The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1880-04-02


the beginning of this caucus, my time is linn
tied"
He picked up his hat from the table, and
was proceeding Ieisarely toward the door,
when his fathers voice arrested him.
~One moment young man. Idesire to speak
to you about your general style of living. l
understand, sir, that you live like Roths
child, while You are only few points removed
from beggar."
Il almost wish / was beggar, sir. They
have no tailor's bills presented to them ~ the
very time they are without the where-with-
all TO settle up" replied Basil, whose serenity
was never to DO ruff I'd by his fathers bittor-
ness.
You will soon have your wish, never fear.
man who smokes the crack brands Of cigars,
drinks the finest wines, dives fast horses,
falls in love with every baby-faced woman he
meets and plays cards with the most desperate
recklessness can have but one ending. You will
some day be as poor as the poorest beggar that
walks the streets and when that time comes
you will please remember that have warned
You Of the consequences OF your course OF
living and you need not apply to me for as
sistance, for, as have tod you beiOrs, am
not rich man, and your style OF living would
bankrupt millionaire"
This talk is very dull ald dry to me, sir,
and shows very bad taste on your part. You
forget that have business that yields an
income of its OWL
@An income-business OF your own. And
about how much are the proceeds from this g
gantic businessy"
well, really, l can hardly say; but, / be-
lieve by close calculation and strict economy,
might make IT pay for cigars, cologne, gloves,
and cravats-important items, assure you"
Listen to me, BASIL" and the elder Dukes
voice had lost much OF its hsrshness, You
know it is very seldom that l offer to COM
promise with anyone, but have proposition
to make you. You are terribly in debt; know
this, aud, with your present income, you would
not be able to pay OF in two years Now, If
you will promise to give up all thoughts of
this girl, settle down quietly and change your
whole course of doing, will pay off all your
debts and square you up with the world. Take
time to consider this and let me know your de-
cision at your convenience"
1t is unnecessary for me 70 take time to con-
slider your proposition, sir" replied Basil, in a
more respectful tone OF Voice than he had used
during the interview. :" / am sorry, very sorry,
but what you ask is impossible Ii our inter
view is over, wish you good evening"" And
he walked from the room before his father
could reply.
"The impudent rascal" muttere1 William
Duke as he strod up and down the room after
Basil left, does he think will allow him to
go directly against my wishes in this matter?
No, Basil Duke, you will never marry Nellie
Norwood. l never decide to do anything and
fail, and l am determined to prevent your max
ing fool of yourself by marrying that girl"
When Basil left his fathers Office, he walked
rapidly down the street His head was bent
low, and bis eyes fixed on the ground. So
deeply occupied was he with his own thoughts
that rs he turned the corner OF the street, he
struck against person approaching from an
opposite direction.
Hello, Basil this you? The very fellow
have been looking for" And the speaker
turned and proceeded lesurely by Bisi's ide.
"Ah, Edwin: what is it to-day? | know You
nf 81 40
peculiarly brotherly unless there is something
you wish me TO 90 for you. Come, ont with IL /;
you know | prefer that to beating about the
BUSH" And Basil glanced half amused, half
compa seionatey at the slight. boyish figure by
his eide.
He was handsome fellow, this Edwin Duke,
or would have been but for the marks of dssi-
patton that were beginning to make themselves
visible upon his face.
Are you in great hurry, Basy" asked his
brother, after few moments silence, az they
walked along.
Eyes, u devil of hurry; Why"
Because l am in fearful fix, Basil; and,
unless some one will help me out, 1 am
ruined"
"Come with me-" said Basil, and led the way
into the back room OF a SALOON.
The boy hung his head aud played uneasily
with his watch chain.
Come, Edwin, out with it. Nothing very
bad. is ity"
u want money-s5O, at once" said the boy
Basil gave low whistle and drew a medita-
tive puff from bis cigar.
You arc always wanting money. SO am l,
80 is everybody. It is the normal state of man
to want money. But what is this particular
cum wanted fory"
Il played cards, few nights ago; lost, of
course, and borrowed $50 of Capt Winter.
promised to pay it back to-day, but here it is 2
O'Clock, and have no idea where | am to get
the money. Ii 1t IL not paid by night, Winter
will speak to the Governor about it, and you
know what the consequence will be.
You play cards desperately for boy OF
your age" said Basil, IA d shade OF gravity
passed over his face. Now, l Ii tell you the
best thug you can do Go to the Governor and
make clean breast OF the whole affair. He
Iikes you, and | know he will give you the
money"
Il wcnld rather blow nv brains out. by
heavens would, than ask him for money now.
| have had 40 mach from him OF late"
Basil saw how determined he WAS not to ac-
quaint bis father with the affair that was
troubling him.
well, Edwin, CUES. l can give YOU the
money, but remember it is the last time / can
help you. You ought to know me by this time,
! and il you do, you know that rs long az have
penny will divide with you; if you don't
know it, no matter But, the fact is, Edwin,
am going down hill. l owe considerable my
self, and the worst pare of it is L don't know
how ! am to pay. This has no interest for
you, l know, but 1 only tell you as warning
not to drive 80 fast on the high road to the
devil as / have done. la other words you must
! change There Is yet time for you" and
Bssiis voice was low and pleading, as ne laid
his hand on his brothers shoulder.
The boy flushed, and drew himself angrily
away
You can be very severe when you try,
Basil" he said. "Are you such mirror or
righteousness yourself. that YOU can afford to
| criticize the &C ions OF others?"
You are not courteous" Basil replied,
YEARLY, shut you may be right / am not
good one for you to copy from in anything, un-
less 1t be the cut Of my coat, the tie of my era
vat or the style in which / wear my hair |
don't think l ever told you was am not 20
well satisfied with myself as to suggest myself
as model for you 10 copy from. But to re-
turn TO the original subject of our interview
You want money Well, here it il, and guess
you have had enough of my company for one
day, 80 I'll be going" And Basil handed his
brother handful of bills, arose from his seat
and prepared to leave IN, room
"One thing more, Edwin" he said, IA he
turned and walked back to his brothers side
"don't borrow of any but your own folks. Itdon't
show exactly good taste, and besides il gives
outsiders some idea Of a fellows financial con-
dition. Don't do it any more. As for that fell
low, Winter, you will do we'll to cut his &C
att.ta ta,.