The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-06-17

owe me nothing for preserving your life, but
you owe me lot for saving you from crime" |
'Ah! it is very well for you to talk, young /
man; but you do not know what hope de- |
ferred is; to see fortune just within your
grasp, and never be able to seize her; TO be |
neglected, laughed at, when you know you |
have reason on your side.
Tom, who had set his heart on effecting a |
cure encouraged him to talk The man was
en- inventor, who had the bad luck of his
tribe-one of his discoveries had been dis
covered already by somebody else; others
had made the fortunes of those to whom he
had intrusted the working of them, while he
himself had received mere pittance. So, at
last, when he had perfected machine which
would save manufacturers of certain de-
scription full ten per cent. on their outlay,
he determined to work the patent himself.
AS he was a poor man, however, he had to
start on borrow ed capital and Just as he was
on the point of success, the lender of the
money came down upon him; either mis-
trusting the speculation, or anxious to secure
the profits for himself. There was no help
for it; the bills were due; the debtor had not
got the money to meet them with; and the
creditor refused to renew. The poor me-
chanician felt as if fate were against him, and
in the poignancy of his despair determined
to put an end to himself.
''Well, said Tom, in a fever, "but how
much are these bills for that are out against
your"
with interest, fifteen hundred pounds"
THAT would set you quite free?"
''Quite."
''And how much more would start your
invention fairly, so that it might begin to
pay?"
''If had another thousand, success would
be certain"
''WeIl look here" cried the imprudent
Tom; Il have only got five thousand pounds
in the world, so do not hurt me without get
ting any good yourself. But if, on going
over the matter carefully, there really seems
good prospect of making the thing pay for
an expenditure of two thousand five hundred,
we will go into partnership"
1t was wonderful thing to see how the
light of hope and triumph flashed upon Col
Inns face as he heard these words.
'Come, come to my lodgings, said he,
''and will satisfy you-Oh, L can bear the
journey to London well enough, never fear"
Tom Chatteris knew nothing whatever
about mechanical contrivances; but he had a
certain amount of general intelligence; and
Collins explanation of his model was SO lucid
that 1t became evident enough that, supposing
| he was right about the present state of that
description of machinery, he had improved
upon it very considerably. He supported his
views of the case by letters from well-known
| firms consenting to give his patent trial,
|
when ready; and he also had account-books
and other memoranda showing the state of
| forwardness in which his little manufactory
was when siienced for want of the sinews of
| trade.
In short, a good deal less would have
suficed to determine Tom whose impulsive
| and speculative nature had caught fire at the
| others enthusiasm. Neck or nothing, he
went heart and soul into the affair; sold out
| three thousand pounds took up the bills, and
provided Collins with the means of COM
pleting his orders as soon as possible.
He was little damped on Sunday, when
he went to the Fassils'. Ju., indeed, was
pleased enough to learn that he had at last
heard of something" but when he was off
with her brother for the hebdomadal walk, he
got rarely croaked at. .
'Oh, Tom, Tom, said William Fassil, sT
would not have believed such green trick
possible! To cut down a madman who hangs
himself is all very we'll, but to go into part
nership with him afterwards !"
''Of course, it sounds queer, if you put it
in that epigrammic way, said Tom; 'but
believe it is real good thing for all that"
well, said Fassil, ''you certainly always
were the most wonderful fellow to fall on
your legs ever did know; that is one COM
fort"
CHAPTER Iv.-sAFE UP TO THE SURFACE.
l am SO sorry to be unable to say, or even
|
what branch of industry it applied. If
were to do 80, very many people might name
names, and Mr.. s. p. Collins would not like
his real one divulged in connection with that
suicidal episode. He often confesses, indeed,
that at one period of his life he was, for a
short time, in terrible state of suspense;
but he does not intend to be taken literally
, You must, therefore, take Tom Chatteris'
marvellous piece of luck on trust, and without
veIiication; for the success of the scheme in
which he had embarked with gambler 8
desperation was never in doubt from the day
that Collins completed his first order; and
Tom embarked the rest of his capital and all
his time in the affair.
At the end of twelvemonth, he was in q
position to marry Ju. Fassil, who likes the
North, where they live, and is gradually de-
scorn than love, for all people who are not
rich. But she is very charming in her own
self, and an angel at home.
) Tom chuckles inwardly to notice her unwit-
ting adoption of the pursy hauteur, but re-
frains from quizzing her, for that particular
manner pays in their neIghborhood. goose
! who kept her head down in flock where all
the long necks were erect, would run the
, chance of being stuffed.
AS for Tom himself, he has developed into
a capital man of business, so far as action
) and energy are concerned though, of course,
if his partner died. the best thing he could
do would be to take to farming, or some con-
genial pursuit of that kind. He hunts twice
: a week, keeps good table, believes in his
wife to any extent, plays at no game but
= whist, and never exceeds half crown points.
Ia Vlafr he lsnoa m auaoi iac