The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-10-19

Ground to be let in building leases APP
ply tn Mr.. Skinner, builder" at once de-
cided me. Gallo dupon Mr.. Skinner who
lived about half mile out of Guilford, the
next morning, inquired as to the condition
ofthe said leases, walked with him over
the ground in question, calculated togeth
er how much handsome country-house
would cost, and finally adjourned to the
Rose and Crown, to discuss the matter fur
ther over bottle Of wine. Skinner was
as free soul, l found, as ever liquor he
trayed into indiscretion; and soon heard
that he had been to London lately, and
had rich brother-in-law there, of the
name Of Hutton, with other less interest
ing particulars. This charming confidence
he seemed to think, required return in
kind, and after he had essayed half doz-
en- indirect questions, | came frankly out
with:
There's no occasion to beat about the
bush, Mr.. Skinner t: you wish to know
who am, and especially if am able to
pay for the fine house we have been talk
ing of. We'll, then, ! am money deal
er /; | lend cash sometimes on security"
"A pawnbrokerl queried Mr.. Skinner,
doubtfully.
Not exactly that oftener tahe per-
sons in pledge than goods. What mean
by money dealer is man who discounts
the signatures Of fast men with good ex-
pectations, who don't mind paying hand
somely in the end forpresent accommoda-
ton.
81 understand: bill-discounteri"
"Precisely. But come, drink, and pass
the decanter."
A CLEAN that shot out of the mans
gray eyes strengthened a hope had
hardly dared entertain, that was on the
eve of great success; but the trout, it was
clear. required to be cautiously played.
Mr.. Skinner presently fell into brown
study which did not interrupt, contenting
myself with reflling his glass as fast as
he mechanically emptied it. "A bill
discounter," said lie at last, putting down
his pipe, and turning towards me with a
quencei"
"None whatever, il the parties are safe" ."
Cash down on the nailN'
g Cash down on the nail, minus O
e course the interest"
"Of course. Well, then Mr. Thompson
t I have y promissory-note signed by Mr.
It Edmund Webster of London, for five hun
dred and fifty poup@s, at six months date
3 which should Ike to discount"
II Webster Of the Minoriesl"
mo; his father is retired corn.mer
- chant residing in the Regents Park. Th
bills a. safe as Bank OF England note.
5 81 know the party. But why doesn'
Il the rich brother-in-law you spoke Of cas-
it for youl"
h SWELL" replied Skinner, mo doubt h
le would; but the fact is, there is disput
between us abut this very note. ov
b. him a goodish bit Of money; and If he go
ne it into his hands, he'd Of course be for d,
We Quoting the amount; and I've been oblige
TO put him off by pretending it was acc
r. dentally burned soon after obtaire
~ it,"
:. "a queer story, my friend, but If Il
vn signatures genuine, | don't mind th'
,rv and you shall have the cash at once"
Ls "Here it is, then," said Skinner, u
"a clasping a stout leather pocket-book.
don't mind throwing back the odd fiji
mo- pounds"
he I eagerly grasped the precious dot
a! ment, glanced at il, saw it was all rig
al. placed it in my pocket, and then sudder
till changing ,ny tone, and rising from
md table, said" Now, then, Skinner al
ell Brown, have to inform you that /
less a detective police-officer and that you
# a my prisoner"
ow, "folIce! prisoner! shouteu the as'o
NO. ded man, as he leaped to his feet: "w'
It a are you talking ofl''
hot II will tell you. Your brother-in-l
fore employed you to discount the note n
iu my possession. You did so, pretend
pile, to be a Mr. Brown. the agent of
hort Curtis; but the villainous sequel Of
- transaction-the charging young
cog Webster with having stolen the very f
,g n pound notes you gave him in the col
He room Of the Bay-tree. Tavern
Civ not believe, thanks to Master Hutt
ong- success in suppressing the names in
err a police reports, YOU can be aware Of"
made The bewildered man shook as with :
DR. Of IN every limb, and when ceased spea
had protested earnestly thai ne had had
'sely. evil design in complying with his brot
rt Of in.law's wishes.
ed at ~ am willing to think So" / req
adept "but, at all events, you must 60 with
plain to London--quietly were best" ~
{ pro- To this he at last, though very re
!, not, antly, consented; and half an hour
o. wards we were in the train, on our
cisive to London.
,eded, The next morning, Mr.. Webster's
d him citors applied to Mr. Hutton for the
We the mediate liquidation Of the bond he
hung thcir client. This, as We had calcu
), and rendered him furiouS and Edmund
-e re- ster was again arrested on the G
vis,- charge, and taken to the MarIbol
labelt Street Police Office, where his
o besf Captain Bramston, and other friend
up o. patiently awaited his appearance.
itating Hutton this time appeared as prost
I of q and deposed TO the safe custody
!" This aotes on the morning ofths rcbbes,