Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1839-12-10


for in small fraction Of an hour the hank
would be shut and my note unpaid--a consum.
nation not at all devoutly to be wished bv
man who desires to be in good name and fame
upon 'Change. ] was hardly collected enougb
TO state my necessity, but old Sharp can under.
stand such matters from half word.
Lend money!" he exclaimed; II never do
such things" = -
"You don't, indeed!' said T.
"No,' returned he, taking out his snuff.box
with an arr ofthe greatest nonchalance; "but.
Tor proper consideration, / think know
somebody that will"
"W hat Is the mans namel" asked with AN
equal degree of pretended seriousness, though
knew the mans name was Solomon Sham.
and that he was standing that moment before
my face
"lll see him and let you know" said nv
honest friend. "Call here in quarter of an
hour-posslbly it may be done.''
"a garter of an hour.--Oh, Mr.. Sharp.-
but II you think it can be done in quarter of
an hour"
Mr., Sharp looked as composed as ifthe whole
affair had been nothing more than the picking
up OF straw. He walked out, and so did /.
We separated, and / saw him 90 up State
street, pass round the Post-office, and return
to his den, without speaking to a soul on the
way. When the ten minutes had expired,
went TO him. "Well, Mr.. Sharp"
81 have called on the man." said he, ubut he
is not at home"
"This," thought ], sis to demand ten per
cent. more from me.-"Mr. Sharp" said ], i'm
ploringly.
al shall see him in FIVE minutes, without
/ IL - -. a
step out again"
"Oh for a stone bow !" thought /, "to hit this
| fellow in the eye! with the money in his pock-
ct all this time,-to tease his gudgeon TO death
before he hooks him -
Ny veracious friend went out again, walked
round the Post-office and came back 1t was
almost three O'Clock and was ready to fly out
of my skin: every moment seemed an hour.
swell, Mr.. Sharp what does the man say!"
"Say!" replied the conscientious gentleman,
shaking his heads "why he says that money is
money now"
/ avery well, Mr.Sharp, knew that before;-
but will he do the note!-for heavens salSe!"
ale thinks he-might, drawled out my tor
mentor with an air of the utmost unconcem.
"WeD, Mr.. Sharp, and for how much?"
"Can't do IT for less than fifty per cent"
"Fifty per cent. MIR. Sharp! surely you mis-
take. Fifty per cent. for four months Oh,
monstrous!"
But Mr.. Sharp never moved muscle of his
countenance at these EXPLANATIONS. He an
swered not a word, but sat very leisurely down
in his chair, though he knew my credit had not
three minutes to lWe!-nay, he actually took
up newspaper and pretended to read!
'sFInty-hearted villain!' thought to myself
"Did you say fifty per cent. MIR. Sharp!"
"Ahem!" returned he, but without looking
up.
looked at my honest friend his face was
as blank and immoveable as a block of wood
looked at my watch; it wanted exactly one
minute of three. "There is 10 help" said / to
myself, 'when man is between the devil and
the deep sea. Here is my note, Mr. Sharp
come, despatch"
lie counted out the money snake haste,
Mr. Sharp! quick! faster! have not a moment
to lose!" snatcbed the bills, and was making
a leap out of the door. Stop!" said he, 'syou
have forgot my commission"
"Commission!--te thousand murdersl But
no matter-how much is it,"
"You have made so hard bargain with him."
said he, "that can't ask much; but as / must
provide for my family, you know-twenty dol
lars will do"
"Your family must be horseleeches, thought
/, eff they want providing for at this rate" At
that moment the clock struck
made a bolt TO the door, and was down
State-street as if the deputy-sheriff had been
at my heels. | upset a handcart, leaped over
a wheelbarrow, knocked down a constable,
iostled the mayor, swung round an immense al
derman, plunged through the thickest of the
crowd before the Union bank, tumbled up the
stairs, broke my nose against the door, and
burst into the room at the last second of the
last minute of the last hour of the last day of
grace.
"You have saved your bacon!" said the tel
Ter.
Coming away, spied a great monster Of a
butchers dog with miserable, lean, halfstarv-
ed puppy under his paw, and squeezing the
breath out of his body.
"There's a money-lender and his customer"
said /.