The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-04-20

strain him from gambling on a small
scale on horse-racing. AS a consequence
he was soon penniless, and worse-dis-
honest. 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 in
simultaneously, 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 dis
charged, and had reason to suppose he
had been prosecuted.
could not help thinking. as / heard
this painful story, that if there had been
society for the suppression of betting,
what a splendid illustration here pre-
sented itself for their use However, it
was no time for moralizing.
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
day to pass, doubt whether they will
take the money. 1 believe they are bent
on my ruin"
could not believe it; so early next
day L was at the office of Messrs. Bay
don, Blendon & Co., and, having been
admitted into the room of the senior
partner, stated my errand and proffered
my twenty pounds.
Mr.. BABYLON was sleek old gentle
man. There was, so to speak, wealth
and ease all over him. He bent his
head complacently, and replied:
" can appreciate your kindness to
this poor man, and myself would pass
the matter over at once, but my partner,
Mr.. Blendon, takes a different view, and
cannot interfere" And he was firm
upon the point. Could 1 see Mr.. Blen-
don? Yes, if L could call again in two
hours.
1 rejoined Staining, who shook his
head at my report. "Just SO, he said;
"the old story, my partner. must
go to prison. Good gracious what is
the matter, Smith ?"
had suddenly disengaged my arm
from his. Staining" 1 said, "you
keep out of the way for a couple of
hours. Blendon, Blendon-do you
know the mans Christian name %
Robert.
mercy on me Good-by. Meet me
here in two hours" and in another min
ute was in cab, rafting away INTO one
of the suburbs.
In the cab L kept muttering to my
self, "Blendon, and Robert Blendon,
too / am sure of it. Still, if it be SO,
it is very strange. / think L should
know that face again, however time may
have altered it. We shall see who will
be master"
My present visit was to an old clergy
man, who received me most cordially,
rubbed up his memory vigorously
for my use, and allowed me to
leave him quickly, fully sympathiz-
ing with me in the object L had in
view.
Back to Messrs Baydon, Blendon e.
Co. s offices, and then into the presence
of Mr.. Blendon.
All my anxiety for my poor friend
faded away. L was master of the situa-
ton. Briefly L stated my desire to
pay the amount of Stainings defal-
cation, and my hope that, under the
extenuating circumstances, no publicity
would be given to the miserable wrong
doing.
Mr.. Blendon heard me with some i'm
patience, and before replying he drew a
check to self or bearer" G could see
him do it, for a hundred pounds. Hav-
ing given this to a clerk to get cashed,
he said to me, arranging 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
vindicate the law"
/ declare L was half pleased Mt the
Il, ofx,1n af
beautifully he was walking into my net
ventured to suggest that, in case
like this, there was no imperative call to
such course. and that forbearance might
rightly be shown.
81 DO not see it cannot see it, an
swered Mr.. Blendon, crossing his legs
with an air of resignation, as much as to
say, "The man is a nuisance, but must
bear with him." He resumed:
You do not appear, sir, to observe
the immense Importance of Furnishing
delinquency of this kind. would not
take your money on any account. Dear
me If L were to let this man off, 1
should 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 my partner. am
always firm myself" mot always, Mr..
Blendon-not when / last saw you. But
1 waited bit A little further into my
net, please); "and, therefore, however
sorry may be, sir, | must say NO. Dis
honesty is fearful thing, and it must
be punished. If / were myself to COM
NIT an act of this kind, and"
Why did he stop? quietly bowed,
and rising, said
"You are quite right, Mr. Blendon.
Dishonesty is a terrible thing, and while
not for another moment pressing my re-
quest, know you will forgive my call
ing to remembrance, before / leave, a
curious case known to myself May /
tell you? Some twenty years ago,
poor young couple, not long married,
had fallen into poverty. The wife and
infant were i'll. The doctor had ceased
to attend because he was not paid.
Comforts there were none. Even neces-
saries were wanting. The husband was
distracted. He would get money; he
must get money. When his young wife
and infant child were well-nigh starving,
what was to be donel Stay, stay, Mr.
Blendon, UiU complete my story. The
money was obtained, sir-Mr. Blendon,