Eaton weekly Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1866-1875, 1872-02-01

haugnIlly.
"Why, Pm your best friend," snig-
gered Tabernacle. $50 there to-mor-
row, and they will trust you again. But
not after that"
"What do you mean?"
That you are not worth a penny,
Mr.. Cover, Sir-you are up to the
hilts; and that, when your uncle
dies, which may not be for long years
yet"
"I hope so," said Percy, piously.
"Well, that's about the cruelest
thing to your creditors you ever said
and to yourself, too. Think of the in
terest."
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 pause, ''you
cannot be in earnest, Mr.. Tabernacle :?
I know you take a great deal of interest
in my affairs"
GAS to that" said the lawyer, feeling
the word, though Percy had not in
tended it, " it's very little principal I
get, Mr.. Cover, Sir. You were quite
right when you sal d 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 ney-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 for.
I could sent you to prison tomorrow,
Mr.. Cover, Sir, 1 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 en-
ploy itself how it likes. l had my pur-
pose, Sir. Who is the lady ?"
"What the DEVILS that to your"
A good deal. Don't go. Sit still,
MIR. Cover, Sir, and listen. Is she
rich?"
az don't know that she has any pro-
perty," said Percy, laughing at the So
icitor's eagerness.
"Then she has none. If she had any
you would soon have heard. Is the day
ixed2''
Tabernacle leaned forward, with his
sharp, pale countenance looking still
sharper, his eyes blinking, and glis-
tening under his white eye-lashes, and
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
prohigate.
"Mr. Tabernacle, if I were not OBJ
obliged to you by former kindness
which certainly 1 begin now to sus-
pect-I should throw you out of the
window. As it is, l will humor you.
have not even proposed to the young
lady. IL
GAN right, Mr.. Cover, Sir" cried
Tabernacle, radiant in moment" all
pet plan of my heart will not be- defeat
ed:. Oh, Mr.. Cover, Sir, how you have
furried me l'
The little mealy man sat down, and
famed himself with a 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 1oved-for she too had a 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 perspirati0n running
down the side of his nose, and dropping g
on his blotting-pad-" Mr.. Cover, 1
| like you; more than thot, love you
by" he struck the pad with his
I ruler-"I do. You are so different
from usl Scuse me, Sir, but put the
pot on you-I did, by MosesI ~
| Nature resumed her sway. Mr.. Davis
Tabernacle swore by his patriarch, and
was at ease.
al don't mind telling you, sir''-this
was in answer to Mr.. Percy Covers
| smile" that bought up all your debts
for purpose"
at was a good purpose, Mr.. Cover,
Sir ?" said the little man, with whine.
81 wanted to set you free-I did, by
Heavenr
Percy, at this strange confession,
| acted on the impulse of the moment
Generous man !" he said, grasping
his solicitors hand.
But it was for purpose. l will be
honest, Sir. You owe upwards of thir-
ty thousand pounds, more or less.
have bought all these to give you, to set
you free upon your rlghtful lands-hne
lands; I've seen them all. You will be
like little king, Sir; but on one con-
dition."
Percy started.
Could there be such real generosity !
Gould West End solicitor unite the
fabulous characters of Mr.. Ralph
Nickleby and the Brothers CHEEKY BILE! |!
But the question was put but for mo-
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
bushes.
Percy drew himself up, and asked,
haughtily,
Upon what condition 7''
The answer came in an eager whisper.
"That you marry my daughterr'
Myra heard it, and sank upon her
knees in shame.
Percy stared. He did not even know,
nor had cared to inquire, if his solicitor
| had daughter.
| "You shall have all your bills, and
! twenty thou into the bargain-you
shall, SO help me heavenl She's as good
as gold-and gold you shall have with
her. Your uncle can't last long, and