Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1877-04-28

instantly---instantlyw ~ was the hoarse reply
"What---what can you mean?'
"What !" he shrieked, in maniacal frenzy
"Wretch, my twenty pounds"
l had quite forgotten about this bet an'
the twenty pounds; but the dream set M
thinking of what rumors had heard occa
sionally respecting Staining since left Eng
land, that his money had wasted, that h
had fallen considerably in position, an
even into poverty | had written to hi,
several times; but of late years he had 10
replied. 4
"Poor fellow" I now thought, "thsr
may really be something in that dream. I
his pride will accept it, he shall have u |
money back, and very glad ! shall he TO q
store it,"
Back in England. Settled down again il
the old country. Main matters disposed Of
l began to think of minor ones, ana among
the latter the discovery of Staining. II
was not in his former haunts, and failed 81
long to find him that l was beginning t,
despair, when one night met him on TIN
street.
+ The brilliant artificial light of the ball
room may increase the luster of woman
bright eyes and Of her sparkling jewels
but il you want to see poor, broken dowl
man, decayed and dismal, in his worse as
pect, survey him standing disconsolatel,
under street lamp, n drizzling rain de
scending upon him, and he, with folded
arms presenting picture of mute despair
So did behold Staining. l put my han,
upon his shoulder. He sprang from me a.
though were wild beast.
81 did not want to run away" he said
hoarsely, "they know that. I'll face it.
I'll face it," he added, tremulously. "Gt
on, I'll walk quietly ough---Why---wh.
-eh---surely, can it be---can".--
Yes, it is Smith, your old companion
Pray be composed. Staining, my friend
what is all this? Come away, and confide
in me. You know you can trust me. i
you are in trouble, and money can help you
you shall not want" And took his arm
and we went together.
And then | heard poor Staining's con-
fession, and it amounted to this: When he
had wasted his money, he obtained stu.
alton in merchants office. The pay, pool
enough, was sufficient to keep him but
even now nothing could restrain him from
gambling on small scale on horse racing
AS consequence he was soon pennless, and
worse---dishonest. He had paid betting
debt out of twenty-pound note which the
day before met him had been intrusted to
him. Discovery had ensued almost instan-
taneously, and though the luckless man
had explained that it was only through the
failure of another member of the virtuous
fraternity he could not at once replace the
money, he had been discharged, and had
reason to suppose he would be prosecuted.
Many, many thanks" replied the poor
fellow to the offer directly made him.
You can see the firm in the morning but,
though they have allowed a day to pass, |
doubt whether they will take the money.
believe they are bent on my ruin"
could not believe it; so early next day
was at the office of Messrs. Baydon, Blen-
don e. Co., and having been admitted into
the room of the senior partner | stated my
errand and prohered my twenty pounds.
Mr.. Baydon was a sleek old gentleman.
There was, so to speak, wealth and ease all
IL I l.. Al
and replied:
"1 can appreciate your kindness to this
poor man, and l myself would pass the
matter over at once, but my partner, Mr..
Blendon, takes different view, and ! can
not interfere" And he was firm upon the
point. Could l see Mr.. Blendon? Yes, ii
| could call again in two hours.
In the cab l kept muttering to myself:
" Blendon, and Robert Blendon, too +? l am
sure OF it. Still, if it be so, it is very
strange. think I should know that face
again, however time may have altered it.
We shall see who will be MASTER"
Back to Messrs. Baydon, Blendon & Co.'s
offices, and. then into the presence of Mr..
Blendon.
All my anxiety for my poor friend faded
away. | was master of the situation.
Briefly stated my desire to pay the amount
of Staining's defalcation, and my hope
that under the extenuating circumstances
no publicity would be given to the misera-
BILE wrong doing.
Mr.. Blendon heard me with some impa-
tience, and before replying he drew check
to "self or bearer" I could see him do it,
for hundred pounds. Having given this
to clerk to get cashed, he said to me, ar
ranging his papers the while
"You will excuse my answering some
what shortly. 1t cannot be. 1t is not the
money we care about, but we must vindi
cate the law"
l declare l was halfpleased at the grand
lose style of this speech. How beautifully
he was walking into my net!
ventured to suggest that in a case like
this there was no imperative call to such
course, and that forbearance might rightly
be shown.
Il do not see it'll cannot see it." answer
ed Mr.. Blendon, crossing his legs with an
air OF resignation, as much as to say: "The
man is nuisance, but l must bear with
him." He resumed:
"You do not appear, sir, to observe the
immense Importance of Furnishing delin-
quency of this kind. / would not take your
money on any account. Dear me If
were to let this man off, | would be ashamed
of myself. He ought to be in custody now,
and he will be very shortly. l have just
overcome some foolish hesitation of nv
partner. l am always firm myself" mot
always, Mr. Blendon---not when l last saw
YOU. But | waited bit. A little further |
into my net, please, and therefore, how
ever sorry l may be, sir, I must say no.
Dishonesty is fearful thing, and it must
be punished. If l were myself to commit
an act of this kind, and "---
Why did he stop? l bowed quietly, and
rising said:
g Vn,, /, ro r,,;to r:~l&