Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1854-02-04
HOW TO PAY THE RENT.
"A Story of ventriloquism.

Dy one shop OF rather humble appearance, FRO
Q the circumstance Of seeing the owner of it a
d ways sitting at work, and group of pref
/. children playing about the door. Mr., Macmi
Ian learnt, from the inscription over the doc
that the poor tradesman was named John PEI
ny, and that he exercised the craft and mystel
Of boot and shoe making. He was tall an
a thin, with pale visage, and long hair, combe
straight down his checks. His brow W.
thoughtful, not to say careworn; but there Wa
an air of meek resignation about him that wa
very touching.
The ventriIoquist being good hearted mai
and having wife and family Of. his own, as
gazed upon the unconscious children, could nc
help thinking of his 'ain Mary, and the wee bi
BARNS he had left at hame." He could not re
sist giving poor Penny turn, and improving
his own understanding at the same time, by or
dering pair of boots.
The humble tradesman, who was, as usual
at his work, gratefully acknowledged the order
but, in answer to Macmillan's very natura
questioned when he would have the boot.
done, replied with deep sigh, that he did no
exactly know; the order would be executed a.
soon as possible; but that he could not fix any
precise time.
Macmillan, from his knowledge of the world
and beiug considerate man, thought that, per.
haps the poor fellow had not got the means to
purchase the materials; there was sad, blank
air Of poverty about his shop.
81 will leave you half sovereign as depo.
Sit" said he; "get them done as soon as pos
sibie."
To his surprise, John Penny refused to take
any advance.
ut will be time enough to pay for the boots
when you get tbem," said he significantly.
Macmillan was perplexed. He looked ear
nestly at the son of st. Crispin, whose brow
was more thoughtful, and his look more care-
worn than ordinarily.
"Dont think me impertinent," said he, "but
is anything the matter!-you seem unhappy"
"No, nothing very particular"
"Nay, nay, I'm convinced there is" returned
Macmillan, whose sympathy began to be much
awakened.
"Come, come, what is it!'
swell, since you are PRESSING" said Penny,
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 chapel"
"You don't mean you were one Of the Jum-
pers!" inquired Macmillan, scarcely able to con-
ceal q SMILE
"Iwill confess that was," replied Penny de.
voutly. Il stood high in favor with that singu-
lary pious man. All his congregation dealt
with me for boots and shoes. Thought had
received special call to furnish the Jumpers
with approved soles; but, alas! one fine morn
ing the holy man was translated, I think his
followers called it, for he was nowhere to be
found! This sad defalcation caused me to 20
back; could not meet my rent, and
"Why, how much do you owe!" said the kind
hearted ventriloquist.
II am now nearly three quarters in arrears;
it will soon be upwards of f2O."
"Who is your landlord!"
esquire Summer"
"What! of the Legion-mills, Ancoats!"
"Yes."
"Why, he is one of the great cotton lords,
rich as Jew. If | were to come surety, now,
don't you think he'd give you timer
"He has been very patient; cannot COM
plain of him. But he is man Of business
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 be said he should call once more, and
then if the money was not forthcoming the law
must take its course. expected him yestsr-
day, and"
"Eh, mercy, man! what's the matter with
you!" said Macmillan, "you tremble."
ayes, see he's coming; he has that fellow
Boardman, the broker with him."
Macmillan looked out, and saw, indeed, the
Squire, his footman, and very shabby suspi-
cious looking fellow, apparently an employee
of the broker. He had scarcely time to cast
rapid glance around the deserted shop, ere the
party were at the door, and they entered.
"Let them come, cried Penny, with an air of
despairing resignation, have struggled, Hea-
ven knows! as long as l was able, and can do |
no more"
"WelI, MI. Penny" said the squire blandly,
advancing to the counter, "you know, of course
The cause Of my VISIT"
Here huge staring Poll Parrot, who with |
It's cage, formed one of the few articles of fur
,iture in the shop, began to whistle,
"Call again tomorrow" to the astonishment |
If all present except Macmillan. She follow
ID this by
81 know bank"
The Squire and broker started. The Squire
however, resumed,
~You are, Of course, provided, Mr. Penny"
sAlas! no sir" said the poor tradesman, "it's
,seless to deceive you any further. cannot
nay you at this moment, nor neither do know
when can; take my little property, sir, let it
nay as much as it will, l will do the best can;
Providence will not forsake me"
aWhat's o'cIock!" interrupted the parrot-i
Polly wants her breakfast"
The children, who had by this time stolen
.overtly in, curious to know what was going
onward, were as much surprised as their father
It PolIys sudden loquacity. Their little round
yes dilated with wonder and twinkled with
|elight; but the awful presence Of the great
nan, from which they felt an instructive awe,
repressed them.
"Well WELL" continued the prudent man of
;otton, aiter pause, III that's the case may