Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1872-02-02
y tradesmen ?" he asked

haughtily. SEQ oni i1""# ~ ..
"Why, I'm your best friends" snig-
gered Tabernacle. go. there to-mor-
row, and they viii trust you again. But
not after that'a b. - ST 8 'i'" +
!. j" What do you mean2r ydl '<"'' ="
" That you are, not, worth a penny,
Mr., Cover, Sir-you are upato@ the
hilts'; and that, when your uncle
dies, which may not be for long years
yet-pHee at''to.as @E"~
"I hope so,'' said Percy, piously.o J.
Well, that's about the cruelest
thing to your creditors you ever said
and to yourself, too. Think of the in
terest.mdj a3 3..jje e#a'r ss"f'
Percy was silent He felt that what
Tabernacle said was true, and yet that
he dared not desire the death of his
uncle, whose continued lease of life was,
however, very unpleasant to him.
"Surely," he said, after a pause, ''you
cannot be in earnest, Mr.. Tabernacle :?
/ know you take a great deal of interest
in my affairs" .....
AS to that" said the lawyer, feeling
the word, though Percy had not in
tended it, it's very little principal /
get, Mr.. Cover, Sir. You were quite
right when you sad you were about to
settle but you must settle your debts
first, or marry fortune, or be beggar.
Who is she-tell me ?"
The little money.lender was quite en-
ragged.
Myra peeped through the crack of
the door, and saw. the indignant face
Of Percy staring in great rage, and
heard him declaim against the insult.
Insult or no insult, Mr.. Cover,
Sir" said the money-lender, "you're in
my debt. Every penny you have got,
or will have for years, won't pay me.
| could sent you to prison tomorrow,
Mr.. Cover, Sir, I could. I've bought
up all your little bills-you have one
or two out, you know--and all your
debts" ....-. l.,y.
'.e :" What right had you, Sir"
"The right that money has to, en-
,ploy itself how it likes. had my pur-
pose, Sir. Who is the lady?n ie Ea' u
"What the devils that to you ?"
" A good deal. Don't,g go. Sit still,
MIR. Cover, Sir, and listen. Is she
rich ~ 2avs @ta co3i g. -f2n"i $50 ,,;.. o.
81 don't know that she has any pro-
perty," said Percy, laughing at the SO.
1icitofs eagerness. III. .,-...... -rf iis
= "Then she has none. If she had any
you would soon have heard. Is the day.
fixed ?" .vul 8
Tabernacle leaned forward, with his
sharp, pale countenance looking still
sharper, his eyes blinking, and gls-
tening under his white eye lashes, and
a world of power and insolence in his
tone. -"'
IF young heirs knew that their credi-
tors looked upon them as their per-
sonal property, very likely their pride
would make them less profuse and
profigate. ........l..., D '''
"Mr. Tabernacle, if 1 were not OBJ
obliged to you by former kindne ess-
which certainly begin now to sus-
pect-I should throw you out of the
window. AS it is, l will humor you. I
have not even proposed to the young.
lady. L" ~rI
"All right, Mr.. Cover, Sir" cried
Tabernacle, radiant in a moment" all
right, Sir. Then there's no fear the
pet plan of my heart will not be defeat
ed: Oh, Mr.. Cover, Sir, how you have
furried me p
The little mealy man sat down, and
famed himself with handkerchief.
Percy, utterly bewildered, fell to his
seat. Myra, listening to her fathers
harsh, insulting tones, and recognizing
the young man, whom she had already
half loved-for she too had taste for
the Beautiful-thrilled with indigna-
ton at her fathers rudeness, and with
shame when she knew his true occu-
patton.
"Mr. Cover, Sir" said Tabernacle
a great drop of perspiration running
down the side Of his nose, and dropping
on his blotting-pad-" Mr.. Cover, l
like you; more than thot, love you
by" he struck the pad with his
r11ler-"I do. You are so different
from usl Scuse me, Sir, but I put the
pot on you-I did, by Moses"
Nature resumed her sway. Mr.. Davis
Tabernacle swore by his patriarch, and
was at ease.
10 "I don't mind telling you, Sir"-this
was in answer to Mr.. Percy Covers
smile" that bought up all your debts
for purpose" q .s"
Percy started. niHiuvm ifa"~ r
'f's 1t was a good purpose, Mr.. Cover,
Sir ?'' said the little man, with whine.
III wanted to set you free-I did, by
Heaveni'
Percy, at this strange confession,
acted on the impulse of the moment. 4
" Generous MANI he said, grasping
his solicitors hand. lend, al, T.,
" But it was for purpose. will be
honest, Sir. You owe upwards of thir-
ty thousand pounds, more or less. l
have bought all these to give you, to set
you, free upon your rightful lands-fne
lands I've seen them all. You will be
like a little king, Sir but on one con
dition.n nfj 80 -'' .
Percy started. dInl " 4'9 .
~ Could there be such real generosity
Could a. West End solicitor unite the
fabulous u characters of Mr.. Ralph
and the Brothers Cheeryble!
But the question was put but for. a mo- q
ment. The soft, insinuating, mean
tone of Mr.. Tabernacle made every
nerve of Percy tingle, and caused
Myra-who, in spite of herself, could
not but listen--to be suffused with
blushesao III s504s odw atmsns tGHm
; Percy drew himself up, and asked,
haughtily, I'D I3iH saon tad1
" Upon what condition ~ rnixsa
The answer came in an eager whisper.
I" That you marry my daughter p pos.
Myra heard it, and sank upon her
knees in shame. i,c, .9e. Il
Percy stared. He did notieven know,
nor had cared to inquire, if his solicitor
had daughter. .as .g :,
" You shall have all your bills, and
twenty tho11i. into the bargain-You