American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1874-02-21
VOL. NXIV.

any difficulty at although it was quit,
a proper, though needless, precaution
and he named to me a man, one Wilks
whom | new very well, and to be a good
responsible man. There was no doubt o
his consent, but as matter OF form
would be as well to ask him. In thu
course of the next day ] had a note from
William saying laconically, "All right
will come tomorrow night" So | with
drew nv deposit, and waited at home t.
meet Master William.
He came next night in the highes
spirits
"Wer, I've succeeded admirably; bet
ter than | could possibly have expected
In point of fact l shall no longer wan
your help Still, l shall be ever CRATE fu
to YOU; and some other time | may have
another good thing open"
Then you've got the money" / said
"Well, William, am glad of it. 1t has
put me to a little Inconvenience with
| drawing my deposit, and so on but never
mind that-I'm glad your friends have
such confidence in you"
II haven't got the money yet, but I'm
to have it tonight; in fact, Wilks entered
into the matter at once, in the handsomesi
way. Look here he said; Il daresay
our friend Malam hasn't any too much
cash at his bankers, but l know him to
be good, honest fellow; now,' he said
ri advance the money"
That's very good of Wilks," said.
wasn't it?-no consulting my law
YER there, Malam come, old friend,
only my joke, you know; but he says,
| 'I'll advance the money, and Malam shall
| be security 1t comes to just the same
thing, you see"
us it the same things" I said, doubt
fully.
haven't got a mathematical head, and
these commercial transactions generally
bother me- 1t seemed very much like
the same thing, only reversed, but then
was it?
'But is it the same thing, William"
I said again.
at is precisely the same thing to me-
cried William.
ooh, it's much better for you-you
don't have to part with the money, you
see''
"Yes," said, sit seems very much
better, as you say, but then it isn't quite
what we agreed to. l don't suppose the
difference is material, but, as l have CON
suited my friend the lawyer in the extern
sive practice in the city, about it. don't
think it would do for me to alter the ar
rangement he pointed out without asking
his opinion as to the alteration"
Now, | could see William was a good
deal annoyed about this, but what could
do?
William took away his papers in a huff,
and didn't see him again in a year. Yes,
it was at least a year after that wilkins,
the messenger, came into my room when
l was having my luncheon-half pint of
porter and an acknowledgement gave me a
little bit of crumpled paper done up in the
form of note "There's young person
in the waiting-room says she'll wait for an
answer"
Dear Malam," said the note, twill you
send me a sovereign by bearer, my
daughter Annabel, your granddaughter, for
a particular purpose? Don't fail"
"Ill see her myself, Wilkins" l re-
marked to the messenger, and went out
into the waitin room. There are general
ly a good many people in the waiting
room and so there was on this OCCASION
people waiting for an interview with the
heads of departments-and there perched
on the table was my god-daughter Anna
bel Brown. must say that l felt little
twinge of remorse to think how I'd neg
lected my duties toward her, never hav-
ing troubled myself to see whether she
was confirmed, or anything of the sort.
But she was a fine, well-grown girl of sew
enteen or SO, and indeed showed how fast
she had grown taller and broader by her
small.
"WeIl, 'Enrv," she said when she saw
me-she was immersed in an Army List,
but looked up and greeted me with a
smile as | entered" how about the
skiv ~
/ was good deal embarrassed, because
everybody looked at us and grinned; and
young Saunders, who is my Junior and
loses no opportunity of making annoying
IL ~ no he
room speaking to a friend, and watched
us sardOnically. You've read, l dare say
i haven't myself, l confess, but I've
heard him mentioned in society-of
monster called Frankenstein, who haunts
somebody very much. Well, it struck
me, this was exactly my case William
was Frankenstein, and here was Miss
Frankenstein, and how many more heaven
only knew-a monster brood, | said to
myself, and bit my lips, and was very
angry
.'Oh, l understand" said Annabel, mis-
interpreting my silence. Usual thing,
left your purse at home, Ell? Or have you
just paid heavy bill, and not farthing
in the house? All right, 'Enry; don't
apologize, l beg; bless you, Pm used
to it."
"Well, as it happens" said l, "Miss
Annabel"-I put the Miss in very strong
to let it appear that we weren't blood re-
1t happens | hare left my
purse at home"
"Really, now?" she said. 'Without any
kid? Then look here; I'll go and fetch it
for you"
II couldn't think of that" said l.
''Then fetch it YOURSELF said she.
But can't leave here till four O'clock
"Then I'll wait for YOU" she cried.
ooh don't mind me! | can amuSe my
self very well. It's rather fun watching
know the look of very old
rat when it's worn and gray. Well, you
men in public offices look just like that
when they get old-nOt so cunning
MOI" said Annabel, with a
laugh.
And Chopper. our chief clerk believe
Saunders had sent him in on purpose
was standing just behind US, and-well,
he does look exactly like an old rat. But
what was to do with this file terrible?
But you can't stop here" | said, "un-
fortunately, I'm afraid; at least it would
be tnought not the thing, you know"
Oh, bother that; but look here, then
I'll go and wait for You in the park.
Lend me penny, you shall have it back
in week-honor, you know and I'll
get a ron and go and feed the ducks.
and I'll meet you. Where shall | meet
you2"
''Oh, that won't do at all" said. "Look
here" | cried in desperation; tell your
father I'll come up tonight without
fail, and see him and explain matters to
him.
"And bring the skiv?" she cried.
ooh, yes, yes"
hid I make . mental reservation then