Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-12-29
Masbiaaton Sentiml
How to Pay the Rent.

the purpose of giving his ventriloquial lectures
Mt its institutions. His attention was attracted
by one shop of rather humble appearance, from
the circumstance of seeing the owner OF it al
WAYS sitting at work, and group OF pretty
children playing about their door. From the
melancholy bits of black about their dress, they
were evidently motherless. Mr.. Macmillan
learnt, from the inscription over the door, that
the poor tradesman was named John Penny
and that he exercised the craft and mystery of
boot and shoe making. He was tall and thin,
with pale visage and long hair, combed
straight down his cheeks. His brow was
thoughtful, not to say careworn; but there was
an air of meek resignation about him that was
very touching. l
The ventriloquist being good-hearted man,
and having wife and family of his own, as he
eazed upon the unconscious children, could not
help thinking Of his ain Mary, and that wee
bit BARN he had left at home. He could not
resist giving poor Penny turn, and imProv-
ing his own understanding at the same time,
by ordering pair OF boots.
The humble tradesman, who was, as usual,
at his work, gratefully acknowledged the order;
but in answer to Macmillan's very natural
ouestion-of when he would have the boots,
replied with deep sigh, that he did not exactly
know; the order would be executed as soon as
possible; but that he could not fix any precise
time.
Macmillan, from his knowledge of the world
and being consderate man, thought that per-
haps the poor fellow had not got the means to
purchase the materials; there was sad, blank
air Of poverty about his shop.
"I will leave you half sovereign as de-
posit," said he; get them done as soon as
possible"
To his surprise, John Penny refused to take
any advance.
1T will be time enough to pay for the boots
when you get then,," said he significantly.
Macmillan was perplexed. He looked earn
estly at the son of st. Crispin, whose brow was
more thoughtful, and his look more careworn
than ordinarily.
"Dont think me impertinent," said he, "bnt
is anything the matter you seem unhappy
"No nothing very particular"
"Nay, nay, I'm convinced there is,' return
ed Macmillan, whose sympathy began to be
much awakened
Come, come, what is il?
"Well, since you are pressing said Penny,
sighing deeply, II will confess there is--my
rent. I have gone back in my rent. was
one of the congregation of the Rev. Mr.. Tramp,
the minister of our local chapel.
"You don't mean you were one of the
Jumpers?" inquired Macmillan, scarcely able
to conceal SMILE
"I will confess that / was" replied Penny
devoutly. ~ stood high in favor with that sim
gularly pious man. All his congregation dealt
with me for boots and shoes. thought had
received special call to furnish the Jumpers
with approved soles; but, alas! one fine morn
ing the holy man was translated, think his
followers called it, for he was nowhere to be
found? This sad defalcation caused me to go
back; could not meet my rent, and"
"Why, how much do you owe?" said the
kind hearted yentriloquist.
~ am now nearly three quarters in arrears;
it will soon be upwards Of f20."
"Who is your landlord?"
esquire Summer"
"Whatl Of the Legionmills, Ancoats2'
eyes"
"Why he is one Of the great cotton lords,
rich as Jew. If we're to come surety, now,
don't you think he'd give you time ?"
+" He has been very patient; cannot com
plain of him. But he is man of business
a man of money. Never having known want
himself, he cannot conceive it to spring from
any other cause than improvidence, or worse
and has little sympathy with it; the last time
he was here he said he should call once more,
and then, if the money was not forthcoming,
the law must Jake ltS cOuTSe. cApeCtcu Hm
yesterday, and"
"Eh, mercy man what is the matter with
YOU ~ said Macmillan, "you tremble.''
eyes, / see he's coming; he has that fellow
Boardman, the broker, with him."
Macmillan looked out, and saw indeed, the
Squire, his footman, and very shabby suspi-
cious-looking fellow, apparently an employee
of the broker. He had scarcely time to cast
a rapid glance around the deserted shop, ere
the party were at the door, and they entered.
"tet them come,n cried Penny, with an air of
despairing resignation, II have struggled,
Heaven knows as long as | was able, and can
do no more"
"Well, Nh. Penny said the Squire, blandly,
advancing to the counter, "you know, Of course,
the cause of my visit p
Here a huge staring Poll parrot who, with its
cage, formed one of the few articles of fnrni-
ture in the shop, began to whistle
"Call again to morrow" to the astonishment
Of all present, except Macmillan. She followed
this by
az know bank
The squire and broker started. The squire,
however resumed
"You are, of course, provided, Mr.. Penny!"
"Alas no sir" said the poor tradesmah,
'it's useless to deceive you any further. | can
not pay you at this moment, nor either do !
know when can; take my little property, sir,
let it pay as much as it viii, will do the best
can; Providence will not forsake me-"
"Whats o'clock ?" interrupted the parrot |;
Polly wants her breakfast"
The children, who had by this time stolen
covertly in, curious to know what was going
forward, were as much surprised as their father
at Polly's sudden loquacity. Their little round
eyes dilated with wonder and twinkled with de-
light; but the awful presence Of the great man,
from which they felt an instructive awe, some
what repressed them.
"Well, well,' continued the prudent man of
cotton, after pause, '.if that's the case may
ms well have the things as anybody else. John
Broadman, you will do what is necessary"
Polly, Polly, Polly, Polly" here exclaimed
Poll.
"That's fine bird, observed the squire, his
attention attracted.
~ must leave man in possession said
the broker, 'but before i go, may as well
make out the inventory, for / suppose there is
~ cbauca of natters beino satflad ,y;tho,t n