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

tell you again, retorted the excited
invalid, that will not purchase mere for
bearance to prosecute at the cost of sim
gle shilling. The accusation would be al
ways hanging over his head, and we
should remain forever disgraced, as we are
now, in the eyes Of the world"
81 have turned that over in nv mind. ~
replied Hutton, "And think can meet
your wishes. Undertake to cancel the
debt l owe you, and will wait publicly,
: tomorrow upon the Magistrate, with a let
ter IN my hand purporting to he from my
son, and stating tlat it was he who took
the notes from my desk, and employed
man OF the name of Brown, to exchange
them for your sons acceptance, he being
anxious that Mr.. Edmund Webster should
not become his fathers partner; a purpose
that would necessarily be frustrated if he,
Edmund Webster was enabled to marry
and leave this country.
: There was no answer to this aulacious
proposal for a minute or two. and then
Mr.. Webster said slowly: "That my son
is innocent, am thoroughly convinced
"lnnocent!" !" exclaimed Mr.. Hutton with
savage derision. Have you .aker leave
of your senses ~
"Still," continued the invalid, uurin,l-
tul of the einterIup,ion, ''it might Ice impo,-
sibIe to prove him so and yoor PROPOSE
ton has certain plausihility about it.
must, however, have time to consider of
it."
"Certainly, let us say till this day week.
You cannot choose but comply for if you
do not, as certainly as stand here a liv-
ing man, your son shall, Immediately af-
ter the expiration Of that time, be on the
high-road to the huks." Having said
this Mr.. Hutton went away, and einerg-
ed from my very undgnifed lurking
place.
l begin to see little clearer through
this black affair" said in reply to thu old
gentleman's questionable look and trust
We may vet be able to turn the tables up
on the very confident gentleman who has
just left us. Now if you please, | added,
. | sSli----t, >s'--,s--.'- =. -
!. ments' conversation with your brother."-
y She led the way down stairs, and fount
/, Mr.. Edmund Webster in the dining-room
y "Have the Kindness" said, ITO let IN
e see the hat Mr.. Brown left behind at til
l. tovern in exchange for yours"
l. The young man seemed surprised a
t. the apparent oddness Of the request, bu
| Immediately complied with it.
X "And pray, what makers or seller
'e name was pasted in the crown of you
in hat, Mir. Webster I"
d Lewis, Of Bond Street" he replied =
r, | always purchase my hats there"
p Very good, and now as to Mr.. Brown
G personal appearance. What is he at a
Or iikeT
"A stoutish, middle aged man, wit
81 very light hair, prominent nose and pa
ne face, considerably pock-marked."
=; THAT will do for the present, Mr.. Wei
-. ster, and let me beg, that till you see II
again, not soul receives hint that '
a are moving in this business"
then left the house. The hat had {,
nished an important piece of informatic
ice the printed label inside being "PerkiI
II Guilford, Surry," and at the Rose Cro'
in Inn, Guilford, Surry, I allighted the We
next day at about two o'clock, in I
rs strong hope of meeting in its streets or d
acent lanes, with stoutish gentlemen,
.all distinguished by very light hair, a 10
ock nose, and a white pock marked face. I
,elf chance was, at all events, worth n trii
aud very diligently set to work to re
an ize it. by walking about from dawn
o dark, peering at every head passed, {
0"a ~ spending the evenings in the most frequ
=" ted parlors Of the town. Many boot
~ ~ chase was led by distant glimpse Q
hs light or red head Of hair; and one fell
'aon on with sandy poll, and pair Of the 10
NJ est legs ever saw, kept me almost a
run, for two mortal hours, one sultry
M H.. morning, on the road to Chertsey, be
n'' headed him, and confronted a pair o
gu cheeks, rs round and as red rs an ap
- T : between which lay, scarcely visible, a 81
!. ~. snub nose. Patience and perseverance
~ however met with their reward. l re
" nized my man as he was chespenin
'' Joint of meat in the market place.
f., answered precisely to the description
!, en- me, and wore, moreover, a hat str
ge'o ly suggestive Of Bond Street Aft
while he parted from his wife, and n
and towards public house, into the parl,
in a which entered close after him.
: was now leisure to observe him more clo
K up, He appeared to be q respectable so
'ntle- man, but care worn expression fitt
hyp- times over his face, which to me, an &
Aids in such signs, indicated with much |
the ness, . great anxiety Of mind, arising
baby from..pecuniary embarrassment
'egan Judged, from burdened conscienc
will presently obtained further and de
yer- proof, though that was scarcely ne
old OF that Mr.. Skinner, as the waiter caile
was my Mr. Brown: in rising to lea
ards" room, took his hat, which he had
up, IN apparent mistake fos my own
uding IN the halt minute that elapsed befo'
ad Of placed 1t, saw, plainly enough, "Lev
ven a Bond Street, London" on the inside
admi- The only question now was, how
cancel avail myself Of the lucky turning
% your Mr.. Brown; and while was med
yicted, several modes Of action, the sigh
board, upon which waa painted