Beyond what has already been written, there is not much, in the
histories of those whom we have introduced, to be told, except
briefly, worthy the reader's interested attention.
Martin, the old accomplice of Jasper, finding his power over that
individual gone, and failing in the card he played against Claire's
nice sense of honour and integrity of purpose, now turned, like an
ill-natured, hungry cur, and showed his teeth to the man through whose
advice he had so long been able to extort money from Jasper. He felt
the less compunction in so doing, from the fact that Grind, angry with
him for having been the agent of Jasper's final destruction, which
involved him in a severe loss, had expressed himself in no measured
terms--had, in fact, lashed him with most bitter and opprobrious
words.
Several times, during the progress of events briefly stated in the
concluding portions of the last chapter, Martin had, in his frequent
visits to the lawyer, hinted, more or less remotely, at his great need
of money. But to these intimations, Grind never gave the slightest
response. At last the man said boldly--
"Mr. Grind, you must help me to a little money." This was directly
after the failure of Jasper.
"I cannot do it," was the unequivocal reply. "You have, by your
miserable vindictiveness, ruined Jasper, after having subsisted on
him for years--base return for all you owe him--and, in doing so, half
destroyed me. You have killed the goose that laid the golden egg, and
there is no one but yourself to thank for this folly."
"You must help me, Mr. Grind," said Martin, his brows knitting,
and the muscles of his lips growing rigid. "You had a hand in that
business as well as Jasper; you took a big slice, if he did keep
the major part of the loaf; and so I have a right to ask some slight
return for important service rendered."
"What! This to me!" exclaimed Grind, roused to instant excitement.
"This to you," was the cool, deliberate answer.
"You have mistaken your man," returned the lawyer, now beginning to
comprehend Martin more thoroughly. "I understand my whole relation to
this affair too well to be moved by any attempt at extortion which
you can make. But I can tell you a little secret, which it may be
interesting for you to know."
"What is it?" growled the man.
"Why, that I hold the power to give you a term in the State's prison,
whenever I may happen to feel inclined that way."
"Indeed!" Martin spoke with a cold, defiant sneer.
"I am uttering no vague threat. From the beginning, I have kept this
trap over you, ready to spring, if need be, at a moment's warning."
"I suppose you thought me a poor fool, did you not?" said Martin as
coldly and contemptuously as before. "But you were mistaken. I have
not been altogether willing to trust myself in your hands, without
good advice from a limb of the law quite as shrewd as yourself."
"What do you mean?" exclaimed Grind, somewhat startled by so
unexpected a declaration.
"Plainly," was answered, "while I took your advice as to the surest
way to act upon Jasper, I consulted another as to the means of
protecting myself from you, if matters ever came to a pinch."
"Oh! Preposterous!" Grind forced a laugh. "That's only an
afterthought."
"Is it. Hark!" Martin bent close to his ear, and uttered a few words
in an undertone. Grind started as if stung by a serpent.
"Wretch!"
"It is useless to call ill names, my friend. I have you in my power;
and I mean to keep you there. But I shall not be very hard on you. So,
don't look so awfully cut down."
For once the scheming, unscrupulous lawyer found himself outwitted.
His tool had proved too sharp for him. Without a doubt he was in his
power to an extent by no means agreeable to contemplate. Grind now saw
that conciliation was far better than antagonism.
When Martin retired from the lawyer's office, he had in his pocket a
check for two hundred dollars, while behind him was left his solemn
pledge to leave the city for New Orleans the next day. The pledge,
when given, he did not intend to keep; and it was not kept, as Grind
soon afterward learned, to his sorrow. A drunkard and a gambler, it
did not take Martin long to see once more the bottom of his purse. Not
until this occurred did he trouble the lawyer again. Then he startled
him with a second visit, and, after a few sharp words, came off with
another check, though for a less amount.
And for years, leech-like, Martin, sinking lower and lower all the
time, continued his adhesion to the lawyer, abstracting continually,
but in gradually diminishing sums, the money needed for natural life
and sensual indulgence, until often his demands went not above a
dollar. Grind, reluctantly as he yielded to these demands, believed it
wiser to pay them than to meet the exposure Martin had it in his
power to make. And so it went on, until, one day, to his inexpressible
relief, Grind read in the morning papers an account of the sudden and
violent death of his enemy. His sleep was sounder on the night that
followed than it had been for a long, long time.
Of Edward Claire, and his happy family--not happy merely from an
improved external condition, for the foundation of their happiness was
laid in a deeper ground--we have not much to relate.
When Claire brought to Fanny the title-deeds of the property which he
had recovered from Jasper, she pushed them back upon him, saying, as
she did so--
"Keep them, father--keep them. All is yours."
"No, my dear child," replied Claire, seriously, yet with tenderness
and emotion, "all is not mine. All is yours. This property, through
a wise Providence, has come into your possession. I have no right to
it."
"If it is mine, father," said Fanny, "have I not a right to do with it
what I please?"
"In a certain sense you have."
"Then I give it all to you--you, my more than father!"
"For such a noble tender, my dear child, I thank you in the very
inmost of my heart. But I cannot accept of it, Fanny."
"Why not, father? Why not? You have bestowed on me more than wealth
could buy! I know something of what you have borne and suffered for
me. Your health, now impaired, was broken for me. Oh, my father! can
I ever forget that? Can I ever repay you all I owe? Were the world's
wealth mine, it should be yours."
Overcome by her feelings, Fanny wept for some time on the breast of
him she knew only as her father; and there the interview closed for
the time.
Soon after it was renewed; and the occasion of this was an
advantageous business offer made to Claire by Mr. Melleville, if he
could bring in a capital of twelve thousand dollars. Two of the houses
received from Jasper, with some stocks, were sold to furnish this
capital, and Claire, after his long struggle, found himself in a
safe and moderately profitable business; and, what was more, with a
contented and thankful spirit. Of what treasures was he possessed?
Treasures of affection, such as no money could buy; and, above all,
the wealth of an approving conscience.
Mrs. Claire--happy wife and mother!--how large too was her wealth.
From the beginning she had possessed the riches which have no
wings--spiritual riches, that depend on no worldly changes; laid up in
the heaven of her pure mind, where moth could not corrupt, nor thieves
break through and steal. The better worldly fortune that now came
added to her happiness, because it afforded the means of giving to
their children higher advantages, and procured for them many blessings
and comforts to which they were hitherto strangers.
Five years, passed under an almost cloudless sky, succeeded, and
then the sweet home circle was broken by the withdrawal of one whose
presence made perpetual sunshine. One so good, so lovely, so fitted
in every way to form the centre of another home circle as Fanny Elder,
could hardly remain unwooed or unwon. Happily, in leaving the paternal
haven, her life-boat was launched on no uncertain sea. The character
of her husband was based on those sound, religious principles, which
regard justice to man as the expression of love to God.
A few weeks after the husband of Fanny had taken his lovely young wife
to his own home, Claire waited upon him for the purpose of making a
formal transfer of his wife's property.
"There are four houses," said Claire, in describing the property;
"besides twelve thousand dollars which I have in my business. A
portion of this latter I will pay over; on the balance, while it
remains"--
"Mr. Claire," returned the young man, interrupting him, "the house you
now live in, Fanny says, is your property--also the capital in your
business."
"No--no--no. This is not so. I do not want, and I will not keep a
dollar of her patrimony."
"You are entitled to every thing, in good right," said the young man,
smiling. "But we will consent to take one-half as a good start in
life."
"But, my dear sir"--
We will not, however, record the arguments, affirmations,
protestations, etc., made by each party in this contention, but drop
the curtain, and leave the reader to infer the sequel. He cannot go
very far wide of the truth.
THE END.
STEREOTYPED BY L. JOHNSON AND CO.
PHILADELPHIA.
J.W. BRADLEY,
48 NORTH FOURTH ST., PHILADELPHIA; AND
L.P. CROWN & CO.,
61 CORNHILL, BOSTON,
PUBLISH THE FOLLOWING
WORKS BY JOHN FROST, LL.D.
* * * * *
THRILLING ADVENTURES AMONG THE INDIANS.
Comprising the most remarkable Personal Narratives of events in
the early INDIAN WARS, as well as of Incidents in the recent Indian
Hostilities in Mexico and Texas. Illustrated with over 300 Engravings,
from designs by W. CROOME, and other distinguished artists.
NOTICES OF THE PRESS.
"The matter contained in this handsome volume, is as well
calculated to give a correct idea of the character of the
Indians, and their modes of life, as that of any book ever
published. All that gives a charm to romance may be found in
the narrative contained in this work, but all of them possess
the never-failing attractions of truth. The sufferings of
numerous captives are also detailed, together with their
contrivances of escape from their savage captors. The
illustrations, by the well-known W. Croome, are excellent in
design and execution, and the printing and binding of the work
are fine specimens of each art."
GREAT EVENTS IN MODERN HISTORY:
Comprising the MOST REMARKABLE DISCOVERIES, CONQUESTS, REVOLUTIONS,
GREAT BATTLES, and other Thrilling Incidents, chiefly in Europe and
America, from the commencement of the Sixteenth Century to the present
time. Embellished with over 600 Engravings, by W. CROOME, and other
eminent artists. The following are extracts from notices of the press
received by the Publisher.
NOTICES OF THE PRESS.
"We have here, within the compass of eight hundred pages, the
history of those events of modern history, which have been
'big with mighty consequences,' and with which, therefore, all
men should become acquainted. Beginning with the discovery
of America, by Columbus--that new starting-point of
civilization--the work proceeds through the history of the
various European nations, culling those great periods when,
either by wars or revolutions, each nation began to occupy
a conspicuous place in the general estimation of men, and to
make its influence felt by those without its limits. The
late revolutions in Europe, the Mexican war, and the gold
discoveries in California, are rapidly and vividly sketched.
The illustrations, principally from designs by Croome, are
numerous, well executed, serving to impress the striking
scenes and characters of history upon the tablet of memory.
The whole work, in design and execution, reflects great credit
upon all concerned in its production."
J.W. BRADLEY,
No. 48 NORTH FOURTH STREET, PHILADELPHIA;
AND L.P. CROWN & CO.,
61 CORNHILL, BOSTON,
PUBLISH THE FOLLOWING WORKS BY T.S. ARTHUR.
* * * * *
LIGHTS AND SHADOWS OF REAL LIFE, with an autobiography and portrait of
the author, over 600 pages octavo, with fine tinted engravings.
NOTICES OF THE PRESS.
In this volume may be found a "moral suasion," which cannot
but effect for good all who read. The mechanical execution of
the work is very beautiful throughout.--_New Haven Palladium_.
It is by far the most valuable book ever published of his
works, inasmuch as it is enriched with a very interesting,
though brief autobiography.--_American Courier_.
No family library is complete without a copy of this
book--_Scott's Weekly Paper_.
No better or worthier present could be made to the young,
no offering more pure, charitable, and practicable, could be
tendered to those who are interested in the truly benevolent
reforms of the day.--_Godey's Lady's Book_.
The paper, the engravings, the binding, and the literary
contents, are all calculated to make it a favourite.--_Penn.
Inquirer_.
This volume cannot be too highly recommended.--_N.Y. Tribune_.
More good has been effected, than by any other single medium
that we know of.--_N.Y. Sun_.
The work should be upon the centre-table of every parent in
the land.--_National Temperance Magazine_.
A single story is worth the price charged for the
book.--_Union, Newburyport, Mass_.
ARTHUR'S SKETCHES OF LIFE AND CHARACTER, an octavo volume of over 400
pages, beautifully illustrated, and bound in the best English muslin,
gilt.
NOTICES OF THE PRESS.
The present volume, containing more than four hundred
finely-printed octavo pages, is illustrated by spirited
engravings, and made particularly valuable to those who
like to "see the face of him they talk withal," by a correct
likeness of the author, finely engraved on steel.--_Neal's
Gazette_.
In the princely mansions of the Atlantic merchants, and in
the rude log cabins of the backwoodsman, the name of Arthur
is equally known and cherished as the friend of
virtue.--_Graham's Magazine_.
We would not exchange our copy of these sketches, with
its story of "The Methodist Preacher," for any one of
the gilt-edged and embossed annuals which we have yet
seen.--_Lady's National Magazine_.
The first story in the volume, entitled, "The Methodist
Preacher, or Lights and Shadows in the Life of an Itinerant,"
is alone worth the price of the work.--_Evening Bulletin_.
It is emphatically a splendid work.--_Middletown Whig_.
Its worth and cheapness should place it in every person's
hands who desire to read an interesting book.--_Odd Fellow,
Boonsboro_.
"The Methodist Preacher," "Seed Time and Harvest," "Dyed in
the Wool," are full of truth, as well as instruction, and any
one of them is worth the whole price of the volume.--_Lowell
Daystar, Rev. D.C. Eddy, Editor_.
There is a fascination about these sketches which so
powerfully interests the reader, that few who commence one
of them will part with it till it is concluded; and they will
bear reading repeatedly.--_Norfolk and Portsmouth Herald_.
Those who have not perused these model stories have a
rich feast in waiting, and we shall be happy if we can
be instrumental in pointing them to it.--_Family Visitor,
Madison, Geo_.
No library for family reading should be considered complete
without this volume, which is as lively and entertaining in
its character, as it is salutary in its influence.--_N.Y.
Tribune_.
The work is beautifully illustrated. Those who are at all
acquainted with Arthur's writings need hardly be told that the
present work is a prize to whoever possess it.--_N.Y. Sun_.
We know no better book for the table of any family, whether
regarded for its neat exterior or valuable contents.--_Vox
Populi, Low_.
The name of the author is in itself a sufficient
recommendation of the work.--_Lawrence Sentinel_.
T.S. Arthur is one of the best literary writers of the
age.--_Watchman, Circleville, Ohio_.
The name alone of the author is a sufficient guaranty to the
reading public of its surpassing merit.--_The Argus, Gallatin,
Miss_.
Probably he has not written a line which, dying, he could wish
to erase.--_Parkersburg (Va.) Gazette_.
THE WAY TO PROSPER, AND OTHER TALES,
12mo, over 200 pages, with six illustrations.
NOTICES OF THE PRESS.
This is one of Mr. Arthur's best books. His object, and he
always has in view a noble one, is to recommend family union,
a firm adherence to the law which requires us to respect the
holy tie of family union, which requires brother to assist
brother, and sister, sister. By means of a lively and pleasing
narrative, he shows that this principle is not only right, but
politic, and that the law of family unions is really the true
way to prosper. We commend the volume to our readers as one
of the best and most profitable of the many useful works which
have been produced by the same accomplished writer.--_Godey's
Lady's Book_.
This is the title of a small volume published by Mr. J.W.
Bradley, of this city. It is from the pen of Mr. T.S.
Arthur--the story of two families, one of which prospers by
the union of good-will which prevails among the brothers,
and leads them always to aid each other in their worldly
undertakings; while the other goes to rack and ruin, because
the brothers always act upon the maxim, "Every one for
himself." The moral is excellent, and cannot be too earnestly
and widely inculcated.
Mr. Bradley has produced this little work in very handsome
style, with original embellishments from the fertile pencil of
Mr. Croome.--_Scotts Weekly_.
GOLDEN GRAINS FROM LIFE'S HARVEST FIELD,
bound in full gilt, with a beautiful mezzotint engraving, 12mo, 240
pages.
NOTICES OF THE PRESS.
It is not too much to say, that the Golden Grains here
presented to the reader, are such as will be productive of a
far greater amount of human happiness than those, in search of
which, so many are willing to risk domestic peace, health, and
even life itself, in a distant and inhospitable region.
These narratives, like all of those which proceed from the
same able pen, are remarkable not only for their entertaining
and lively pictures of actual life, but for their admirable
moral tendency.
It is printed in excellent style, and embellished with a
mezzotint engraving. We cordially recommend it to the favour
of our readers.--_Godey's Lady's Magazine_.
TRUE RICHES; or, WEALTH WITHOUT WINGS,
12mo, 210 pages, with a fine mezzotint Frontispiece.
NOTICES OF THE PRESS.
This volume is written by T.S. Arthur, the most popular of all
our American writers on domestic subjects. His intention is to
direct the reader to the real riches of life, the wealth which
cannot be taken away by the adverse events of fortune. The
true wisdom of life, he shows us, is to place our fortune
in ourselves, to make our own minds rich in intellectual
treasures, and our hearts true to the legitimate purposes and
ends of life. When the doctrine of this little volume becomes
universally prevalent, a new era of happiness will dawn upon
mankind.--_Godey's Lady's Book_.
Mr. Arthur, in this volume, impresses upon his readers the
importance of laying up treasures in the really profitable
way--moral and intellectual treasures, which, in all the
storms of ill-fortune, never leave their possessor without
ample resources. The world acknowledges the truth of his
moral, but often forgets to reduce it to practice. It
therefore, becomes the duty of the world's moral teachers, of
which Mr. Arthur is one of the most successful, to impress the
truth by a well-written narrative.--_Scott's Weekly_.
[Illustration: A Home Scene]