Litchfield enquirer., 1873-07-10

ly made him abandon the venture, though he still aided the author. Mir. Tabernacle liked the young man-for we all admire our opposites; and there was free-hand- ed hberality about Percy Cover that made MT. Tabernacle jingle all over when he thought of it. He aided him as much as he could; but he took care to take his O U for every advance, with proper in- terest; and, by judicious depreciation, he managed to buy up a great many of MT. Percy's little bills.
 Hence he not unnaturally looked upon Percy as his property; and hence his fre- l quent visits to the little chapel where Dr. Smiler preached to a most select audi ence, and where Myra had been con- | verted.
 '1 wonder, do" said Mir. Tabernacle, ''what he comes here so often for. He's quite good young man, he is. When his uncle dies, now" Then Tabernacle was silent, and did a sum of mental arith- metic.
 On the other hand Percy was pondering what that charming young lady-who new CT had prayer-book, and was always in debted to gray-headed gentleman in the next pew for the use of his-could do in little Tabernacle's pew. Young gentle men who borrow money do not care much for the domestic relationships of their bankers; and there was a rumor among the set who knew him that MT. Taber- nacle was a gay bachelor, very familiar with the various theatres, aud on very in- innate terms with certain lady artistes whose portraits appear in the shop win met this charming young lady who sat in hn ab o11 i ton on the Reverend Smiler, and had danced with her; nay, he had heard her name from his hostess - Miss Myra Cav endish
 'Old Tabby's q lucky fellow," he thought. Where the douce does lie get so lovely companion-and so good a | one p he thought, as he buried his face in his hat, and prepared to take his seat for even at chapel he worshipped the Beautiful and the True He loved that which was lovely, and Myra's face was in deed full of sweetness and goodness. 'I'n ask him, tomorrow" said Percy, as the Reverend SH1iler, in his persuasive tones, rose and began with,- ''When the wicked man. And very fine elocutional exercise Smiler made of it. He won the hearts of those who listened reverentIy, and both Percy and Myra were among them. When the doctor read the absolution, Myra felt that she was reconciled to the Great Spir- it, and Percy forget his debts, his follies, I and seemed to be forgiven. It was three or four days after this that in MT. Tabernacle's little back-room Mr. Percy was seated. This room was lined not only with deed-boxes, but with jewel 1 cases and plate-chests, which liberal young l men-in regard to his goodness-had ask ed him to take care of; and Mr. Taberna- cle, in his shiny cane-bottomed chair, lis tened, with the points of fingers tapping against each other, to Mir. Percy Covers little plea. He wanted to raise some more money, but he wanted this to pay some | old scores.
 ''For," as he said, .'he thought it tune to begin to think--iust to begin, you know of marrying"
 ''Umphl" said Mr. Tabernacle, dark cloud setting on his face. ''Umph p Money-lenders do say "Umph P when money is ''tight;" and it is alway tight. Umph !" he said again.
 His daughter Myra had insisted upon coming to town with him, and upon spend ing good deal of money for dresses for mamma and herself She was in the front room, waiting; and the green baize door was not, though Tabernacle did not know it, quite shut.
 Percy sat still. He had heard the dread ful monosyllable before-''Umph!' ''Sh-stay bit," said Tabernacle, turn ing pale, and for once relapsing into a pronunciation rot recognized by Univer- sity college. ''You said you thought about settling, Mir. Percy. Have you your eye on any one ?''
 The lover of the Beautiful and True said he had He had, indeed, fixed his eye rather tightly-since young gentlemen of his condition are particularly eager, when they see the Beautiful, etc, to try to possess it.
 ''Well, ye-es," returned Percy, wonder ing what 1t had to do with Tabernacle. ''Umph p said the lawyer, speaking harshly, and turning very nasty color. ''You must think of another settlement, MT. Percy Gower.''
 ''What do you mean, sir ?" said the gentleman, rising
 "What say, sir. Don't disturb your self. Sit down moment" Tabernacle spoke thick and quickly. He was evidently in rage. Percy was quite calm. The lover of the Beautiful 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 a lover of the Beautiful he seemed to have had arithme- tic left out of his composition, and had some idea that he had only to tap another l vein of his fortune, and he would again | discover gold in abundance. Tabernacle unlocked tin box, richly iapanned in curious and inartistic red dabs, and took out number of papers. Hook at that, sir, he said. The solic- itor exhibited bill for e100 from Mir. Babcock's the eminent jeweler, who is al- ways selling off in consequences of increas- ing his wonderful stock. ''That is for a ring obtained some weeks ago" 'sHere it is," said Percy, looking fondly at it. GA very fine stone"
 ''And very fine price, MT. Gower, sir, |" said Tabernacle, with triumphant grin. s'I bought that bill from Mir. Babcock- for 8 consideration. He did not like to wait for your money"
 MT. Percy half rose from his seat, and turned crimson. "Who authorized you to tamper with my tradesmen ?" he asked, haughtiIy. I'Why, I'm your best friend, sniggered Tabernacle .'Go there tomorrow, and they will trusht you again. But not after l that.
 'What do you mean ?'
 ''That you are not worth penny, Mir. Gower, sir-you are up to the hilts; and that. when your uncle dies, which may not be for long years yet 'fI hope so, said Percy, piously. Well that's about the cruelest thing to your creditors you ever said-and to your self 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 uncle whose continued lease of life was, how. ever, very unpleasant to him. Surely he said, after pause, ''you can not be in earnest, MT. Tabernacle? ] know you take great deal of interest ir my affairs"
 "As to that said the lawyer, feeling the word, though Percy had not intended it, sits very little principal get, MT. Gower, sir. You were quite Tight when