The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-06-29

81 tux e. new lease, SQUIRE retorted Zach.
started fresh, and, onless | has uncommon
bad luck, 'xpects now to die honestly, when
my times come. What's KEEP you from the
| gallows, squirrel"
Avelipg's countensnce underwent marked
change, and his eyes kindled with anger he
contriyed however, to maintain his self-compo-
sure, and answered, with forced laugh:
"You are jocular, Zachariah. But, you
really must excuse me; have important bust
ness on hand, and cannot te Detained
az you listen to me, Mr.. Aveling,n re-
tortsd Zach, deliberately, at the same time
hooking himself en- to Aveling's arm, with a
| grip that indicated an intention of not loosng
| TO stand squintin' at that var obstacle, for
all folks Gala it one of King Chops mile
| stones, sot up on end. Pm for walkin', eff you
are, not beirg bound nowhar partikier this
| morning; or eff you're mind for quiet talk,
| there aren't no easier place than down under
that wall yonder, in the SUM-
Really, Mister Grit, you must excuse men
| demonstrated Mark, resisting Zsch's effort to
pull him towards the spot he he'd indicated
another time; to morrow; but cannot now
really"
"Pve cotched live eels, sfore now, Mark I"
| said Zach, clenching his victims arm still
| tighter, and Pye larnt that the best way to
circumyent their wrigglements is to kip tight
hold on 'em when once you We nlcked 'em
Your company's agreeable, jest now You've
| turned up agin, unexpected, ike drowned
man, and afore gives you line, Pm for squar
ing an old matter or two atwixt me and you,
as you knows on Well come to an onder-
| stsnding bout these var trifies as sharp as
| biinkin', and then, MIR. Avelins, you may take
| long strides till you're furder Of from me
than the beginning of the world, for anything
| kears about ever setting eyes on you agin !;
that's fact yes, sir"
| Avelipg felt greatly embarrassed. He evi-
| IDENTIFY knew his man, for he made no further
attempt to release himself from his grip. He
did not however, proceed in the direction
Zach had intimated, but pointing to the gate,
said
well, Zach, I'm for listening to what you
have 30 say but would rather walk home
wards."
"To homo, then, Mark" replied Grit; is
| i. furl;'
"Behind the Madeleine, just round the cor
ner yonder, five Minutes walk, answered
Aveling. VIII you breakfast with me?"
80" was the quick response, "Pm hungry
some and meals don'5 come quite regular with
out money though this yar's a screeching
cheap place to live in, purvided you're nowsys
| particular bout what's give you to eat and
! now it's seasoned"
"Out Of money, then, as usual, Zachariah?"
remarked Aveling, and at that same moment
a shadow passed acroes his countenance, as
though some disagreeable thought had occur
red 20 him.
Truth, Mister Aveling" retorted Zach;
9 for want of honest folks like you payin' their
| debts"
The hint did rot appear to call up any very
| pleasant association in the mind Of Mark, for
ne did not again address Zach until they
reached the hotcl. Nor did Zacharah appear
in the least disposed to thrust his conversation
upon his companion, who led the way to a
handsomely furnished chamber On tho second
| floor and made sign for Zach to enter.
| But Zsch's eye had rested on the key Of the
htsitated, Anj, instead Of entering the apart
ment made way for Mark, saying:
"Pll foler your track, Mark"
Aveling's face flushed. He had noticed tho
suspicious glance Zach had cast upon him,
| and quite understood it; but he passed in, with
out saying word As he did So Zach took
out the key, and, following him into the room,
closed the door deliberately, locked it, and put
| the key in his pocket.
"Zachariah Mister Grit!n exclaimed Ave-
ling pale with enger, "what Go you mean 2"
Business, Mark Avelng," retorted Zach.
1t amt no use losin' time about it, nor maxim
believe as trusts you. You're down cute
customer, Mark, and done me over. Tnis time
| means to be cutter; that's the idea"
"Well, sir" repied Aveling doggedly, "and
now you have me in close quarters, may know
what you expect me to dog"
"Set down, Mark, and don't 60 for to get
rilcd," answered Zach, "csuse it wont do you
no good, and it might fire up my powder, and
then | reckon it 'ud come to which was tough
est at a close hug, and one on US mightn't get
over it quite easy. So set down, Mark"
Avelng frOwned, but seated himself at the
table, watching Zach as he proceeded to turn
up the right leg of his pantaloons over the top
of his boot. Thrusting his hand down into the
latter, he drew out long Bowie knife. in a
leathern sheath, which he presently removed,
| turning the broad hafs towards Aveling. 1t
was done deliberately; and Marks eye became
| riveted upon the weapon, as if it had been i'm
bued with some extraordinary aud irresistible
power of fascination. At the same moment
| heavy drops of porsriration burst out from
every pore and his countenance became ghast-
| ly as that of corpse. He read his own name
en- the hiatt Of the knife, and we'll he knew the
history CT it.
aPve KEEP it ever since, Mister Aveling"
observed Zach, with al imperturbable decision
of manner, but it amt never been used Ike 1t
war that night"
Il soc, Iee!n observed Aveling, with Bit
ter smile, "you intend to extort more money
| from me-"
"Pm clean used up, Mark" retorted Zach !;
q and if don't go for money to them as owes
it to me, can't keep honest"
"Did not pay you handsomely enough, at
the time, for the service you rendered me :"
asked Avelpg.
"You only KEEP half your bargain" replied
Grit; "you lodged out Of the rest. But, fair s
fair, and settlin' times come, Marx; that's a
factn
"It wasn't convenient for me to pay you at
the time" resumed Marx, but | gave you
moneys worth. Phi keep to the bargain we
made, if--if you WILL Zach"
"What bargained to do, Pill do" said Zach !;
81 won't do no more nor no less"
As he spoke, he ripped open the left breast
of his coat, and from between the cloth and
the lining drew out small packet of papers,
from which he selected enc. This he spread
out carefully on the marble slab of the table.
"There's your bold hand, Marx" he contin-
ued dated -
81 don't want to know the date" exclaimed
Aveling hurriedly.
"Weli, | amt no ways particular about il, +"
retorted Zach but it's money down, this time,
Mir. Avelipg.'
Aveling got up and went to his bureau, his
every movement closely watched by Grit.
! Opening an inner drawer, he took out bundle
of French bank notes, which he deposited on
| the table He then proceeded to count out the
sum demanded by Grit
! There's your money" said he, twisting up
the notes, and tossing them across to Zach.