The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-02-01
THE POISON OF GOLD.

V.
THE POISON OF GOLD.
There was no difficulty whatever in es-
tablishin0 the identity OF the Van Deust
brothers, and no obstacles were interposed
to prevent their entering into possession
OF their fortune as speedily as the forms of
law and the time requisite for commune
cation with Holland would permit; for in
those DAYS it had not yet become a branch
of the legal business TO stir up vexatious
will contests. based upon the fictitious
/ claims of presumptive heirs. in order that
I lawyers might fleece the real inheritors.
Even before the money arrived from Hol-
/ land Peter wanted a few thousand dollars
OF 1t in the house as q tangible evidence
OF the reality of their wealth. and Mr.
Holden very cheerfully humored his
within by making him an advance OF the
/ required amount. The old man had no
idea OF investing the money, or buying
anything with it, but he loved to run his
1 fingers through the glttenng coins from.
time 10 time and listen to the melifluous
music of their climbing; TO count. and re-
/ count. and pile the yellow discs, and think
/ what he could do with them il he had a
mind to- The unhappy fact was that this
/ sudden acquisition of wealth had deyei-
/ oped a rea ly miserly disposition in the
/ elder brother. As Is very common. espe-
ciaIly among those who only acquire large
! fortunes late in life. possession begat in
him longing 10 possess. He even felt il
an injury that he had been all those years
without that money, the existence even
Of ruh Tch h. cd 4.
which, now that he cIutched it. he really
had not ths slightest use. He had never
been one at whom the tongue of scandal
/ might have wagged the reproach OF prodi-
/ gality, even in mis- youth but his ieal-
/ Ously careful economy was greater now
/ than it had ever before been.
/ Jacob proposed one day that they should
/ purchase two black broadcloth suits and
! crape-bound hats, TO be worn as mourning
I for Uncle Dietrich, but was completely
/ discounted by the look of panied surprise
! with which Peter regarded him. and the
! tone In which he replied:
Now, Jacob. would you 90 to making
ducks and brakes OF our little money in
! that way, and at YOUR tine of life ?"
! No. Jacob resigned his idea of a tribute
+ to Uncle Dietuchs memory. ami peni-
tently declared he really had no notion OF
becoming a spendthrift; and thereafter
/ he uncomplainingiy and unquestioningly
! LETT his elder brother to the sole admins
! tratIon OF their JOINT wealth.
When the bulk of their inheritance ar
] rived and was placed in the hands of Mr..
/ Holden for investment on bond and mort
/ gage in New York, that it might yield
more dollars to covetous Peters longings,
then the old mans troubles indeed began.
! When he heard OF fire he trembled TO
l. Nt.,N
gagged to the Van Deust fund that was
/ burned. When he read of a bankruptcy
he shuddered for fear that the delinquent
might have been indebted to the Van
/ Deust fund. When be had no bad news,
then his anxiety was even greater. for at
times he was capable OF thinking il posi-
! bic that worthy little Mr.. Holden might
have run away with the Van Deust fund
bodily. Ali this made him q very uneasy
and unhappy old man. Jacobs kinder
and more trustful nature gave place to
none of those anxieties, and Peter resented
his seeming Indifference to the Van Deust
fund.
Jacob" said he one day. I'VE might
live to see the fund doubled"
"Well. Peter. if il were what more good
I would il do us?"
The elder brother felt almost sick with
said that be felt so.
Thus it was that Peters temper, never g
remarkably sweet one, became so sour
that meek old Jacob grew to look upon
him with actual dread and would shun
him. or sit looking askance and timidly at
him, when they smoked together on the
porch in the evenings, In the habit but
not the content OF former days. And,
seeing this, a new suspicion entered Pc
ter's soul to plague him.
81 suppose" said lie one dav, with
grim smile. that you think because L N
the desl I'll die fret"
Now, now, Peter, NV dear Peterl I
assure you | never had such q thought"
protested Mortified Jacob.
son. it's only natural you should.
don't blame you. But I'm good for
! good many years yet. Jacob; good many
years yet"
II trust and fervently hope and pray,
brother Peter, that you may be good for
| very MANY years to come" And the ten
der-hearted old mans voice trembled. and
his eyes were moist as he spoke. "Why,"
said he, ito think of your dying. Peter,
gives me s-a-a-"
IAN idea. Ell ?"
mo, no. Peter. not at ell that. No. A
cold shudder meant; but you startled me
so couldn't think of the word After all
the many years We have lived together. a l
by ourselves, with no other companions
and hardly any other friends than each
I otherl Whv. Peter. il were 10 lose you
I'D want to die myself, rivht off,"
"Humph Not you. know what you'd
want to do heap more. And l don't
blame YOU. oh. no. It's natural for you.
| But know"
know what?"
IL know what you'd do Nth the fund II
/ was out OF the way"
Then you know much more, Peter.