The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1900-04-24
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On his fiftieth birthday George Bel
mont acknowledged to himself that he
was no longer a young man. The
suspicion that his youth lay behind him
had been creeping into his consciousness
for several years, but he never until the
morning which completed for him fifty
full years Of existence, allowed his con-
sciousness to communicate It's suspi-
cions to his intellect.
Mr.. Belmont wished to remain young,
for two reasons. His parents had been
simple country people, and he had lived
quietly at home until he was twenty
five years old. Then his father died and
the whole village fairly gasped with
astonishment at the fortune he was
found to have accumulated. Mrs. Bel
mont had then been dead some time
and the entire estate went to the only
son, George, who Immediately left his
native town, went to the city and began
to study law. For the first time In
his life he had every taste gratifled, and
little wonder that the next twenty-five
years of his life flew away and found
him still young in spite Of their flight.
The other reason was his nephew.
When Albert Belmont, fifteen years
before, had come to live with his uncle,
George, that relative determined to give
to the boy, then ten years Of age,
everything that his own youth had lack
ed. He was sent to the best schools,
then to college and then to law school.
He received every sort Of indulgence. No
questions were asked in regard to his
life and he had all the money he wanted
to spend. In spite of such a bringing up
-. a. 1~n av.A
young man. A large amount Of good
sense had kept all things in focus for
him, and at the age Of twenty-five he
was one Of the rising young lawyers Of
the city. His uncle enjoyed his society
4nore than that Of any person he knew,
and Notwithstanding the increasing
number of social engagements made by
the younger man, they were a great deal
together. George Belmont did not want
to grow too old to be his nephew's COM
panion.
II fell young enough" he said to
himself, as he left the house that morn
ing, "but a man in his f1fties Is no
longer a young man. Albert Is right
when he tells me that ought to marry
and settle down. But who in the world
shall 1 marry? / don't want an old
person and no young person would
want me-"
He entered the park, which lay be-
tween his house and his Office. and as
the day was beautiful and he in a re-
Elective mood he sat down on one of the
benches which were placed at intervals
along the gravel path and continued
his reverie.
"They say that girls nowadays care
more for the money than for love. If
that is true might pick out one that I
know and make sort Of bargain with
her." He ran over in his mind the few
young women that he knew and found
not one with whom he cared to bargain.
'If am to wait until I fall in love
I'm afraid never will marry at all, for
il I am too old for anything I surely
am for that. And as the idea of mar
riage without love has always been
distasteful to me I am very much afraid
will never marry, anyway"
He was interrupted at this point by a
small boy, who planted himself in front
2H him and said, without a shade of the
shyness common to children:
Let me have your cane?"
What do you want my cane for?"
Mr.. Belmont inquired.
II haven't got my shovel and I want
to dig" replied the child.
He was an attractive child and Mr..
Belmont gave him the cane and watched
him as he began to dig into the gravel
with 1t.
Aren't you rather a small boy to he
running about alone?" He always felt
in the presence Of children as great a
necessity for making conversation as
with grown people.
"Well, / wasn't alone. But Aunt Helen
stayed SO long long in store that
came out and came here where 1t look
ed SO NICE"
'Oh, Tommy, you naughty boy!" cried
a fresh young voice. i've been looking
everywhere for you.'
A. pretty young woman first shook
then kissed the runaway.
"And where did you get this cane?
she asked.
Mr.. Belmont raised his hat and said
'he borrowed 1t from me as he had left
his proper tools at home"
THAT was very kind Of you," replied
the girl. THANK the gentleman, Tom
my, and give him his cane. We must
go home"
- don't want to go home; I want tc
stay here and finish this ditch"
mo, you must come now." said his
aunt, firmly.
PBut Tommy was firmer still.
II wont!" he said. and renewed hi:
Iabors with the cane.
"Oh, dear" said the girl, flushing al
her outraged authority, and looking
helplessly at Mr.. Belmont. isn't HI
awful?"
Better let him finish the ditch sug
gested Mr.. Belmont, and the girl sa
down on the bench, as though there wal
nothing else she could do.
This was the beginning of pleasant
acquaintance to Mr.. Belmnot. He me
Tommy and his aunt nearly ever!
Z morning in the park, and often stop
ped to exchange few words with th'
young woman. Occupied as was hi
mind with the idea Of matrimony, 4
...a. .,1.t lor.r hafora ha datarpnined tha