Year: 1878

uai whom fortune had not forgotten
in her distribution of the good things
of this world. He had fine fortune
magnificent dwelling, and a plump
good-tempered wife. Moreover, he
had good reputation for sanctity and
uprightness, and was an elder of the
church to which he belonged. A very
good man, and a thorough christian
old Hiram considered himself, for he
had family prayers every morning,
went to church every Sunday, and al
lowed the cook to give all the uneata-
BILE scraps of bread which remained in
the larder to any beggar who might
apply for them. A judicious parent
he considers himself, and just one,
for when his only daughter had mar
ried against his will he had cast her
OIL forever, and refused to see her
when she stood weak and trembling
at the door to tell him that her hus.
band lay upon the verge of death, and
that starvation stared them in the face


'As she has sowed 90 she must reap,
he mnttered, as he saw her turn away
hiding her grievea face in her shabby
bonnet. She might have had old
Grimes and lived in clover, and must
abide by it,


And, 80 saying, he went back to his
account books and banished his daugh.
ter from his mind as soon as might be-
|. Old Hiram Gromley was, I have
said, very wealthy, but yet chung to
trade with the utmost pertinacity.
Money getting was his life, and he
was never so happy as when making
a bargain. Among other things he
had speculated in -four, and had made
more, perhaps, in that line of business
than any other. How old Hiram and
his brothers in the trade chuckled as
the poor mans loaf decreased, and the
store of their own Golfers augmented,
is best known to themselves.


1t was at such season that Hiram
Gormley sat before his parlor fire,
basklng in its blaze and sinking gently
into an after-dinner nap. His portly
form filled the huge velvet chair, and
his own portrait looked from its gild-
ed frame upon its drowsy original
with blended dignity entirely of the
artists own invention. Mrs. Gormley
had gone out to dine, and the carriage
was to be sent at an appointed hour,
so that the old man and his portrait
were alone together in that comforta.
bic room.


They were alone at least for many
minutes. But as the silver-toned time
piece rang out the hour of seven, the
outer door was opened, and small
imam, clad in faded green velveteen
coat, entered the room with the soft
tread of stealthy cat. He was a
queer looking individual, so withered
and wrinkled that he might have re.
sembled some old goblin, and his
white hair stood out, strangely enough
upon either side of his brown forehead.
Upon his meager lower limbs he wore
great, mudstained boots, world too
wide for him, and in his hand he car
ried a cap of the same color and ma.
terial as his coat. He looked first at
old Hiram and then at his portrait
then back again to the original and
finally stepped forward and touched
him on the shoulder.


Hiram Gormley awoke with start
and springing to his feet, regarded him
with astonishment.


who are you, and what do you
want here p he asked, in manner
sufficiently imperative.


sWho am is matter of no i'm.
portance,' replied the stranger; sbut
am here on business. 1 believe you
are buying up flour?'


Il am replied old Hiram, becoming
interested, and gracious in moment
sTake seat, sir, and let me under.
stand your business


He pointed TO a chair, and the visit
or seated himself immediately, eros ss
ing his muddy boots and folding hii
elfin arms upon his bosom, as he ben
down his head and peered from under
his dropping black brows straight into
Hiram GOrmley's face.


We have -four to SELL he said.


'We?' said Hiram, interrogatively


Il and my partner, Or, more politely
speaking, my partner and l, respond
ed the little man of the firm.


I'D rather not mention names unit
I'm sure that we shall come to terms
continued the little man. But le
me tell you, Mr.. GOrmly, that such


fine chance has never been offered I,
one man before. II you accept