The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1904-11-18
ROBERT HAMMOND,

was FAMOUS operator" in money
bonds, and other securities that were
perhaps quite as legitimate cSllater.
ais.
A cold, hard man, whose blood
might have been ice-water, and whose
hcart was only a machine to keep
his brain in working order For Ralph
was one of those workers who ate his
bread in the sweat of other men S
brows, and rather prided himself upon
the fact
He had married a simple, illiterate
woman, for her money, and as she
quietly slipped out Of life after giving
birth to a son and a daughter, leav-
ing all her property to her husband,
be was not disposed to consider his
marriage as an unwise speculation.
How the children grew up | sup
pose their good angels knew. He gave
them food and clothing and shelter,
and sent them to school. But every
year he became conscious that they
were growing to an age when it would
De impossible to ignore their exist
-c1ce. And this fact struck him not
unpleasantly one fine summer evening
when they returned together for the
long vacation.
Robert, the eldest, had become r.
really handsome fellow, and the faith
er acknowledged this the more read
lily because in appearance he
Stood beside him like his own youth.
But here the resemblance ceased. Nor
ally and mentally no two men could
be more unlike.
Lucy Hammond was a brighter,
fairer, copy of her mother; pretty,
gentle girl,
Not too bright nor good
For human natures daily food
So Ralph, coming one night to the
dull, silent house which is called
home" found there was new ele-
ment which he scarcely knew how to
manage. For though he hardly &C.
knowledged any love for his children,
he was very sensitive as to whatever
. touched his own pride and comfort;
and it gave him q new sensation Of
pleasure to consider this fine, manly
youth as his son, and the bright
pretty, girl as bond to his wis 4
and commands. ~
However, he did nothing on imp use.
He thought over all the circumstances
which might, could or would affect his
own welfare, and then resolved to
take Robert into his Office and make
Lucy the manager of home which he
re-furnished with ostentatious but
grUdging extravaganza.
At first Roberts share in the busi-
ness was confined to it's most legiti-
mate aspects, and, being apt and clev-
or, he won his way very rapidly into
his fathers favor But as he became
more familiar with the business and
found Friendship, Honor and Integ
rity only so much stock in trade bit
ter disputes occurred between them.
Not for this, however, had the elder
Hammond any idea of dissolving the
business relationship he had formed
with his son. Unwittingly to Robert,
his open countenance and free, gentle
manly manners, were useful in allur
mig that confidence which his own
crafty countenance would never have
gained.
In the second year of their alliance,
however, these disputes grew every
day more determined in character, and
Robert finally summed up all his
faults by q romantic and improvident
marriage with a girl whom old Ralph
declared in a passion of anger, was
not worth penny" For youth, beau
ty, virtue and love were not market
able assets to a man who knew no
standard but cash.
The result of this marriage was a
total enlargement between father and
son, and the erasure Of the sons name
from the business. | do not believe
the last result troubled Robert much,
for lie had always spoken in contemp-
tuous terms Of the principles on which
it was conducted. Besides that he
had made the girl he loved his wife,
and he had one thousand dollars in
hard cash, and unlimited funds in the
bank of Faith and Hope. The latter,
however, he found always below par
in the market, and ere long he was
puShed very close 10 Tue wall lnueed.
The Hope told him many promis-
ing tale, and urged him westward with
persuasions which were well second
ed by his necessities. Only one thing
kept him in New York--the face of
his pretty gentle sister; but she, with
unselfishness of true affection forgot
her own loneliness in his welfare, and
urged his departure.
Before leaving, he sought his faith
er's presence to win from him some
kind word or promise of forgiveness;