The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1877-06-27


| I Il do not see it, cannot see it."
answered Mr.. Blendon, crossing his legs
with an air of resignation, as much as to
say: 1.-The man is a nuisance. but 1 must
bear with him. He resumed:
You do not appear, sir, to observe the
immense importance of Furnishing delin-
quency OF this kind. 1 would not take
your money on any account. Dear me!
If were to let this man of, I would be
ashamed Of myself. He ought to be in
custody now, and will be very shortly.
| have just overcome some foolish hesita-
ton OF my partner. l am always firm
myself" mot always, Mr.. Blcndon-not
when | last saw you. But waited bit.
A little further into my net, please), land,
therefore, however sorry may be, Unjust
say no. Dishonesty is fearful thing and
1t must be punished. If were myself to
commit an act of this kind, and'-
Why did he stop? bowed quietly and
rising said:
g You are quite right, Mr.. Blendon.
dishonesty is terrible: thing, and while
not tor another moment pressing my re-
quest, | know you will forgive my calling
to remembrance, before leave, a curious
case known to myself. May tell YOU?
Some twenty years ago poor 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
necessarles were wanting. The husband
was distracted. He would get money:
he must get money When his Young
wife and. infant child were well-nigR
starving, what was to be done? STAY.
stay, Mr.: Blendon, l will complete nv
story. The money was obtained sir-Mr.
Blendon, you know how. I need not tell
you that. But in what way was it repaid
ere mischief came, and how was the h1s-:
band saved-saved from ruin and deora-
DAFT saved to become rich and re-.
spected merchant? Whose money saved
him: All! Mr.. Blendon, that you do
not know. But will tell YOU. The
twenty pound note which rescued the
poor husband rested only ten minutes be-
fore in the pocket-book Of this very Stain
ing whom you arc about to prosecute.
strangely enough, for precisely the same
sum. Yes, at that time Staining was rich.
maybe, as you are now; but with his rich
es ne was kind, charitable, Christian
man. Mr.. Blendon-I have RIGHT to
ask you-to what character do YOU Law
claim?"
L have often thought since what admit
rable advantages are a clear head and a
clear temper. In the delivery of the fore
going, had worked myself up to a white
heat. 1t was only at the moment when
he first saw my drift that he manifested
any strong emotion. Then he rose from
his chair, and his face flushed, but he re-
sumed his seat and by the time had fin
ished, ne was sitting as calmly almost as
when l entered. There was slight
pause, and then Mr.. Blendon said: ~
You have acquired, sir, some knowl-
edge q will not say whether accurate or
mott OF an incident in my early life which
l am not called to discuss. May I ask
whether this knowledge is confined, and
is intended to be confined, to yourself?"
g. believe it to be confined to myself
and my informant, and I have no desire
it would be otherwise" -,
Mr.. Blendon bowed II will not con-
ceal that I shall be glad for it to be an
understanding between us that this mat
ter does not go further" 1 made ges-
ture of assent. "Well, then, on that
footing, will say that Mr.. Staining shall
be entirely absolved, and I will even aid
him, if can. You must, therefore, ex-
cuse me from taking your twenty pounds.
| am obliged to you for the coming
Good morning."
I departed, and I must confess felt the
enemy had we'll covered his retreat, and
had not left me morsel more of triumph
than he could help.
However, my object was accomplished.
therefore I fastened to meet Staining.
He was not at the appointed place, and
after waiting some time I went to his
lodging. 1t was shabby house, in by
street, not easy to find. The landlady
told me Mr.. Staining had come in an
hour ago, and was in his bed-room-not
very we'll, she thought She and went
up together, and I knocked more than
once, Then went in. Poor Staining
was, lying on the bed-dead. Nv first
misgivinggs were happily not confirmed.
His enfeebled frame had been unable to
withstand the recent wear and tear, and
he was now beyond the reach of his fol-
lies and his troubles.