Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1862-12-31


all, sir. Upon close inquiry. ! ascertain
ed that the big black-wAiskered man had
bought mp every one of my notes-at lit
tie less than their par value, too, (tor my
creditors had too much faith in me to sac
rifice them. sir, )-and with the aniiahle
design of effecting my ruin, no doubt
Ny gracious" exclaimed
Yes. Mr.. GynggO. suppose you would
call that proceeding of Black Whiskers'
quite compliment to my taste too.
wouldn't you? Well, sir. don't pretend
to say that my conclusions are ai,rays cor
rect: bat do say it never takes me long
to make up mind So in this instance
| instantly concluded that my quondam
friend. John Perley, was at the bottom OF
this business. and that. with his usual
cunning. he had devised His method of
reyenging himself upon me for fancied
wrongs that had committed. He was
the only man. excepting my trustworthy
book keeper, who could possibly know
who were the holders of my notes. Don't
you see? and the sequel shows that my
surmise was entirely correct. John Per-
lev ,cas at the bottom of it all. sir
You don't say so. Mr.. Tinderr
Yes. lido say so. Mr.. Gynggo; and will
making preparations to vacate my house.
| received note, signed Peter L. Jarvis,
(which was the name of the big black
whiskered man, informing me that he
would not take possession before the first
of March, and that | need not trouble
my mind about the matter until should
hear from him again. This arrang ement
suited me very well but could not con-
ceive what was the williams object in thus
delaying the blow. %
Il did not have to wait long for an ex-
PLANTATION of the mystery. The day after
receiving Jarvis note as was walking
along Main Stleet, deeply occupied with
MY own thoughts, | accidentally ran
against gentleman who was just turning
the corner of Chestnut Street. Looking
up to apologize. | met the features of
John Perley. .-.
''Why. Tom, my old friend = he cried.
man have been laoking for these two
hours, E
The fellows assurance astonished me,
sin. | did not deign word of reply. and
walked on. avoiding his hands.
| i had not gone three steps before felt
a grasp on my shoulder. Turning around
L
Shaking him of, | again walked ahea1. =
/ Upon entering Pine Street, on my way
down to the Leyee, looked back toward
the spot where had left John. He was
still standing there, looking as bewilder-
ed and disconsolate US a stray goose. 1t
positively did me good to find that the
man possessed some sensibility, and | in
wardly chuckled at the severe cut | had
grven him. hoped it would at least
teach him that ! saw through his willy
ischemes-the purse-pfoud. double-taced
lrascali'
Here | invoIuntarily interrupted Mr..
finder yith-'But, SIP, you should have
ispolSen to him, at least. 1t could have
done no harm, and might have resulted
in satisfactory explanation,
Mr.. Gynggo,' replied the Sensitive
Man, I must once more desire you to de-
fer giving your opinion upon my conduct
until ! get through with my narration
and then he resumed:
After concluding my morning walk, ]
returned home. Upon entering the sit
ting-room, sir, found that serpent, John
Rerley, seated at my hearth, in conversa-
tion with my wife! The edeceitfulwretch
was even playing with my youngest
daughter, whom he was fondling as If he
was the best friend wa .i,-,l e,ti tarth.-
And that man was about To ruin me and
turn US out OF our old homestead, sir =
These thoughts flashed like lightning
} through my brain. In another moment
John Rerley was upon his feet and adj
yancing towards me. ! instinctiyely
raised my cane 10 defend myself. But
he had no Intention of attacking me, ex-
cept with words-and they hurt ME more
than a blow from his fist would have
done.
"a. Tom Tinder.' he exclaimed, '~Lg
did you not apprise me of your troubles
before it was too late? Why did you not
, grant me the privilege of repaying por-
ton IF the debt ] owe you?
Mr.. Perley.' | replied, did not
: anticipate the misfortune; and if had.
sir, you were the last man tu whom !
would have applied for assistanee-if that
is what you mean
Tom Toni he cried, you pretend
to be just and fair in everything else
Why not with me? Even the convicted
criminal is permitted to say a word in his
own defence before judgement is passed
upon him. viii you allow me the same
privilege? Tom Tinder, l value your
friendship too much TO permit you to hold
your present feelings towards me without
at least attempting to set myself right in
your eyes
Proceed, SIR ! replied will be
pleased to hear what you may have to
say We took seats, and John Perley
continued;
Tom. will not dwell upon the con-
tempt with which you have treated my
letters. You returned many of them to
me unopened; but persisted in writing
to you. hoping that you would finally re-
ceive- them in the spirit with which
they were written. Need assure you
that would not haye so degraded myself
before any other man than Tom finder
But ] will not upbraid you, Tom. Let
that pass
"'Well sir.-what next? asked.
''Well Tom, have but few words tc
g add. The first intimation received Of
your failure was through the newspapers
= Knowing your extremely sensitive ma
ture. | dared not make direct offer oI
my services, and sO-and So"
.'And so, SIR
And so seeing an advertisement o.
your house, lot and furniture for sale,
resolved to act first and ask your permis
: sion afterward. | sent my head clerk
/ honest Peter Jarvis, to st. Louis, with in
| structions to purchase every article offer
| ed for sale by you, and not TO suffer the
= value of a pin to go into another's hands
t | also provided him with private letter
: to your trustworthy book keeper, (who
Y you may remember, was with US during
/ our former partnership with whose ASST
$ ance Jarvis managed to find out all you
{ noteholders. He bought your notes.
e Here they are, as well as the deed for thi
[ house and lot" And John Perley exhib
!, tied them neatly done up in slip Of pa
b per.
1 II suspected as much, | cried, starting
e to my feet; and now, sir, that am Il
}. yOuT po'eer, what doyou propose to do will
S me?
{ ''John looked at me in amazement, fo
' minute, still holding the notes and deet