The Golden Shoemaker: or 'Cobbler' HornKeyworth, J. W.
General
The Golden Shoemaker: or 'Cobbler' Horn
Keyworth, J. W.
Christian life -- Fiction; Inheritance and succession -- Fiction; Missing children -- Fiction; Philanthropists -- Fiction
seem for the opportunity it had brought.
Never, perhaps, were the functions of a Christian man of wealth more
clearly comprehended, or the possibilities of blessedness involved in the
possession of riches more fully realized, than by "Cobbler" Horn. He often
told himself that, by making others happy with his money, he secured the
highest benefit it was able to impart. Thus bestowed, his wealth afforded
him infinitely greater satisfaction, than if he had devoted it entirely to
his own personal ends.
But "the Golden Shoemaker" was not satisfied. His money was not going
fast enough. The amounts he had already dispensed appeared but as a few
splashes of foam from the sea. He wanted channels for his benevolence.
His difficulty was rare. Most men of means find that they have not the
wherewithal to supply the demands of their own many-handed need. He was
able to satisfy almost unlimited necessities beyond his own, but was sadly
troubled to know how it might be done. Yet he was determined that he would
not rest, until he had found means of disposing, in his Lord's service, of
every penny that remained to him, after his own modest wants had been
supplied.
Actuated by this purpose, "Cobbler" Horn resolved to pay another visit
to his minister. Mr. Durnford had helped him before, and would help him
again. Of set purpose, he selected Monday morning for his visit. Unless
his business had been very urgent indeed, he would not have run the risk
of disturbing Mr. Durnford at his studies by going to see him on any other
morning than this. But he knew that, on Monday morning, the minister was
accustomed to throw himself somewhat on the loose, and was rather glad,
than otherwise, to welcome a congenial visitor at that time.
Mr. Durnford, as usual, gave his friend a cordial greeting. There was not
a member of his church who occupied a higher place in his regard than did
"Cobbler" Horn.
"Glad to see you, Mr. Horn!" he said, entering the dining-room, whither
his visitor had been shown by the maid; and he heartily shook "the Golden
Shoemaker" by the hand. "This is a regular 'Blue Monday' with me, as,
indeed, most of my Mondays are; and a little brotherly chat will give me
a lift. How go the millions?"
By this time they were seated opposite to each other, in two comfortable
chairs, before a cheerful fire. The minister's half-joking question
touched so closely the trouble just then upon "Cobbler" Horn's mind, that
he took it quite seriously, and returned a very grave reply.
"The 'millions,' sir, are not going fast enough; in fact, they go very
slowly indeed. And, to make a clean breast of it, that is what has brought
me here this morning."
"Ah!" exclaimed Mr. Durnford, with deep interest.
"But, sir," added "Cobbler" Horn, half-rising, and putting out his hand,
"don't let me hinder you. I can come another time, if you are busy just
now."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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