Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1876-02-12

Deen, tnouEht Noel, II they could havc
dispensed with those calls which he SO
pertinaciously made.
At last, his chapter of miseries was ex-
hausted; and, clearing his throat, he COM
msnced.
"Well, sir, how about those bills havo
Of yoursi I'm devilishly in want of
money! Let me see; tho first was for
FIVE hundred-the second for seven hum
dred-and the last, two hundred and
fifty"
"Come-come, Monsieur Ducroew said
Noel. laughing forced laugh; ga jokes q
good thing in the right placer
"But I'm not joking" said the usurer.
"Well, it looks very like it. Why it's
only ten days ago that wrote to tell you
eould't meet them, asking, at the same
time, to have a renewal"
II got your letter, sir-I got your letter;
but thought that, in the way of business,
no answer was considered a negative"
gesture Of impotence escaped the
young man.
ADO as you like; I've already told you
can't meet your demands!"
"Well. some people have no conscience!
Do you know that I've renewed these bills
four times already-four times, sirl Why,
wouldn't have done it for my own
II dare say not" said the barrister.
dryly; "but. you see, your mother would
never have paid the interest have-shs
would have been too sharp for that, con-
sidering that you are her son!'
Monsieur Ducroc WAS much hurt
He couldn't bear the word "interest"
to be named; 10 it was in tone that
bore in it more of sorrow than anger, that
he replied, "Have l ever complainedl-
have 1 ever said word in reproachf The
only remark have to make is, that you
know I've a soft heart, and you play up
ON it accordingly"
"What's the use of repeating thing
over and over againl" said Noel, still more
impatently than before. ave told you
that, at the present moment, I'm hard up;
in fact, there's only just enough ready
money left to keep me going"
"Tm sorry to hear it, for your sake"
said the money-lender; "because you'll
force me to place the whole business in the
hands of my solicitors"
"And what will you gain by thati Come,
my dear sir, let us play our cards on the
table. Do you wish to fill the pockets of
your solicitorsl l hardly think 80. When
you have put me to a great expense, will
that put farthing in your pocket You
can't put a distress in, because the house,
and all the furniture, belong to Madame
Gerdy."
II know it; and, even if you were sold
up. they wouldn't cover my expenses"
$50 you intend to thrust me into debt
or's prison! A bad speculation, that! NV
social position would be lost; in fact, I'd
be q ruined man, and where would be your
gainl"
"Ha, ha, ha!" laughed the worthy
money-lcnder. "What nonsense you're
talking! Old birds can't be caught with
chaff! Why. if You thought were cap
able OF shutting you up--and you know
l wouldn't, because I've got such soft
heart-my money would be there; yes, sir,
therein that very drawer as rests under
your elbow"
And the old man, still lsughing, pointed
to where Norl's arm rested.
''You are entirely in tho wrong. Had
the money owe you, it would be in your
hands this moment can't ask my
mother, you see."
sardonic. annoying sort of laugh, pc
culiar to Monsieur Ducroe, interrupted
Noels expostulation.
'Oh, know all about that! You've
borrowed enough from your mother al
ready; and if the poor old lady is about to
kick the bucket-I've heard she's been
very ill-well, sir, l wouldn't advance a
fiver upon the goods she leaves behind
her."
The young barristcr's face crimsoned
with anger; his eyes flashed. and it was as
much as he could do to restrain himself
from the immense satisfaction of giving
the old gentleman a black eye
"One knows what one knows" contin-
ued Ducroe, TRANQUILITY taking pinch of
snuff; land know that, whether you in
tend to marry Miss Nicholson or not, she's
about the most expensive young woman
out. Bless you, sir, apart from breaking
a mans heart, that girl would break the
Bank of England itself!'
Noel WAS furious at this.
-What have you to say against Miss
Nellie Nicholsonl You know she is o..
., s,.,s. y: most delightful creatures i'll
sGrantcd; but, you see, I'm not In love
with her, and you are. What want to
make you understand s,that the one thou
sand four hundred and fifty was advanced
to you on her account, and that don't in
tend to renew the bills; and if you don't
pay me the money, will put an execu-
ton into your lady-love's house; and if,
after that, she doesn't give you a piece OF
her mind, I'm q Dutchman!"
Noel could bear it no longer. His tenn
per, for once in way, got the better Of
him.
"Enough" he cried, bringing his hand
down with bang on his desk. "Go to the
devil, Monsieur Ducroe, and do as you like!
don't want your advice. and l don't
want your company! prefer, in future,
to see your solicitors. know that have
been imprudent, but can repair all that
in manner that will rather astonish you.
could pay you the whols sum tomorrow,
il it suited my convenience; but you see,
my dear sir, it doesn't. BE wise-ke-p my
affairs secret. and You'll get your money
In the long rum"
The usurer WAS puzzled.
"lle's not so dipped az thought" he
muscd. "IIc's found fresh fields and pas
lures new; bat he won't hide them long
rom me. .Ill ferret his secret out-Tll
ferret it out!'
"rhus," continued the b,rrister, stake
all my papers to your solicitors. and give
them instructions to proceed against me.
In eight days from this shall receive a
county court summons. l shall sppear,
and ask for time. You know the law well
enough to know that. I'll get q months
grace, and a month is all l want. Now
let us return to common sense. Accept
bill of exchange, payable in Six weeks. or
else do as you have threatened, and place
the whole business in the hands of your
solicitors"
"Well. well, I never was a hard man,
and don't want to be hard now. /