The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1911-06-23
BUSINESS Is BUSINESS.
But the Settlement with John Nelson
& Son was Distinctly Sentimental.

& Son was Distinctly Sentimental.
(W. II. Rose in Cleveland Plain Dealer
The affairs Of Ramsey Hale We're in very
bad shape, An unexpected financial dsas'
ter had shaken the old merchants CON
fdence In himself He realized that he
was losing his grip. He realized, too, that
he was carrying a load that man OF his
years shouldn't attempt to shoulder alone.
Things went from bad TO worse. Ramsey
kept his own counsel as he kept his books.
lie felt that there was no one about him
that he could trust with the story OF his
troubles. AT home there was no one save
his daughter Ruth, And she was only a
girl.
And then the continued worry brought
a natural result The merchant collapsed
at his desk one warm afternoon and was
carried home.
lie had fought them when they tried
to take him away lie had moaned and
wrung his hands when he was put to bed
Ruth" he had wildly called.
She was by his side, bending over him,
but he didn't know her.
A blessed Inconsistencies came upon
him and when he awoke the next morning
he was like a little child.
at may be months before he is himself
again." said the old doctor, Perhaps his
memory will never come back, He worked
his brain beyond the limit. Some great
trouble must have possessed him. Have
you any idea what il wasy
"He never confided in me-" said the
girl. sadly. There was a side of my father
that | never saw. When he crossed the
threshold of home he seemed to put away
all his cares-but lately have noticed that
he brooded at times and that he would for.
get that ! was near him
His mind is resting now, said the old
doctor I'VE can only hope that il Will
awaken refreshed and clear-although he
can never be the clever man of business
he once was
Poor father" murmured the girl cone
moment, Doctor Addison. If the trouble
that has worried my father relates to bust
ness, wouldn't il be well to keep his true
condition as quiet as possible until ] can
find out something concerning his atiairsf
IAN excellent thought said the doctor
perhaps you'd better consult one OF your
fathers old friends-a lawyer preferably.
Not yet" replied the girl. 81 want first
to see what ! can discover alone,
The old doctor looked at her and nodded
Then he put out his hand and took the
girls.
You're a fine young woman, he said.
The girl had found in her fathers breast
pocket sealed letter with her name on
the envelope. When the doctor had gone
she broke the seal and read the letter
slowly.
INV dear daughter it began: Il am
writing tins. ispausg ! fsssr ss.Aet some emer-
gency may suddenly confront YOU. Ny 'b1si-
ness affairs are much involved and seem
to have lost the power to straighten them
out. There are a dozen creditors who may |
at any moment precipitate a crash, but |
there is only one | really fear. That is the |
house Of John Nelson x Son, to whom |
owe S6J 900. The firm is hard and un.
yielding. will not give you any technical |
details but ii anything happens to me go |
to my old friend, Judge Henry Allerton.
and ask him to take charge OF everything. |
| want the creditors satisfied, although |
this will leave you very little, my dear. |
There will be some insurance, and ! know |
that your aunt Edgerton in Denver will
gladly give you a home. BE a brave girl |
my daughter, and try to think that ! al |
ways meant to do for the best. Your UNI
happy father
The girl wiped her eyes and put the
letter back in its envelope.
Poor daddy she murmured, why |
uidn he cOnlue III me. AM SO Woitf |
less. so unrellable!
She arose quickly and went to her fa- |
theirs room and consulted the nurse. There |
was no change and no probability OF any.
Then the girl told the housekeeper not |
TO expect her home until dinner. a half |
hour later she was seated at her fathers
desk in the dingy room where he had
spent SO many years. With her was the
old bookkeeper OF the house.
"lou are my fathers friend, Mr..
Trissell?"
Eyes, miss / have been with him 30
years.
He is ILL., He may not be in his office
again for several days.
81 am very sorry, miss, Is there any
thing | can dog'
"How much do you know OF my fathers
affairs, Mr. Trissell?'
"He was very close-mouthed, miss
Il want you to help me, Mr.. Trissell:
in Strengthening out my fathers papers.
Il hope | can help you, miss.
Two days steady work convinced the
girl that she needed expert help. The old
was a man OF routine and very |
slow. The girl advertised for skilled ac
countant
Vic. she r4.,,,.e1 IL; S''' ~. next
young man was waiting IN the
anteroom. Tie bowed as she paused and
looked at him. He was keen eyed Young
man of perhaps thirty.
II wish to see Mr.. Hale" he explained
ut is Miss Hale you wish to see,' she
told him. "Step into my office.
He followed her wonderingy. She point
ed to a chair.
1.-The position | have to offer is a con
fidential one" she said. "My father,
Ramsey Hale, has been stricken down by
an acute attack that entirely units him
for work ! am doing my best to straight.
en- out his business, but find that ! need
expert help. 1t is necessary to know lust
how his affairs stand as soon as possible,
VIII you undertake this work."
lie hesitated. Then he nodded
Eyes" he answered, | will undertake
it. Do you wish references
She looked at him carefully
mo" she replied. Il am sure ] can
trust you.
a will begin at once he said, and
stepped forward
All that day he was comparing, check
ing, verifying.
There were other applicants for the ex
pert's position, but Ruth Hale was glad
this very earnest young man had been the
first to apply.
At $50 he approached Ruth's desk.
1--WE have made good beginning he
said. 'Do you wish me to continue the
work"
eyes," replied Ruth, a little more hasti-
ly than she intended. Then she suddenly
smiled. "You see that ! am only an APP