Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1872-01-18


with jewel-cases and plate-ehests,whic
liberal young men had asked him to
take care of; and Mr.. Tabernacle, in
his shiny cane-bottomed chair, listened
with the points of his fingers tapping
against each other, TO Mr.. Percy Go
wer's little plea. He wanted ito raise
some more money, but he wanted this
to pay some old scores.
For, he thought it time to begin to
think-just to begin. you know-of
marrying as he said.
: 'Umph! Umphr said Mr.. Tabernacle,
. dark cloud settling on his face.
Money-lenders do say 'Umph!' when
money is tight and it is always tight.
'Umph p he said again.
| His daughter Myra had insisted upon
f coming to town with him, and upon
spending good deal of money for
mamma and herself. She was in the
J front-room, waiting; and the green
I baize door was not, though Tabernacle
did not know it, quite shut.
Percy sat still. He had heard the
dreadful monosyllable before-'Umph!'
'Sh-stay bit, said Tabernacle, turn
ing pale, and for once relapsing into a
pronunciation not recognized by Uni
! versity College. You said you thought
about settling, Mr.. Percy. Have you
your eye OH anyone?'
The lover of the Beautiful and True
said he had. He had, indeed, fixed his
eye rather tightly-since young men of
his condition are particularly eager,
when they see the Beautiful, ets., to try
to possess it.
We'll, ye-es,' returned Percy wonder
ing what it had to do with Tabernacle.
Umphn said the lawyer, speaking
harshly, and turning dreadful nasty
color. you must think of another set
tlement, Mr.. Percy.
what do you mean, Sirf' said the
gentleman, rising.
What say, Sir. Don't disturb your
self. Sit down a moment
Tabernacle spoke thick and quickly.
He was evidently in rage. Percy
was quite calm. The lover of the Beau
tiful tapped his elegant boot--made by
the best maker, of the best leather
with some assurance; and, looking
rather amused than angry, awaited his
solicitors convenience. For being q
lover of the Beautiful, be seemed to
have had arithmetic left out of his COM
position, and had some idea that he had
only to tap another vein of his fortune,
and he would again discover gold in
abundance.
Tabernacle unlocked tin box, richly
ljapanned in curious and inartistic red
dabs, and took ont a number of pa
pers.
Look at that, SIR he said. The So
licitor exhibited bill for e1OO from
Mr.. Babcock's the eminent jeweler, who
is always selling off in consequence of
increasing his wonderful stock. That
is for ring obtained some weeks ago.
'Here it is said Percy, looking fond
ly at it. "A very fine stone.'
tAnd very fine price, Mr.. Cover, Sir.
said Tabernacle,with triumphant grin.
4 bought that bill from Mr.. Babcock-
for consideration. He did not like to
wait for your money
Mr.. Percy half rose from his seat, and
turned crimson.
who authorized you to tamper with
my tradesmen p he asked, haughtily.
why, Pm your best FRIEND snigger-
ed Tabernacle. Go there tomorrow,
and they will trust you again. But
not after that
What do you mean?'
That you are not worth penny Mr..
Cover, Sir-you are up to the hilts ;and
that when your uncle dies, which may
not be for long years yet
Il hope so,' said Fercy, piously.
well, that's about the cruelst thing
to your creditors you ever said-and to
yourself too. Think of the interest,"
Percy was silent. He felt that what
Tabernacle said was true, and yet that
he dared not desire the death of his un-
Gle, whose continued lease of life was,
however, very unpleasant to him.
Surely he said, after pause you
can not be in earnest, Mr.. Tabernacle
know you take great deal ofinterest
In my affairs
'As to that said the lawyer, feeling
the word, though Percy had not intend
ed it, its very little principal get, Mr..
Cover. You were quite right when
you said you were about to settle, your
debts first, or marry a fortune, or be q
beggar. Who is she-tell mes'
The little money-lender was quite en-
ragged.
Myra peeped through the crack of the
door, and saw the indignant face of Per-
cy staring in great rage, and heard him
declaim against the insult.
Insult, or no insult, Mr.. Cover, said
the money-lender, your in my debt.
Every penny you have got, or will have
for years, won't pay me. 1 could send
you to prison tomorrow, Mr.. Cover,
I could. I've bought up all your little
bills-you have one or two out, you
know-and all your debts
What right had you, Sir?'
'The right that money has to employ
itself how it likes. 1 had my purpose,
Who is the lady?
what is that to you.'
"A great deal. Don't go. Sit still,
Mr.. Cover, Sir, and listen. Is she
rich?'
Il don't know that she has any prop
erty,' said Percy, laughing at the solicit
tors eagerness.
'Then she has none. If she had any,
you would soon have heard. Is the day
fixed?'
Tabernacle leaned forward, with his
sharp, pale countenance looking still
sharper, his eyes blinking and glisten-
ing 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 personal
property, very likely their pride would
make them less profuse and prohigate.
'Mr. Tabernacle, ifI were not obliged