Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1867-12-04
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COLLECTING 4 BAD DEBT.


topmost stratum Of one Of those immense human
beehives that people call "tenemeut houses, "a
room where washtubs and children, kettles and
kittens, potato-pairings and clothes pins were
scattered about ia reckless disregard OF the divine
principles Of order DIR. Maynard stood still in
the middle Of the chaos. afraid to move lest he
should step in the starch bowl or on one Of the
children who swarmcd about the floor.
DR. Maynard had recently come into possession
Of this property by the death OF a relative, nor
was he particularly pleased with his new acquis-
ton. The few weekly visits he had made were
not accompanied by any particularly agreeable
"reminiscences in fact he dreaded them. as a civ
ilzed colonist might dread an irrupton into the
savage iunges of African wildemesses. Dr. Nav
nard had always made human nature a study; but
this seemed scarcely human in its odd, Celtic de-
yelopments.
"Of all people / ever stumbled across, said
DR.. Maynard, " the Irish are the most improv-
dent What is the reason can never get myrcut
on this loory The German people down stairs
are always ready and my American tenants are a
model of punctuality. It is really very unac-
countable thing 20 me :"
Sure sir, 'tisnt my fiult. said Mrs Tooley
lil6ng the corner of her coarse checked apron to
her eyes, partly to check Catcars that always rose
readily TO her muddy blue eyes, and partly TO hide
that Hush Of modification that suffused her freck-
led cheek while Terry and Mike and little No
rah clung TO their mothers voluminous skirts in
sort OF vague apprehension that something was
wrong, although their tiny minds could hardly
take in the fall meaning OF the catastrophe that
was disturbing their domestic peace.
Not your fault, Mrs. Iooley?' repeated Dr..
MAYNARD, In sharp accents &" But 1t never is
your fault, according to- your story
"My man is sick, sir, wild the rheumatic in his
knce-ioint" apologized the lrishwoman, and it's
hard work we have TO get along, aud provide the
bit and the sup for the GROWN chldher; mesef
knows the rint ought TO be paid, and if you'll have
little patience, sir
Patience, patience, patience,n r. calculated the
doctor, each word uttered IN a KEY somewhat
higher than the last Zone ought to have the
patience of Job to get along with such a pack Of
tenants as | have. WHY don't YOU work yn
Mrs Tooley glanced a little reproachiully at
the wash tub in the corner--a sort of altar, en-
shrined in the incense of steaming soapsuds.
"Indade, sir, try my best; and | had hoped
10 have the money ready for you to-day, but Mrs.
Napier put me Oft as she's done manya time, bad
luck 10 her. It's the girls new dresses cost so
much, says She. You're too impudent altogeth-
er, Bridget, SAYS she-lnd me staryin for money
that's me own, aud not hers at all, at all ?"
do youmean Mrs John Napier asked DIR.
Maynard.
. Sure, do, sir. and its nine dollars and sixty
cents she's OWN me for the sweat of me brow aud
the wear and tear OF mehard-workng hands, said
Bridget Tooley, looking down at the red and par
boiled members aforesaid.
" Aud won't she pay you n
"Niyer a red cent SIR though | told her how
Patrick had the rheumatic and the children hadn't
bread and salt 20 be comfortable She's niyer
paid me since [ began to wash for her five weeks
ago the very last Tuesday that ever was n
It's a shame, said DIR. MAYNARD, laconically.
Sure an it is, sir" asssnted Bridget, ineekly
." but what poor body do =
DR.. Myahard murmered something under his
breath. Mrs. Tooey could Just catch here and
there a disiointed word Of the old Bible sentence
having regard to grinding the faces OF the
poor;'
Bridget, you are not much to blame as |
thought you were,n said be. ~ mder tone,
he turned abruptly Oh his heel " I'll call again
next week it's more than likely you'll have the
money by that time.
The blessn Of all the saints be about yez and
over yez. wwhined the reievtd Bridget.
But the unceremonious closing OF the door cut
short Mrs Tooey's shower Of blessings and un-
necessary details Dr. MAYNARD went slowly down
the echoing, uncarpeted stairs, with his hands in
his pockets, and bis brows contracted, in a brown
study
As he entered his office, several blocks below,
the first thing that met his eye a note, written
pertumed pink paper, and sealed with gOr-
geous heraldic device in rose coored wax.
Hum-m ~ mutered the doctor, between lis
closed lips. " Mr. Napers compliments; pleas
sure of DR.. Mavnard's company to dinner on
Thursday evening next. at o'clock" Another
OF their champagne and turbot celebrations, Ell
Well-wc--well these things are not much to
my fancy, but believe I'll 30 this time | believe
Twill repeated the doctor, thoughtlully strok-
ing his chin, a habit he often had when his mind
busy at work.
And then he sat down to his desk and wrote
formal note Of acceptance, stiff and short as he
was himself.
The Napier mansion, a snowy edice of stucco
and plate glass, after a rather doubtful style of
architecture, was all in a blaze OF light aud aow-
ers when Dr. Maynard arrived there on that event
tul Thursday evening, few minutes before six o.
clock Mrs. Napier in a sver-green MORE an
uque, and quiverIng ornaments OF pearls, receiy
ed him with smiling urhanity and Miss Ihedosia
Agnes Napier, in an artless toilette of white mus
lin and half open rosebuds, embematic OF her
own youth, directed her sweetest glances toward
thu still old bachelor doctor, whose wealth
puted to be SO considerable. Other guests were
also assembled-the elite Of the city-and Mrs.
Napier's heart thrilled with pride and pleasure as
she glanced round upon the various persouages
grouped about her rooms.
Mrs Napier was a Napoleon in social liie--an
Alexander in crinoliue. II she had been a man
she would have left an impress on the shores of
time; being woman her sphere was necessarily
more contracted, Born parvenu, she had resolv-
ed, from the very first, TO conquer The walled cit
adels OF society. Always struggling with limited
means adverse circumstances, and unlucky com
binations OF events, Mrs Napier had yet set her
self 20 work to conquer taie, and she had nearly
achieved her purpose. Outward appearances were
her forte; and as to principle, Mrs. Napier was
as unserhpulous rs any modern European states
man. Now, at length, She was beginning 10 reap
the harvest she watched and waited so long for,
and her spirit rose up within her eNultant, IN spite
of the superclious insolence with which many
.sFa fr.auN uN...lh hon