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


Staining. He was always so sure he was
right. Our mutual friend Maxwell ought
to have sailed for Brazil, but l felt confident
| had seen him in the street. Staining said
it was nonsense, and he'd bet me twenty
pounds to a shilling was wrong. He had
hardly finished speaking when Maxwell
who had not sailed, came up. Staining
pulled from his pocketbook a twenty pound
note, and handed it to me.
"There you are, old fellow. "A fool and
his money! etc. Another illustration OF
that wise adage.."
"Not exactly; for you don't suppose l
shall take your money!
"Yes, do; and l shall be extremely
annoyed if you make any difficulty"
Iprotested but presently he said in irri-
tation: "Then be my almoner, and give
the money to charity" And he pressed the
note back upon ME, and left abruptly.
There are objections to standing in the
public highway with bank note in your
hand and puzzled expression in your
face, the note was transferred to my
pocket, and went my way pondering, when
was met full tilt by clergyman
whom very we'll knew.
"Hulloaw he cried. "Mr Smith, both
you and l seem to have our minds so much
occupied to-day that we cannot take care
of our bodies"
l apologised. "No grave matter of mine,"
| said; "but you look sad. Nothing wrong
with you or yours"
"No, thanks; but have just left de-
pressing scene"
ga young couple, married in hot haste
have come to grief. The wife and child
are ill. Relatives and friends have r,ceded
into the remote background. And worse
than all, the husband"---
Has become Incorporate or has gone
mad"
"Nether one nor the other"
Something ?"
Yes; for to be dishonest is worse than
going mad. And it is such mere trihe
that is needed, apparently to put all straight,
that groan at my inability at the moment
to find it,
What is wanted ?"
"Well, it's only twenty pounds
"There's the money which you require.
Haste away, and do all the good you can
with it,"
My friend looked astonished. He even
hesitated.
at is very, very good of you," he said
"but really" "---
al have the power to give it away. Good
bye" And hurried of. Then hastened
back to him.
Kindly, on no account mention my
name."
"No, as you wish it; but you should
know that of the objects of your bounty"
And he told me. Then We parted l had
gone only dozen yards when there passed
me young man, with flushed face and
a frightened, anxious look in his eyes. He
caught up to my friend and spoke to him.
"That is the man." l said to myself,
whose proceedings have been dubious, and
who will, l trust, be rescued by Staining's
twenty pounds. Well, if the wheel should
turn, and this poor man should ever be in
a position to deliver fellow creature from
such trouble as he himself is now in, by the
OF twenty pounds, ! wonder
whether he'll do it? Smith, you surely
know human nature well enough to answer
your own question. Not he---not a bit
Of it."
This little incident, with plenty OF other
things besides, was soon swept from my
memory by sudden call to go abroad,
even to the place where Maxwell did not
so-Brazil. Nothing hampered me then;
was young bachelor, and could start for
The Antipodes at two days notice. When
axe my wife and children forget the ex-
act number-for our autumnal trip, in
hese latter years of my life, 1 require
weeks preparation. Alas, the change!
Away then to Brazil; away to new life,
,ew scenes, new companions, new hopes
md fears; away to fortune-and the yellow
ever! Here occurs in my tale a grand in
erval of twenty years (my story deals in
wenties). doubt whether l should have
'ome back, had nota young English lady
me night sang in my hearing an old hone
ballad, SO we'll remembered in connection
With some loved ones who in this world
will sing no more, that the well known
raving for the native land mastered me at
'nce, and within very short time l was on
ny voyage to England.
On the way, had one night frightful
lream. fancied terrible enemy had ME
m my back, and was clutching my throat.
lighter grew his grasp, and fainter my
'reath. Ny starting eyes scanned every
eature of my murderer. Slowly and pain
ully--asI was held in this way, for some
ime as it appeared-did call to my mind
he face before me. 1t was Staining, but
tanning reckless, desperate. gasped an
ntreaty for mercy.