The weekly Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1852-1855, 1854-03-02
HOW TO PAY THE RENT.

tenNhoqulstb nhu ocCtslon 10 visit Man
chester, for the purpose Of giving his ven.
triloquial lectures at its institutions. His
attention was attracted by one shop Of rath-
er humble appearance, from the cireurn.
stance OF seeing the ownc. of il always sit
ting at work, and group of pretty chill.
dren playing about the door. From the
melancholy bits OF black about their dress.
they were evidently motherless. Mr. Mac.
milan 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 aud shoe-m aking. He
was tail and thin, with pale visage and
long hair, combcd straight down his checks.
His brow was thoughtful, not to say care
worn; but there was an air of meek resig-
nation about him that was very touching.
The ventriloquist being good hearted d
man, and having a wife an family OF bis
own, as he gozed upon the unconscious
children, could not help thinking Of his 'ain
Mary and that wee bit bairn he had left at
home. He could not resist giving poor PEN
ny turn, and improving his own under
standing at the same time, by ordering u
pair Of boots.
The humble tradesma who was ,as usual
at his work, gratefully acknowledged the
order, but, in answer to Mncmilan's very
natural question-of when he would have
the boots, replied with deep sigh, he did
not exactly know: the order would be exc
cuted as soon as possible; but that he could
not fix any precise time
Macmillan, from his knowledge Of the
world aad being a considerate man, thought
that perhaps the poor fellow had not got the
means to purchase the materials; there was
sad, blank air of poverty about his shop.
Il will leave you half sovereign as a de-
posit,' said he; get them done az 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 them,' said he signif
cantly.
Macmillan was perplexed lie looked
earnestly at the son of st. Crispin whose
brow was more thoughtful, ,and his look more
care-woin than ordinarily.
Don't think me impertinent,' said he, but
is anythingth matter!-you seem, unhap-
IPy.'
No, no thing particular
NAY, nay, Pm convinced there is,' re-
turned Macmillan, whose sympathy began
to be much awakened.
Come, come, what is iti
well, since you are pressing,' said PEN
ny, signing deeply, Il will confess there is
my rent. have gone back in my rent
| was one of the congregation of the Rev.
Mr. Tramp, the minister of our local chap
ell
'You don't mean you were one Of the
Jumpers!' inquired Macmillan, scarcely able
to conceal a smile.
Il will confess that was replied Penny,
devoutly. Il stood in high favor OF the sin
guarly pious man. All his congregation
dealt with me for boots and shoes. thought
| | had received special cali to furnish the
Jumpers with approved soles; but, alas! one
fine morning the holy mas was translated,
| think his followers called it, for he was
nowh IRE to be foundl This sad defulcatiun
caused me to 60 back; could not meet my
rent, and
why, how much do you owe" said the
kind-hearled ventriloquist.
Il am now nearly three-quarters in arrears;
it will soon be upwards of f20'
Who is the landlord?'
quire Summer
what! Of the Legionmils, Ancoats!
yes
why he is one Of the great cotton lords,
rich as a Jew. If L were to come surety,
now, don't you think he'd give you tmeP
He has been very patient, cannot com
plain of him. But he is a 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
| nj han ha nOt
forthcoming, the law must take its course
expected him yesterday, and--'
'Eh, mercy man what is the ma tier with
your said Macmillan, you tremble.'
yes, see he's coming; he has that fell
low Boardman, the broker with him.
Macmillan looked out, and saw indeed the
squire, his footman,and a shabby, suspicious
looking fellow, apparently an employee of
the banker. He had scarcely time to cast
a rapid glance around the deserted shop,
ere the party were at the door, and they en-
tered
'Let them come, cried Penny, with an air
Of despairing resignation, Il have struggled,
Heaven knows, as long as | was able, and
can do no more.'
well, Mr.. Penny said the squire, bland
y, advancing to the counter, you know, OF
course, the cause OF my visit!
Here huge staring Poll parrot, who with
its cage, formed one OF the few articles of
furniture in the shop, began to whistle
Call again TO morrow to the astonish-
ment Of all present. except Macmillan. -
She followed this by
Il know bank
The squire and broker started. The
Squire, however, resumed,--
4 you are. Of course, provided, Mr.. Penny!'
'Alas! no SIR said the poor tradesman
'its useless to deceive you any further. |
cannot pay you at this moment, nor either
do know when can; take my little prop.
erty, sir, let it pay as much as it will,
will do the best can; Providence will not
forsake me.
What's o'clockp interrupted the parrot;
'Polly wants her breakfast
The children, who had by this time stolen
covertly in, curious to know what was 60
ing forward, were as much surprised as their
father at Polly's sudden loquacity. Their
little round eyes diated with wonder and
twlnkled with delight; but the awful pres
ence of the great man, from which they felt
an instructive awe, somewhat repressed
them.
We'll, well,' continued the prudent ma
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