The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1905-05-10
JOHN THOnAS

Br nAKY 0KAcE nALFINE.

born such; ii man get his wealth b.
his own exertions, it is quite anothe
thing"
my dear" said Mr.. Bagstock, rathe
dryly, IF you had said that you had re
solved not to marry a man solely fol
his riches, / should call it a very sen
sible decision; but, as it is. can't say
great deal for its wisdom or justice
| happen to know a number OF mos
excellent men who have the misfor
tune to be rich. as well as some OF
quite the contrary description, who
don't own a hundred dollars worth OF
property, and never will"
True, uncle and l don't deny that
there are many worthy people among
our rich men. What do say is that
the sons Of rich men are generally the
most useless and worthless portion of
the community. Just look around our
own circle, for instance, and tell me il
you can find one cursed with a rich
father, who is not utterly bankrupt in
truth energy, self-reliance; in fact,
everything that constitutes true manly
worthp'
Kate yernon's soft, dark eyes
sparkled, and the rich color in her
cheeks grew brighter as she uttered
these words.
Mr.. Bagstock smiled as he looked
upon her glowing countenance.
Unfortunately there is too much
truth in what you say, Kate. But,
though right in theory, you are wrong
in fact. John Armstrong has been
brought up to work. His father put
him in his counting-room as soon as he
left school, giving him the duties and
salary Of the lowest clerk in it; and,
though he was only promoted accord
ing merit, he worked himself up to the
position of head-bookkeeper. Mr.. Arm
strong then took him into the firm, Civ
ing him certain share of the profits
He is young man of excellent prin-
ciples.p
+ Il certainly ought to know that,
uncle" said Kate. turning her head
away, with an impatient gesture; Il
have had John Armstrong; manifold
perfections dinned into my ears ever
since can remember. l am sorry that
you have to go away at this time; but
as Cousin Jane is with me, we shall
get along very well, dare say"
Il hope that you will not only receive
him kindly. Kate, but do your best to
make his visit pleasant; if not for his
sake, out of respect to the memory of |
the father that so loved him. You know
he has never seen you. and may regard |
the idea with as little favor as you
seem to do"
On the evening of the same day on |
which the above conversation took
place, John Armstrong sat alone in his
counting-room. There was not sound |
In the warehouse, so busy and active
through the day; his clerks had all
gone home, but he still fingered,
though it was considerably past his
usual hour for leaving
He held a letter in his hand from Mr..
Bagstock, stating that his niece and
ward, Kate Vernon, had now reached
he age of eighteen and, as it had been
he wish of both his father and hers
hat their meeting should not take
place before that time he deemed it
advisable, as an act OF justice to both,
hat 1t should not be delayed further"
John Armstrong; brow wore
thoughtful and perplexed expression.
he had loved and revered his father
Ibove all human beings, and felt how
acred was his dying wish that he
would form the acquaintance Of his
riend's daughter before committing
himself elsewhere. And yet his heart
evolted at the thought of being thus
ettered in regard to step upon which
us lifelong happiness depended.
Motherless and sisterless, his heart
lad often yearned for the joy, the SYM
'athy only to be found in the compan- (
onship of loved and loving wife. but
e had been so often smiled upon by
cheming mammas and ambitious
whose only lure was the re-
ort OF his great wealth, that he had s
rown a little cynical in regard to
Tomen. He wanted to be loved for
imself alone-as what man does not? I
The rich merchant may be received ,
lady, he muttered, "but would John /
self meet with so much
avor in her sight? All, wenl we shall
ee."
"Mr. John Armstrong, I presume? 4
'et me introduce you to my cousin. Y
fiss Jane Dudley"
The stately stranger bowed pro- \
oundly, first to the fair speaker and Il
hen to her companion whose lovely a
looked still lovelier from
le brighter bushes that mantIed it as b
g fixed upon it his admiring gaze. D
Il am sorry to undeceive you" he
lid, smiling, ''but, unfortunately. J
ave no such claim upon your favor as 4
lat name should give. Unfortunately. Il
more senses than one" he added. "
with another bow to Kate. h
My name is John Thomas" he con- t,
nued. handing her a letter. Il am I