The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-10-22

nuo~J 10 euo ruio III all WeitregulaJeu DanH3
Very well. l shall have a customer in the
bank tomorrow, who will take up Inkpen's
entire time paying out currency and specie
We will pass the same amount of silver over
and over, until this rascal will get the idea thai
we have q mine in our vault"
:" fear that will only make him impatient
! He takes matters very coolly now"
"Don't he? Cool fellow He don't drink
wine2"
"No, but makes up in cider"
The man who drinks cider, will steal. ]
say, why not strengthen his cider-hokus q
little, eh?"
81 don't like the idea-not in my own house
at least"
It's not my house, so am relieved from
such scruples. l will dine with you to morrow
This old vagabond shan't carry it off triumph
antly. Good day."
That night, Mr.. Johnston retired early to
bed. As he passed the chamber of his sleep
ing guest, fearful temptation seized him
The door was open. He looked in, and saw
the old man sound asleep, and near his bed
those internal saddle bags. How easy it would
be to seize the accursed things to throw
tnem away-burn them-yes, if need be, choke
the cold blooded dealer in bank notes, who
could sleep 30 quietly, while ruin hung not
only over his own home, and all he held dear,
but over the humble households of hundreds
his lips quivered and his hands cenched but.
like a good, and, indeed, in his line, great
man, as he was, he dismissed the fearful
thought, and passed on. But the thought
controlled while waking, took possession of the
nnguarded brain in sleep. All night long, the
PRESIDENT of the Bogus County Banking Com
Pany was running through sandy deserts, fly.
ing over vast seas, chasing pair of old saddle
1 uhr 10 TO-
aged gentleman in homespun.
| Mr.. Finkbine's stratagems were put in exc.
cution the next day. The stranger accompa-
MED Mr.. Johnston to the bank at ~ O'Clock.
and saw Mr.. Inkpen busily engaged with a
dapper little fellow, who handed out great rolls
OF notes, and received in return great bags of
specie, all OF which was carefully counted,
without expressing either impotence or sur.
prise, or, indeed, remark of any kind He was
invited into the bureau, and sitting down. COM
menced once more an examination of the ex.
nioits pleasantly SO considered) with the Pres
ident, and, when in proper state of confusion,
was handed the eloquent address, when he con.
tlnued his reading of that clear expose of the
Mushrat Excavation and Tddpole Slackvater
company When Mr.. Johnston returned to call
bis friend to dinner, he found Homespun fast
asleep, the address tumbled upon the foor, his
saddle bags at his side.
inkbine," said President Johnston, "this
man will kill me-"
"Only one day MORE" was the response.
At dinner, Mr.. Fiukbne managed. by the aid
of the servants, to add quantity of brandy to
the cider. Without noticing the change, the
guest INDUCED in his usual potations, and soon
ms flashed face gave evidence of the effect.
But they had no other. He was not only client
as before but carried on his countepance an
expression deep and firm as the eternal hills.
Mr.. Finkbine and the President gave over in
despair. The two bankers withdrew, and i'm.
mediately the silent old gentleman exhibited
an excitement truly astonishing. Edward and
Ella walked out upon the lawn, leaving the
Aunt and stranger together. Miss Amanda
johnston would have proposed following, but,
strange to say, she experienced singular diz-
illness, that made her fear to leave the sofa. In
tact, Miss Amanda had partaken Of the amend
ed cider, without knowing of its improve ment.
aud was now realizing its novel and bracine
effect The old gentleman drew his chair close
TO the sofa, and said
| I've been observin' on you pretty sharp,
| mum, since come into this house"
Indeed, sir" Miss Amanda said Chip
she noticed the fact herself
Yes, have, and l think / know good.
kindly, spry, movin' housewife, when meets
her."
"You wish to compliment me, sir" There
it was again, with and "thir" What could
| be the matter2
"Not bit. Now, spozen you was offered
house OF your own-your own house, Say, Just
as good one as this, only not 80 many jun
cracks in tall your own"
Really, do not understand you, sir"
"Well, l amt bit poetical; 80 here goes.
You've got me-that is, you know, my heart ::
your heart is gone, you know. Well, there
amt no use driving round-you've got me-
that's it."
why, sir, this is most extraordinary Ter.
fhronory) language. Let me beg of you to ex-
plain"
| "Well, now, there amt no use drivin' round
L say, you've got me. Pm an old fellow. not
only rich, but well TODD. I've got big farm
and big house, and not chick or child in
the world. Well, Pm lonesome, | am. I've
tried dogs and CATS and they amt of no man
ner of use. | adopted little fellow, and, blast
him, he liked to have burned my barn and kill
ed me. / tell you, I'm Internal lonesome"
am very sorry" pronounced sthorry)
What l want is, for you just to up and say
you'll be my partner, taken for better or worse.
What do you say to that, now 2"
Why really, this is 80 sudden, go unexpect
ed" (nearly broke down on "Mith, 18th, tho,
Mudden.")
"Well, we haven't much time to lose.
reckon you and I"-and the old gentleman
actually placed his arm around the slender
waist of Aunt Amanda.
Our dear Aunt futtered like bird
Indeed, indeed, l cannot permit this, sir
you are stranger-my brother "-I presume
this is what our Aunt Amanda purposed saying,
as it is the speech proper on such occasions.
But the utterance was extremely mixed, and
the sense uncertain.
away and, without adding another word, the
old gentleman sought Mr.. Johnston in the
library, and broke at once into the business by
SAYING
esquire, I've sudden made up my mind to
become part of your consarn-spozen all
hands within"
Mr.. Johnston, thinking he referred to the
Bank, responded, smilingly-
Indeed, my dear sir, am delighted. There
can be no possible objection, am sure"
81 don't see none myself eff you don't. I'm
queer old fellow, and Pm internal lonesome.
want something to keep one alive"
"An excellent idea, SIR"
"a very good idear for an old man, Ell! OF
course you want the particulars. You see nv
name is Jonathan Packwhistle; I've dealt in
stock all my life"
"Fancy stocks?"
"Now and then, not often, Squire; they're
too tender for this country. You pay pretty
high price, and then, before you can market the
article, it is just as likely to die on your hands,
leavin' nothin' there but horns and hide"
cha, ha; horns and hide-very good indeed
You'll find difference here promise you
this won't die on your hands. So, no fear Of
horns and hide"