The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1869-12-17

luence partly of the unusual excel
ience of the present rice harvest, and
psrtly owing to other recent and un-
expected receipts to considerable
amount, the capital and interest Of
the debt would be duly paid off al
the proper time. As, however, Mr..
Ackland, in his letter, had expressed
the intention of going to Charleston
about that time, he (Mr. Cartwright)
begged to remind him that he could
not reach Charleston without pass
ling through Richmond on his way
thither. He trusted therefore, that
Mr.. A. would afford him that opper.
tunity of offering to his New Eng
land friend a sample OF the hospital
Iity for which old Virginia was Justly
celebrated. He was naturally anx
Iious to he the first Southern gentle
man to entertain his distinguished
correspondent on Virginian soil. He,
therefore, trusted that his esteemed
friend would honor him by being his
guest at Glenoak for a few days; the
more so, as he was desirOus not only
of introducing Mr.. A. to some OF the
most distinguished men of Virginia,
but also of furnishing him with let
ters to many influential friends OF
his in South Carolina, whose acquain-
tance Mr.. A. would probably find
useful in the course OF his business
in Charleston. If therefore, Mr.. A
could manage to be at Richmond on
the - proximo, he (Mr. c would
have the honor of meeting him there,
and conducting him to Glenoak,
where all would be IN readiness for
the immediate and satisfactory set
tlement of their accounts
When MIR. Ackland received this
letter, he was sitting in his office at
Boston, and conversing with his
cousin, Tom Ackland. Tom Ack-
land was a rising young lawyer, and
the only living relative of our MIR.
John Ackland, of the firm of Ack-
land Brothers. Ackland's other
brother, who was also Ackland senior,
had died some years ago, and Ack-
land Junior had since then been car
rying on the business of the firm, not
very willingly, and not very success
fully.
"What do you think of that, Tom p
said Mr.. John Ackland, tossing over
the letter to his cousin.
"Well," said Tom, after reading it
through, hastily enough, IL think
you had better accept the invitation,
for l suspect it is about the only
thing you will ever get out of Philip
Cartwright. As to his paying up, l
don't believe a word of what he says
on that score.'
"Idon't much believe in it neither y
said Mr.. John, "and I'm sadly afraid
the debt is a bad one. But | can't
afford 10 lose it; and twill he a
great bore 10 have to fOreclOse.
Even then, too, l sha'n't recover half
of the capital. What do you think,
Tom 2
Mr.. Ackland spoke with weary
tone of voice and an undecided man
ner, like a man who ia tired of some
load he is either too weak or too lazy
to shake off.
swell, you must pass through
Richmond, Jack, and GlenOak will
be as pleasant a halt as You can
have. Drink as much of Cartwright's
wine, and smoke as many OF his ci-
gars as you can for l doubtif you'll
get back any of your money except
in that kind. However, you can af
ford to lose it, SO don't be so down.
hearted, man. And as for this
Charleston business
"Ohr' said John Ackland, impa
tiently, "the best part OF the Charles
town business is that it is not Boston
business. l am longing, Tom, to be
away from here, and the sooner the
better. Have you heard Il did yes
terday at Albion) that Mary, l mean
Mrs. Mordent, and her husband are
expected back in Boston next
month ?"
"Ah, Jack, lack 20 exclaimed Tom,
"you will get over this sooner than
YOU think, man, and come back to us
one of these days with a bouncing,
black-eyed, Calolinian beauty, and
half a dozen little Ackland brothers
and sisters too"
81 have got over it, Tom. At my
time of life, / don't think there is
much to get over"
Your time of life, Jack! What
nonsense
swell, I am not a patriarch, Ger
tainly,' said Mr.. Ackland. "But
don't want to be patriarch, Tom
and don't think / ever shall be .
patriarch. The best part of my life
was short enough, Heaven knows
and hope (now that it is over thai
the worst part of it won't be very
Ilong. don't think it iciH be very
long. Tom. Anyhow, I have nj
mind to meet Mr.. and Mrs. MOrdeL
again just now, so l shall accep
Cartwright's invitation, and now. fo
mercy's sake, no more about business
for to-day, Tom"
He did accept the invitation and
at the date proposed, john Acklant
arrived at Richmond late in the even
ing of a hot June day. He was mucI
fatigued by his long journey and tn
heat OF the weather; and not at al
sorry to accept an invitation (whicl
he received through Cartwright, Wit
, met him on his arrivaD from Mr.
ID, the accomplished editor o
!, the Richmond Courier, to sup ant
sleep at that gentleman's house be
fore going on to Glenoak. Mr.
,ID-having heard from Cartwright
} of Mr.. Ackland's intended visit Il
the South, and knowing that he coul'
, not arrive In Richmond till late in th
evening, had, with true Virginia hos
; pitality, insisted on the two gentle
men passing the night at his hous
t in town; and it had been arrange'
THAT Cartwright should drive MI
slD- and Mr.. Ackland over t.
t Glenoak on the following day. MI
D | Ackland was very cordially receives
i by his Richmond host, an agreeabl
and cultivated man. The fatigue
!. his long journey secured him a goo
e nights rest; and, being an earl
j. riser. he had INDUCED his curiosit
i. Iby a solitary stroll through the towI
4 before the three gentlemen met 9