Rensselaer Union, Volume 1, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 July 1869 — Selected Miscellany. [ARTICLE]

Selected Miscellany.

MY GRANDFATHER’S WATCH. 1. I had been lets than three months in New York,, and if I was not actually already In lo? 8 T was quite ready to affirm as much, If a fitting (.session should be banker’s daughter. Fortune and’ my aunt's respectability had even so far aided felt myself, at ’liberty, with a nWwwifa courage,' to call 6h her even ai her own lordly home. ton , my wardrobe revealed the unpleasant fact ptesen* supplies would hardly *r ray me in keeping with what might there be expected. Salomon could have beaten mtfb&rtfy. So eould tie lilies of almost any valley. c My Render salary as yet offered me no i»airaksn(H would it for another month I was at my wit’s end, or thereabouts, whan an idea atturfc me. The (Jhersons wire always'fertilfe in ideas, and was not L Richard, the heir of all the Chersons V sily in its swollen fob? Now this chronometer was of the an cient style; made ina day when the precious metals feefafttfhdve been of no ac count Whatever. It was a sort of gold tnia, Wft fnlqlpieie bidden *wa\ iu the heart! of it,’ Small it may be for a gold mine, but decidedly large for a watch. It wait one of those watches which imparl an all or antique aristocracy to old gentlemen with good clothes, and affected by UWHfitoAhMMne reason that the “shabgemebl* families purchase oily fine ti by do means; but I SuSfWa •tdlatend; i oouid redeem it at any time. Stine ones lie fexnjained to me the meahinnpf “ threat golden balls together,”, and v™rt hnCtukfl out that evening to arms of the old Xhey. were conspicuously large and IMpit <sM*-tlfe door to which they attracted me, but the musty old gentleman in a Auare took my gold mine in his fat and dirty fingers, did not realize tqjrtieqlqf f Lombard. From the ap pearaiwedf the.crowded shelves around te.3tesr, iansEKsss.s .JjWnsrapm I hrt».T«r sect below. Sorely he was a social Jjf»4 goimsehore upon the shoals, of. New *fSrffjW£f Describe them? No.ftfW •asfßStM;tasWL;».S': Mh»as:f.rr , Wf{'fn!'. a 't k r p VBnly five dollars? Why, it is worth «4ttVanf fcato at le&t ten I ” “ ‘ Musht’ is a pig vord, my tear. I gives y Th#blrri face was very pale, and her WlSMoeed with an eipreeaiou almost of agony, as she qjghed her final assent to ,tl«f*i*#unt of the proposed loan. Her ticket was quickly made out, and I could ftml’ rrrf- **•— A to go out with amt Sd the money grasped tightly in her litas; muetibß.SQme wav.” ■ * , tribe it UK’ ft»*; ; A few moments’ converaatiea bavfoff

forth* r enlightened me at to tfe meaning of “my uncle” th*Lomb*rd,*r took my ticket and my/foportWAleAVlng the chain with him,and Jji,that. I was to ascertain extent, a wise Uherson. I must have been five minutes about this , with hir face unconscious!# turned toward its almost ghastly radiance, the fair young iady of the brooch, and I could distinctly good impulses, is ever inclined to benevolence, end with, a sudden end reckless forgetfulness of Miss De Silver, gnd of her father the banker, I turned toward the pale unknown and said, with hardly my customary ease of manner, “ Here is five dollars, Miss. I saw you in the shop.” There was a sudden start, and a painful flush In the pale cheek, bat my voice and manner were too respectful to admit a suspicion of intentional offense, and I added, quickly, II You can pay me whenever yon choose —interest, too, if you want to. “ But you are a stranger.” “So I hope is old Moses What’s-hto-name over there.” “ Ah, Tsaw you there! But then, yoq too are poor, and J can not consent to rob yon.”

“ No; I’m not poor. I'm only a fool, that’s aIL . Please take the money. I know you want it If yon don’t take it ‘you will be a bigger fpoUhan I am.” Almost a smile struggle with the keen pain in her Nee, but the story of her trouble seemed fairly forced from her lips—and they were pretty if they mere thin. It was nothing sensational—a sick mother, slew pay /or work done, rent due, hard landlord adjust ah everyday and commonplace sort of an affair. It'did not sound, very commonplace, though, as ahe told it, and—well, I crushed the ive-dollar bill into her little hand, and ran at the Congressmen did at Manassas, forgetting that by so doing I destroyed ail prospects of ever being repaid. I was anxious to find a broker’s office, however, and my watch felt heavier without its chain than it ever did with, though I must say that my heart not only felt light but warm. A little investigation made me decide to wait until the following morning, and my next attempt at the employment of bollatferals Iras made by broad daylight, with my brain cool, and clear of everJitottffbatfMfirDe Silver. The office over which I found the kind of sign described by “In/ uncle ” was eminently respectable, and fronted on the busiest part of Broadway. It was even elegantly fomlahed, and If that was any evidence of its character, nothing could have helped it bettor than the aristocratic air of the elegant youth who so politely greeted me as I entered. No need, cer tainly, of any quqlmiab feeling at having to do with such a gentleman as Mr. De Roos, the “ Diamond: broker.” “Rather old-fashioned watch, but the cases are heavy. Seventy-fire dollars? Let me see I” The cases were balanced for a moment daintily in his Jeweled fingers, and the works scanned somewhat disdainfully. “Seventy-five? Yes, I guess it will bear that. Thirty days only ? Longer it you want it. Well, all right. Nice day, Isn’t itr*

Entries wers made in a book or two, Inclosed in an envelope; my money was was attained without the slightest ripple of any thing disagreeable, unless It Was the halt-laughing insinuation that my im pecuniosity was the consequence of recent bacchanalian-excesses: p; ~fc*T HTr~ That, however, I took in good part, for I now felt sure of appearing in proper style at the De BUvfr mansion. My thoughts ran Wholly ott sfipslel, and the probable effect to thereby. I must say that when my new array did come home I looked remarkably well in k, and, of coarse, I pat it at once hi aervtoe. But notwithstanding my nearer approach to Solomon or the lilies, I felt more nervousness on the De Silver door-step than even under the dangling balls of the coed vestibule fumbling for a card, I could not help overbearing a suppressed convermgtqn Whißh toemjdlo M golng forward at the lower end es the hail “ Indeed, Miss De Silver, I would not have asked, only we do need it so very ““Pshaw, Miss Payne I That’s always the story. I won’t be angry, though, zr'te, rr r Tr course yon Will throw off something for prompt payment?” “ Ob, Miss De Silver I ” “Well, well—somebody’s oome, and somehow I was quite slow and clnmsy about finding that card—who should come out through the hall toward me bnt my fair acquaintance of thafive-dollar loan? If I did not blush she did; and right before Urn astounded flunky she reached out her hand for the bit of pasteboard which I had just discovered, saying, in a quick, curt tone of voice. “ Your card, Blr, please I” , She was gone, after she got it, like a figure in a dream, and I was ushered into the drawing-room, staggering under a vague feeling that there were three balls on my head, or that somebody had asked me what time It was.

There was certainly nothing like flattery —hardly a lklr appearance of appreciation—in the manner of my reception when the banker’* heireu at laataailed into the room. I oonkl not help wondering if I should ever dare to call that stately Creature “ Matilda.” Still. I made the beet of my conversational powers, and was realty making some headway when, to my unutterable dismay, the slldingslass5 lass which ooncealed an inner parlor was rewn gently back in its noiseless grooves, and the faultlessly dressed apparition of the elegant "diamond broker” came gliding over the carpet "to present his adtattx to Miss De Silver." Certainly the color did come to my fcee, but the exoellent young man relieved ms- in the kindest manner. Nothing could be more cordial or friendly than his recognition. “ Ah, you know each other, then t It was the voioe of Mtas De Silvwr and there was a tremor to it which Sailed my attention to the fact that if I had blushed she had not-on the oonttary, Quite the reverse. • " Oh, certainly; everybody knows Mr. Cherson. Clad to meet him. Opera to-

HftW I thanked the tact of De Rooa in thus giving me an opportunity 16 dut my call short and find my way inw the street I I went in his company, of course: amj certainly J eould not misunderstand the hearty cordiality with which we were both invited to call again. Once in the street, however, De Roos .laughed a silvery, sarcastic laugh. ,f I see, mv dear fellow, you understand business.).- Rather think you have put your foot in it, hey ?” “I should rather say I bad.” said I, though not exactly comprehending how. “ Confound my stupid blushes I” “ I should say so; but then there’s no harm done. Her paleness was as unlucky as your color. You’re a man of honor though, and you’ll keep mum ?” t “ Mum as the grave. Do yon do muoh of that kind of business ? I shouldn’t have thought it Just there.” My venture in this remark was a good one, for it implied infinitely more knowledge of the world than I possessed. “ We’ve a perfect run of up-town trade,” replied De Ross; “ and they’re no worse than lots of other women whose husbapdt and fathers draw their purse strings a trifle close. They’re fixing for a party Just now, and ir the diamonds won’t go far enough I guess the carriage will have to be mended/’

“Idon’t take. Can’t you do the car riages?” said L “Oh no; that’s in the amUonotr line. I reckon they’ve never ipouted anv furniture, and maybe not the carriage. The old lady owns her jewels and furniture, etc., in her own right; only it wouldn’t do to let the old man know what she does, yon know. Sometimes the auctioneers are awkward about leaving securities on store in the house, too, and that’s bad where it won’t do to move it.” “ I see. Mow do they take their interJWM” “Oh, only the legal, you know; but then there’s commissions and a whole dictionary of charges. Good ton to fifteen per month.” “ Profitable, I should say. I never knew about that. Reckon I’m dished Mere now, any way.” “ Not by no manner of means I Safe for a perpetual invite as lam myself. CouldnH afford to make an enemy of yon—don’t you see ?” “ Do you go there often ?” “Not very. This party, any how, for the old man’s away, and it’s bound to be a tip-top affair. Yoa’U be there, of oourse?” “ If I get my cards in time.” “ Oh, no star of that. Let’s go to Delmonico’a.” I went, and certainly did learn a good deal that evening Snch men as De Root are capital instructors, and he Shemed fairly to have “taken” to mb.

111. My card for the grand De Stives party came quite as promptly as the diamond broker had predicted; but before the arrival of that auspicious occasion I received a neat little note inclosing a five dollar bill, and thanking me, in terms of most ladylike and sincere gratitude, for the opportune benevolence which had prompted my Quixotic load. The note was signed plainly, “ Clara Payne.” The circumstance gave me no pain whatever, bnt brought vividly to my memory the conversation which I had involuntarily overheard. The party was every way worthy of the efforts and sacrifices of which I was the brilliant and successful fruition. I met De Roos there, and at a certain pause in the rush and whirl of the festivities something prompted me to whisper him: “ Not much falling off in the diamonds of the family. : Ou my word, they look at wsll as the reM” And he replied i “We have-to be up to that, my dear fellow—trick of the trade, you know, wouldn’t do to be detected.” And then he whirled away; bnt on a closer examination, as the stately Malilda whirled assay with me in the subsequent “German,” the idea became strangely fixed in my mind that the imitation was altogether too good, and that the diamonds worn that night by the heiress of the De Silvers were root. It puzzled me, but it only led me to the utwrauoe of a remark in praise of their brilliancy, which was restarted by a sweet smile and an increasing pallor on the cheeks of my lovely companion.

I called most assiduously after that, with a vague idea that any deficiencies in my wardrobe were quite likely to be overlooked! and found to my unspeakable delight, that I was beginning to be received on a most confidential footing; in short, quite in the character of a friend of the family. I even met the banker himself once or twice, bnt could not plnme myself on any very marked attention from him. Meantime Do Roos assured me that the carriage had not required “mending,” and that the diamonds of the fair Matilda and her duchess-like mother stood in no immediate danger of forfeiture As for myself, my .employers rather liked the idea of .my circulating in the “ upper ten,” and I awaited the newt installment of my insignificant stipend with serene indifference to anything but the feat that it would enable me to redeem my watch If not my chain. Somehow I wanted to be square with De Roos at the earliest possible day. It was by accident a trifle ever a month, say ft day or two, when I presented myself at my mend’s office, money in pocket, with Intent to regain possession of my ponderous and somewhat cherished heirloom. Who so polite as De Rocs ? “ Chair, my boy. Have a cigar* Been up to toe house lately ? You seem to be making good headway there, ha ? Serious intentions, eh ? All right—lots of tin one of these days.* Before long I explained the object of my visit, and even the imperturbable De Roos changed oountenanoc somewhat as he replied. rapidly, “Thai watch ? Why, I’d ho Idea yon wanted ever to redeem. Month’s up, yon know. Sent him te the melting-pot yestertay. Sorry, ’pon honor. Most‘look out for business, you know.” “Month! Melting-pot t” I almost shouted. “ I don’t know anything about a month. Here’s my ticket—every pawnbroker In the city gives s year!” And t whipped ont my envelope, and tore from it the evidence of my property and the loan thereon. In fecVl myself reqd it for toe first time, while*De Roos responded, “ Keep cool, mv boy. I’m not a pawnbroker. I thought you understood theae things, Read it through.” I did; and, surely enough, It was by no means n pawn-ticket, nor waa there an it any mention of any loan on internet. It wm staply an agreement to *dl to me, on the day which had Juat expired, a watch whoee number ana deecriptioo l knew only too well, at a ynoe specified,

and which was nearer ninety dollars than seventy-five. >Fpr a moment I was fairly furious, and ovs* uttered Vague threats of vengeance; bh*T>s Kona sever lost his equßulrnity. • “Keep qool, my boy. .I’m sorry* and all that sort wring Don't want to make a cent out of you.* Tisn’t likely It’s melted, yet; and if yon really want it, I'll send down and get it back for you. Come in to-morrow at three. Now, don’t get mad. Be decent and have another Havana. Thought you knew what you were about, you know.” So I consented to smoke and be pacified, and finally went away in the full assurance that I had really met a better fellow than De Roos. the fashionable “diamond broker.’^ Faithfully to the hour, I was on hud the next day as the clock struck three. Having now no time-piece of my own, I had learned to appreciate clocks, both public and private. A lurking feeling of uneasiness may account fv the feet that I had not called on the Use Silvers during the previous evening. Ms I was promptlyfßhand, as I said, at the door of 'he elegflLofflce of my elegant friend, the diamOhcr broker; but, somewhat to my aetonishiqsnt, that door would by no means yield to my repeated attempts to open it. »In short, it was locked.

“Gone oat for a moment,” I mattered. “Well, I’ll wait” I was auietly proceeding to do so, when I suddenly found myself roughly collared by somebody Mn a state of Jeicitement, while a trembling voice demanded, “You scoundrel, you are <Jhe of his set. I’ve seen you with him. Where is he ? And where is Matilda?” After a moment es otter bewilderment I managed to recognize in my unlooked for assailant the parental De,Silver himself—the banker—and stammered out a half-choked declaration of my utter ignorance. “You lie Sir I He’s gone I Matilda’s gone with him ? He’s got all the money! You come with me to the house 1 Come rightalong now 1” Any lily of any valley could have offered more resistance than I did, for I felt that I was acquiring valuable information, and I went along with the banker. He talked incessantly, and I speedily became aware that the money used by De Roos in his extensive transactions as a “diamond broker” had been furnished from the very respectable coffers of Matilda’s father. Business had been good of late, and both loans and deposits had been quite large enough to suggest to the elegant young financier a master-stroke in his own peculiar line. Beyond doubt no amount of “ interest” would now suffice to redeem thafeprecions jewel of a daughter, and De Roos had taken care to secure her portion in advance. After all, he had only, in reality, married the daughter of his partner in business—in anomewhat quiet way. I remembered about .the diamonds at the party, and was now quite persuaded that they were real. When we arrived at the house we found it in a oertain degree of well-regulated oonfUsion, and Madame, the mother of the vanished Matilda, in a very impressive state of weeping and distraction; but what interested me most was a pale face that I met in the hall. It was that of Clara Payne; and 1 heard her mutter, in a voice whose half-despairing tone I well remembered:

“ Gone ? And I had so counted on hffi promise ?” It flashed upon me that another month’s rent was over due. The money that should hqve redeemed my grandfather's watch was burning in my pocket; and as I thrust it into her hand I said to her: “ You have proved yourself good pay, Miss Payne; you won’t ruu away with anybody. Just take that and runaway out of this.” This time she actually did smile in my face, but she hurried sway without a word. It took some time to convince the old hanker that I was not an accomplice of De Roos; and, though he had to pay too much money on the “ failure” of his sudden son-in-law ever to pardon him, he seemed to pardon me very readily when he found that I had not done anything. In fact, the shape his pardon took has been worth something to me. As for Clara Payne, I have seen her since several times. In fact, I see her every time Igo home.— Harper's Weekly.