taken i'll he had not allowed
him in his room. Now, however, he had
called him in.
Wife and daughter were also in the room
For a while his eyes rested on those pres
ent; then he called his daughter to himself:
johanna, do you want to become Pauls
wifcf'
eSl" came the firm answer
Then again there was silence. The brokers'
lids closed YEARLY and while he was wiping
the perspiratiun from his brow he reflected.
Lock tho door, the sick man at last be-
gan anew and his eyes wandered about anx-
iously. Even the window curtains had to be
let down; then he had himself carried to his
iron safe. From en- inside drawer he took
the package of securities and had them
counted.
Papers to the value of $4,000 gulden p
said the bookkecper.
GAS much to the count as penny is to us, N
added the woman.
The secretary of the count was received the
next day with Il remark that the broker had
gone away on a journey. Nobody knew
where or when he would return. The secre-
tary returned several times to look for him,
but when he heard that in reality the broker
was in his room on his deGthbed he came no
more.
In his place came the officials OF the Grim
inal court. The broker was expecting them,
and days before he was shaken with the ague
of the damned
"When they come, you must dissanble,
feign unconsciousness,n the wife whispered
in his ear, and left the house with the daugh-
ter. Tho dying man was left ~ himself, and
| leTNeHIly dS lb lOuBeu LOT IL ne ClQ not 1850
consciousness. He heard the count very dis
unctly he gently and forbearingly gave
him to understand that he lad never treated
him as he had others; he heard him almost
beg: Josef, you are a good, honest man
give me back my money"
The broker bit his lips and was silent, al
though some terrible power seemed TO prompt
. him TO say: The money is in the hands of
| nv daughters betrothed: | rave il To him
wished to steal it for my family. regret
it; take it back; | want to die an honest
mani"
In his breast honesty and the blind love
for his family fought hot and savage bat
tie. The second tri'Enphed. He closed his
eyes, and not a syllable was TO be forced
from him.
The count was seized with sudden wrath:
Gentlemen, want my money III see if
there is no way to get at my money! Drag
him hence! Away to prison with h.m"