Wichita eagle., 1890-01-16

| In a week OF CWO-sIdI iS-tIo you COur-
ageous"
| ssOf course VIII he dieg'
The physician stared at the woman.
| ''In a week or two, it is quite certain. Be
prepared for it"
The woman trelnbIed visibly: her features
| for a moment were contorted.
| "Well, what does the doctor sayf' asked
| the husband
| "Nothing Ny monthly allowance is at a.,
end What am l TO dog Are you not ex-
pecting some money!"
'sNo My affairs are wound up"
| "And what is to become of usy'
| The sick man gave On agonized moan; the
| woman continued:
1--WE must pawn something"
"But what.'
Securities from 6he safe"
The broker sat up in his bed, and gurgled
in hoarse, stifed voice:
'>They do not belong to me-"
''To whom else.'
'iThe count int-usted them to me to specu-
late with on change"
"You viii return them as soon as you are
well again"
81 shall never be wei again"
"And if notl He still has enough;
sit is his property"
"And what is to become Of us?"
Convulsiye weeping was the answer, but
the woman was not satisfied with the answer
"Beggars."
"Beggars!"
81, your daughter, your childrenT'
'All of you"
"And is this rights"
"And is this right" This dreadful re-
p-oach now Kept ringing in the ears of the
sick man. "And is this right!" the woman
repeated ten times day. First she whispered
it; then she shrieked it with a sh-iil voice.
Filled with these merci.ess words was the
night, which brought 10 refreshing sllmber
TO the poor dropsy ridden man, but only terri
flying darkness. Now ard then he would
raise himself from his sick bed with lniracu-
lous strength and steal into the adjoining
room where his youngest precious one slept,
profoundly and happily; he would crawl I'D
to the bed and nestle MS prickly face close Up
to the little smooth cheeks and sob-softly.
Sometimes the child awo!1e and started in
fear, for the ugly, sick father terrified him.
Then, like 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 lacerats and torture him
with unSpeakable pain.
''Ard is this rightl"
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
II 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 were about to
take the second paper, there came letter
from the count. He wrote: II have heard
that you are i'll. Now | must admit Josef,
that you have served me most honestly, but
there is no knowing what may happen. My
secretary viii come to you tomorrow in or
Ger to remove the securities"
The woman had been reading the letter to
him
"WelIg' she asked
"They must be given to him when he
comes"
''And is this right?'
Again theSe'words It is not till noon that
the broker answers. First he lisps it to him
self
This is not right, it cannot be-" 4
In tho afternoon the brown young man
only been an apprentice The family meant
especially well by him. He was a fellow
countryman Of the hostess. The broker had
procured a situation for him, and later a
position as boollkeeper in q 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.
Nifa +o,. x,,oro ol,o - A. $1,000.
For while his eyes rested On those pres
ent; then he called his daughter to himself:
johanna, DO you want to become PauIs
wife!'
'Yesin came the firm answer.
Then again there was silence The brokers'
lids closed YEARLY, and while be was wiping
the perspiration from his brow he reflected.
Lock the 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 au inside drawer he took
the package of securities and had them
counted.
Papers to the value of $1,000 gulden!n
said the bookkeeper.
''As much to the count as penny is to u.s."
added the woman.
The secretary OF the count was received the |
next day with remark that the broker had |
gone away on a journey. Nobody knew !
where or when he would retE-n. The secre- |
tary returned several times to look for him, |
but when he heard that in reality the broker |
was in MS room on his deathbed, he came no !
more.
In his place came the officials of the Grim |
inai court. The broker was expecting them, |
i l.. L.
of the damned.
When they come, you must dissemble. |
feign Inconsistencies the wife whispered |
in his ear, and left toe house with the daugh-
ter. The dying man was left to himself. and |
feryently as he louged for il he did not loss
he heard the count very dis
tinctly as he gently and forbearingiy gave
him to understand that he had never treated |
him rs he had others; he heard him almost
bes: Josef, you are good, honest man;
give ne back nav money"
The broker bit his lips and was silent, al
though some terrible power seemed to PROMPT
him TO say: The money is i'll the ha.ds Of |
my daughters betrothed; l gave it TO him:
wished 20 steal it for my family. l regret
il; take 1t back; ! want to die an honest
naat'
In has breast honesty and the blind love
for his family fought q hot and savage bat
tie. The second trila:phed. He closed his
eyes. and not a syllable was to De forced
from him
The count was seized with sudden wrath:
Gentlemen, | want nay money III sea if
there is no way TO get at my money! Drag
ann hence! Away to prison with htmr
he could not be- taken away The official
physician certified that the broker oouid not
te trenSDorred wittou. rendanCer:ng his life. |
Investigations were made in'every direction;
the count suspected az the business men of