Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1868-08-14


fore me, his Junior, / did venture to re-
mark Come, Bunce, you will at least
not he in hurry about this matter of
poor Charley; perhaps l may have to tell
you something about it to morrow which
may cause you to think differently OF
him"
"You mean well, Coe, and thank you"
said he, gravely. "But l shall see my
lawyer TO night. and give him such in
structions as will at all events, prevent
my property falling, after my decease,
into the hands of the betting-ring."
Stern had often seen Nicholas Bunce,
but bitter never. l was glad to see him
bitter, for it was proof he had been
wounded sore, and unless he had dearly
loved the lad, Charley's conduct would
not have had the power so to wound him
Now, where there has once been Love,
there is always room for Reconciliation;
and as soon as Uncle Bunce was round
the corner, took hanson to the Sword
and Gun Office.
1t had been arranged long ago that, on
the next evening, my partner and should
dine together at the formers house and
we did so. At one time, Charley had been
asked, but that was all over now, of
course. Uncle Bunce had not come to the
city that day, and it was evident, by his
wearied and melancholy manner, that he
had been occupied in something distressing
and disagreeable; indeed, have no doubt
that he had been remaking his will. |
was not one whit afraid of the old gentle.
man, but | was resolved to put good face
upon the matter. "Your good health,
Nicholas" said |, as he pushed the claret
to me after dinner, and Clarleys good
health"
Uncle Bunce started as if he had been
stung.
II do not wish to have that young
mans name mentioned in my hearing
observed he.
"After tonight you shall not hear it,
unless you please" said | "but | must
have my say for this once. told you
l should do so yesterday, and l
promised him the same last night. Then
l shall have discharged my conscience; {;
and if you choose to let your nephew SO
to the dogs, it will be through no omission
of mine. l have neither eXtenuation nor
apology to make for him
81 should think not" interposed Uncle
Bunce
"Your thought is founded, however,
upon wrong premises, Nicholas. / have
neither to make for him, simply because
he needs none"
Needs none !" echoed the old man, and
although his tone was meant to he con-
temptuous, l thought detected in it an
accent Of hope.
"I mean what 1 assert, old friend" re-
piled 1, quietly. "The lad has behaved, l
will not say as any other young man
would have behaved in the like circum-
Stances for that phrase is often used to
excuse an indiscretion, but will say this,
and then have done with it, He has be-
haved as true gentleman, and Especially
as good man Of business, in the whole mat
ter" 1 held up the wineglass between my
eye and the light, and smacked my lips
like one who, having relieved his mind,
may now afford to enjoy himself.
Uncle Bunce seemed to gasp for air.
"What the deuce why, you're making
a fool of me-" exclaimed he savagely.
"Do you mean to tell me he did not go
down to the Derby?"
"Of course he did. The government
sent him"
"The- government - sent-him?" re-
peated my respected partner like one in a
dream.
"Just So" said 1. "but don't let me
trouble you with the particulars OF
subject which l see is distaste-
full to you, and about which
you have quite made up your mind
have now performed my duty in the mat,
ter and there's an end of it. This is good
wine. If it's no secret, may ! ask what
did you give for it dozen?"
"Fifty pounds. Fifty pounds to ten
against Pdlmyr0," muttered the old man.
Then: ats all a lie, COe," cried he sud
denly. "How dare you talk to me about
the government sending"
"Mr. Bunce," interrupted firmly, 81
will not endure such language You may
be as brutal and unjust as you please to
your own flesh and blood, but you shall
not bully me. am not in the habit OF
telling lies The fact is this (if you really
wish to hear the fact, and not merely &c
fiatter your own preconceived opinlons)
Charley Thornton could not have avoid
ed But stop; first answer me one thing
If Messrs. Bar and Bullion had Offered
you holiday on the Derby day, when
you were clerk in their office, upon the
condition that you would go and see the
Race, would you have accepted it, ol
would you not?"
"Well, suppose should" said Uncle
| Bunce, reluctantly.
"No, you don't; you are sure you would
you'd have gone like q shot Well tina
being granted, you and your nephew ar
in the same boat. The government CAV
a holiday on the Derby day to the clerk
in the Sword and Gun Office, upon tn
condition have mentioned, and all thos
who availed themselves Of the offer pledgeC
their word to use the opportunity as /
was intended to be used. If Charley
having obtained his days leave, had no
gone to EPSON Down, he would have be
haved unlike gentleman. That's clear,
hope"
"The government ought to be ashame,
of themselves !" observed Uncle Bunce.
avery likely; but your nephew is no
the government, and although hear froI
the chief of his department a most excel
lent account of the young fellow, it is nc
. likely he ever will be- Thus, you see, t
begin with, so far from shirking his dutie
to the Derby, Charley only obeye
cheerfulness. This is certainly eXceller
wine"
"Did the government make him bC
fifty to ten pounds against Palmyra ?
, inquired the old gentleman grimly, after
long silence.
"The government didn't, but the OfiC
did" said l, "in this way. There was
} Derby sweep got up among the Sword an
Gun clerks, as is always the case at ever
government office; and Charley put in h
sovereign like the rest. Perhaps that WI
: wrong or him but if you never did wors
2 friend Nicholas, when you were youn
man, all l can say is, you were too goo
: to live, and l shouldn't hncy yO
| were ever likely to die of that complaint
t rose, and going to the window that locke
. out into the quiet street, threw ii up, to i
4 in the summer air. "COme, come; you
4 forgive his putting into the sweep, said
4" don't ask you to be generous, but 20 |
) just"
: forgive him that, of course, but f,
the bet will not forgive him How is
e possible that the Office could have had an
l thlng TO do with his makinga bet which,
7 he had lost, he could never pays"
l he won It, said l, quietly; "and