Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-10

solomon Ellwood, or ~ ncle SoI, as ne
was commonly called, was an eccentric old
gentleman. For % years he had done busi-
ness in Boston, living, except in winter, nine
miles out in the little town Of s.. He
was the founder and senior member of the
firm of Ellwood, Stoddard q Co. His re-
markable business qualifications has given
credit to the firm abroad, and hence his
whims and eccentricities were treated most
leniently by his partners, and most reveren-
TALLY by the clerks.
Uncle Sol was nearly 70, and he realized
that he was growing old. that the evening Of
life was fast approaching. He often sighed
for the retired comforts of home, but who
should take his place IN the firm was ques-
tlon often asked, but never satisfactorily an
swered. And Kate. his sweet. accomplished
daughter, who, since the death of his
wife, had been the light of his
home, the fond pride OF fathers heart,
Kate. whose intellect was only equaled by
her many virtues, could make the old
sChickering" breathe melody by her touch;
the cook would often place her arms akimbo
and wonder at Kate's skill in the prepara-
tion OF some favorite dish for her father. At
needlework and embroidery she was an
| adept, and always industrious. She had
| graduated at one of the most popular female
seminaries in New York, and in a moment
when the fear OF losing her was strong upon
| him, her father had exacted promise from
| her that she would never marry without his
| full consent and approval.
| For several years Uncle Sol had devoted
much time and study to the game Of
| draughts This was one of his eccentricities.
He had mathematical mind, and found in
this deep game sufficient ground for philoso-
phizing. Kate, to please her father, had
learned to be an accomplished draughts
| player, usually drawing and occasionly win
| ming with her father. or all the village
players she was his most formidable oppon-
| emit True, young Eyeleth sometimes drew,
| but never won.
Hinklev Eyeleth was the son Of Judge
| Eveleth, and recently admitted to the bar.
His father was rich, and had given his son
a postgraduate course at Yale, afterward
| finishing at the Boston Law School. Hink-
| ley was a young man OF some ability, and
his father was we'll known throughout the
| Commonwealth as a sound and able ex-
| pounder of Jurisprudence. A month pre-
vious be had proposed to Kate, and the re-
suit was explicit enough to be unsatis-
| factory.
i Kate liked him we'll enough-he had been
her playfellow in childhood-and when she
consulted her father on what had occurred,
he said: MY dear child, there is not a
| Young lady in s. who would not jump
| at such an offer; but / sometimes fear that
the stories of Hinkley's dissipation at col
lege are too true. 1 am constrained to ad-
NIT his ability, by the scientific manner in
which he manipulates his pieces at draughts
/ 10 az -
| That evening Kate, like the wise girl she
was, wrote to Hinkley and informed him
she was unprepared to give a decided
answer, and the matter, for the present,
might remain unsettled.
A day or two after this interview with his
| daughter, Solomon Elwood sat in his Office
on Broad street, Boston, carefully coming
his ledger when knock was heard at the
door, and in response to "Come in" 8
Young man entered. His dress denoted
long usage, but neatness aud care;
his boot was marred by hole
| in the side, but it was polished brightly.
Taking off his hat he said politely: II hope
| L do not intrude, sir?' "No intrusion,
Young man." said Uncle Sol with his Gus
tomary urbanlty. 'Be seated" my name
is Forest Worthington, sir, and called in
| to answer an advertisement which noticed
! in this mornings Herald" "Yes, yes," said
the old gentleman, 1--WE advertised for a
bookkeeper; where do you reside?" "In
| Lewiston, Me-" "And from what institu-
tion did you receive your knowledge OF
bookkeeping?" queried the old merchant.
"From Prof. G. Boardman Smiths Com
mercial College, in nv native city"
"HumpI have heard of him; he is fair
checker player, is he not, this Professor"
"He is considered so, 1 believe" IT have
met him." Across the board?' inquired
Mr.. Worthington, quickly. Uncle Sol
| nodded.
"And may enquire the result?"
| 30, certainly" returned the old man,
carelessly; tone for the Professor. three for
me and eight draws. But probably you are
not especially interested in Sweet Dameth, ,
| although wish you were, for no better eri-
terion of young mans ability exists. Mr..
| Stoddard," said the senior member, as his
partner was at that moment passing the
door, "have you filled Mr.. Mason's place
| yet?"
"I think have, sir. 1 received a letter
from my nephew this morning, and I in
formed him he could have the place."
Mr.. Elwood bowed and said VERY well, I"
| and Mr. Stoddard passed on. Forest Worth
| ington rose to go. Ash moved toward the
door he said: II presume there is no other
place in your establishment in which could
earn mvseli and-widowed mother-an hon.
est livelihood?"
Before he could receive an answer the
office door opened and boy entered. "Mr.
Elwood, here is the board you ordered made
at my fathers shop" handing him beauti-
full draught board of the regulation size and
composed OF alternate squares OF ebony and
| whitewood. "Father said he hoped you
would excuse him for not having it done
sooner, but work has been very pressing"
said the boy, as he quilted the Office, leaving
the two former occupants admiring the board
"Sir," said Forest Worthington, with his
eyes glistening brightly and crimson spot
burning on either cheek, II trust you will
\ pardon me, but should feel honored were
| to have the pleasure OF being one of the
parties to dedicate that beautiful board"
"What do you play?" asked the aston
lshed owner of the board.
| "But iairly, sir.
| 'iBe seated, young man." said Uncle Sol,
| at the same time drawing forth small
pasteboard box and emptying its contents Of
| "a pieces on the board,
| Uncle Sol chose the black men, and
played IL to 15 The young man formed the
AYRSHIRE Lassie." Silence reigned until
| the twenty-eighth move. when the old gen.
| tleman said, THAT last move of yours loses;
your play up to that point is splendid-but
| I could not expect you to play the great
| Wylle's game without an error; 81 to 27 is
your correct move, it you wish to retract."
| Forest, somewhat surprised at the old
gentleman's candor, said: II learned to
| play strictly in accordance with the rules,
and, besides, you will pardon me il 1