Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1854-04-27

VI A'Ohu cehoCps 1AlpCA ~ Whiio ho P1AoSN AicAA
his wife, and made towards public-house, int
the parlor of which entered close after him
l had now leisure to observe him more closely
He appeared to be respectable sort of man
but care-worn expression filtered at times ovei
his face, which, to me, an adept in such signs
indicated with sufficient plainness much anx
iety of mind, arising. probably, from pecuniary
embarrassment, not, judged, from burdened
conscience. presently obtained further and
decisive proof, though that was scarcely needed
that Mr.. Skinner, as the waiter called him, was
my Mr.. Brown, in rising to leave the room, j
took his hat, which he had hung up, in appa-
rent mistake for my own, and in the halfminute
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
MIR. 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. Skinner,
who lived about half mile out of Guilford,
the next morning, inquired as to conditions of
the said leases, walked with him over the ground
in question, calculated together how much a
handsome country-house would cost, and final
ly adjourned to the Rose and Crown to discuss
the matter further over bottle of wine. Skin
ner was as free soul, found, as ever liquor
betrayed into indiscretion and l soon heard
that he had lately been to London, and had
rich brother-in-law there of the name of Hut
ton with other less interesting particulars. This
charming confidence, he seemed to think, re-
quired q return in kind, and after he had essayed
half-a-dozen indirect questions, 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 money-deaer. lend cash, sometimes,
on security
"A pawnbroker! queried Mr.. Skinner doubt
fully.
Not exactly that: oftener take persons in
pledge, than goods. What mean bya 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
Il understand: a bill discounter'
Precisely. But come, drink, and pass the
decanter.
A CLEAN that shot out of the mans gray eyes
strengthened hope had hardly dared enter
tain, that was on the eve of a great success ;
but the trout, it was clear, required to be eau
tiously played, Mr. Skinner presently fell in
to brown study which did not interrupt,
contenting myself with rcflling bis glass as
fast as he mechanically emptied it. A bill dis
counter, said he at last, putting down his pipe,
and turning towards me with a settled purpose
in his look. Is amount and length of time to
run of any consequence!
None whatever, if the parties are safe.'
Cash down on the nail =
Cash down on the nail, minus of course the
interest
'Of course. WE'LL then, Mr.. Thompson,
l have promissory-note signed by Mr.. Ed
mund Webster of London, for five hundred and
fifty pounds, at six manths' date, which should
like to discount
webster Of the Minories9'
NO; his father is a retired corn-merchant
residing in the Regents Park. The bills al
safe as Bank Of England note'
Il know the party. But why doesn't the
rich brother-in-law you spoke of cash it fol
you'll
well, replied Skinner, "no doubt he would
but the fact is there is a 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 l obtained
it,
"A queer story, my friend but if the sigma
ture's genuine, don't mind that, and you shall
have the cash at once
Here it is, then, said Skinner, unclaspin,
stout leather pocket-book Il don't min
throwing back the odd fifty pounds
eargerly grasped the precious document
glanced at it, saw it was all right, placed it in
my pocket, and then suddenly changing my
tone, and rising from the table, said Now
then, Skinner, alias Brown | have to inform
you that am a detective poliece-oficer, and
that you are my prisoner
Police prisoner shouted the astounded
man, as he leaped to his feet what are you
talking off
Il will tell you. Your brother-in-law en-
ployed you to discount the note now in my
possession. You did SO, pretending to be Mr.
Brown, the agent of a Mr.. Curtis; but thu
villanous sequel of the transtction-the charg
ing young Mr.. Webster with having stolen th'
very fifty-pound notes you gave him in the cof
fee-room, of the Bay Tree Tavern do no
believe, thanks to Master Huttons success il
in suppressing the names in the police reports
you can be aware Of
Il The bewildered man shook as with ague il
every limb, and, when l ceased speaking, pro
tested earnestly that he had had no evil desig
in complying with his brother-in-laws wishes
+ Il am willing to think so,' replied; 'but
at all events, you must 60 with me to Londo
t quietly were best
) To this he at last, though very reluctantly
consented; and half an hour afterwards W
/ were in the train, and on our road to London
: The next morning, Mr.. Webster's solicitor
applied to Mr.. Hutton for the immediat
: liquidation of the bonds held by the client
. This, as we had calculated, rendered him furioul
and Edmund Webster was again arreseed on th
former charge, and taken to the Marlborough