Washington sentinel., 1853-10-20
I emerged from my very undignifed lurking
i,

/
mans questioning look, sand trust we may
| yet be able to turn the tables upon the very
confident gentlemen who has just left us. Now,
| if you please, | added, addressing Miss Web
ster, who had again returned II shall be glad
of few moments conversation with your
brother" She led the way down stairs, and
found Mr.. Edmund Webster in the dining room.
"Have the Kindness" said, 'sto let me see the
hat Mr. Brown left behind at the tavern in ex-
change for yours" The young man seemed
surprised at the apparent oddness of the re-
quest, but Immediately complied with it. Sand
pray, what maker or sellers name was pasted
inside the crown of your hat Mr. Webster?
'Lewis, of Bond street. he replied II al
ways purchase my hats there"
every good. And now as to Mr.. Browns
personal appearance. What is he at all ike?'
"A stoutish middle aged man, with very light
hair, prominent nose, and pale face, consider
ably pock-marked."
"That will do for the present, Mr.. Webster,
and let me beg, that till you see me again, not
a soul receives hint that we are moving in
this business"
/ then left the house. The hat had furnished
an important piece of information the printed
liable inside being " Perkins, Guildford, Sur
rey;" and at the Rose and Crown Inn, Guild
ford, Surrey, / alighted the very next day at
about two o'clock, in the strong hope of meet
ing in its steep streets or adjacent lanes with
stoutish gentleman, distinguished by very light
hair, q long nose, and white, pock-marked
face. The chance was, at all events, worth a
trial and very diligently set to work to re-
alize it, by walking about from dawn till dark,
peering at every head passed, and spending
the evenings in the most frequented parlors OF
the town. Many bootless chase / was led by
distant glimpse Of light or red hair and one
fellow with sandy poll, and a pair Of the long
est legs ever saw, kept me almost at run
for two mortal hours one sultry hot morning,
on the road to Chertsey, before ! headed him,
and confronted a pair of fat cheeks, as round
and red as an apple, between which lay, scarcely
visible, a short snub-nose.
Patience and perseverance, at length, how
ever, met with their reward. recognised my
man as he was cheapening joint of meat in
| the marketplace. He answered precisely to
| the description given me, and wore, moreover,
a fashionable hat, strongly suggestive of Bond
street. After awhile he parted from his wife,
and made towards public house, into the par
| lor of which / entered close after him. had
| now leisure to observe him more closely. He
appeared to be a respectable sort of man, but
Ia care-worn expression fitted at times over his
face, which to me, an adept in such signs, indi-
Gated with sufficient plainness much anxiety Of
mind, arising, probably, from pecuniary embar-
rassment, not, Judged, from a burdened con-
| science. presently obtained further and de-
| cisive proof, though that was scarcely needed,
| that Mr.. Skinner, as the waiter called him, was
my Mr.. Brown; in rising to leave the room,
took his hat, which he had hung up, in appa-
rent mistake for my own, and in the half-minute
that elapsed before ] replaced it, saw, plainly
enough, Lewis Bond street, London on the
inside label. The only question now was, how
to best avail myself of the lucky turning up Of
Mr. Brown; and whilst was meditating several
modes of action, the sight of board, upon
which was painted "This ground to be let in
building leases: apply to Mr. Skinner, builder"
at once decided me. | called upon Mr.. Skin
ner, who lived about half mile out of Guilford,
the next morning, inquired as to the conditions
of the said leases, walked with him over the
ground in question, calculated together how
much a handsome country-house would cost,
and finally adjourned to the Rose and Crown
to discuss the matter further over bottle of
wine. Skinner was as free soul, found, as
ever liquor betrayed into indiscretion; and /
soon heard that he had lately been to London,
and had rich brother-in-law there, of the name
of Hutton, with other less interesting particu.
lars. This charming confidence, he seemed to
think, required return in kind, and after he
had essayed half dozen indirect questions, l
came frankly out with: "There's no occasion to
beat about the bush, Mr.. Skinner; you wish to
know who am, and especially if am able to
pay for the fine house we have been talking of.
Well, then, am moneydealer; lend cash,
sometimes, on security"
"A pawnbroker:" queried Mr.. Skinner,
doubtfuliy.
Not exactly that oftener take persons in
pledge, than goods. What mean by money.
dealer, is man who discounts the signatures
Of fast men with good expectations, who don't
mind paying handsomely in the end for present
accommodation"
I understand a bill-discounter."
Precisely. But come, drink, and pass the
decanter."
A CLEAN that shot out of the mans grey
ewes strengthened hope | had hardly dared
entertain, that / was on the eve of a great sue
cess but the trout it was clear, required to be
cautiously played. Mr.. Skinner presently fell
into a brown study which did not interrupt, con-
tenting myself with refillng his glass as fast as
he mechanically emptied it. A bill-discount
er," said he at last, putting down his pipe, and
turning towards me with settled purpose in
his look ais amount and length of time to
run Of any consequence
"None whatever, if the parties are safe"
sCash down on the nall?"
"Cash down on the nail, minus, Of course,
the interest"
"Of course. Well, then, Mr.. Thompson,
have promissory note, signed by a Mr.. Ed
mund Webster, of London, for FIVE hundred
and fifty pounds, at six months date, which i
should like to discount"
"Webster of the Minoriesp'
"No: his father is retired corn-merchant,
residing in the Regents Park. The bills as
safe as Bank of England note"
II know the party. But why dosen't the
rich brother-in-law you spoke of cash it for
you?"
"Well," replied Skinner, "no doubt he would;
but the fact is, there is dispute between us
about this very note. / owe him goodish bit
of money; and if he got it into his hands, he'd
of course be for deducting the amount and
I've been obliged to put him off by pretending
it was accidently burned soon after obtained
it."