Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1882-11-22

ful ana aueCt1OnaC0 son, out ne COuIu
not help being conscious of the innate
vulgarity and coarseness which charac-
terized his father. In his own case,
public school and university educa-
ton had supplied the high moral tone
and delicacy of feeling which had come
TO him by inheritance, and which the
old money-lender altogether lacked
Josiah Marsden, bubbling over with
wrath and indignation, seated himself at
his escretoire, and dived into the inmost
recesses of that elastic and capacious
receptacle. In an inner compartment
he kept a few relics of his former bust
ress, such as worthless acceptances and
miscellaneous papers, which he had
probably put aside on the of-chance
of their proving of value In the dim
future. They had not been disturbed
for so many years that old Josiah had to
tumble about for some time before he
could lay his hand upon the document
he was in search of. But, at length he
routed out small bundle, bearing the
name of Lord Carsdale.
The old gentleman put on his spec
tacles, and opened the papers with a
grim chuckle. He had almost begun to
think that his memory had played him
false, such an occurrence being rather
frequent of late years. But rapid
glance sufficed to confirm his recollection
of the position of Lore Carsdale's affairs
when they last met. There was the
fatal bill with the forged acceptance, and
attached to it was letter from the sup
posed acceptor, repudiating the tran
saction, and denouncing the forgery.
Old Josiah leant back in his chair,
staring at the faded writing on the bill,
and slowly recalling to mind all the in
cidents connected with it. He recol-
lected Lord Carsdale's youthful follies
and extravagances, his passion for
gambling, bis chronic impecuniosity,
and his desperate shifts to fill his empty
purse. He could see the young earl as
if it were yesterday, seated before him i'll
his dingy Office, protesting and beseech-
ing his assistance. Had he been soft
hearted, he might, perhaps, have re-
preached himself with having driven
some hard bargains with the young
spendthrlft, and given considerable i'm
petus to his headlong course on the road
to ruin. But old Josiah did not dwell
upon irrelevant details; he let his mind
wander on to their last interview, when
the earl, flushed and excited from the
previous nights debauch, came in one
morning to raise money for a debt of
honor The bill WHICH he offered bore
name of unexceptional responsibility;
so much so, indeed that old Josiah
glanced twice at the signature. The
second glance aroused his suspicious;
the guilty look on his clients face con-
firmed them. But he parted with the
money, nevertheless, the amount being
comparatively small. Whether he was
moved to this reckless act by compass
sion or policy, he did not now clearly
remember; but the accompanying letter
reminded him that he had written to the
alleged acceptor in guarded terms about
his signature, and having elected an
emphatic Reputation, he let the matter
drop. Lord Carsdale fed to the con-
tinent, where he had remained so many
years that old Josiah had almost forgot
ten him, until Jack mentioned his name
that day.
When the old gentleman reviewed
these facts, and then read once more
Lord Carsdale's letter to HE son, an
ominous expression settled on his face,
and he placed the papers carefully In his
pocket-book. At dinner, his son tried to
find out what was passing in his mind,
but old Josiah did not enlighten him,
nor was the name of Lord Carsdale men
toned, The next morning the old gen
tleman stated at breakfast that he had
business in London and in spite of his
govt, he started by the early express.
He drove straight to Lord Carsdale's
hotel, and sent up his card. The hall
Il ~
his lordship was particularly engaged.
Old Josiah turned purple in the face at
this, and scrawIed two lines in a shaky
hand on sheet of note-paper, which he
enclosed in an envelope. A minute or
two later he was shown into the earl's
apartment.
Chow do you do, my lord % said old
Josiah holding out his hand and speak
ing in clustering tone. &c I hope you
haven't forgotten your old friend %
"'Pon my word, Mr.. Marsden, said
Lord Carsdale, looking pale and agitated,
81 had no idea it was you when you sent
up your card. I thought to tell you the
truth, that you we're"
"Dead No, my lord. Not quite so
bad as that. Retired from business this
ten years and more, that's all. But didn't
my son ment1on my name to you?
Your-your soni'' repeated Lord
Carsdale. "a
eyes. Your lordship was good enough
to write him letter the other day." said
old Josiah, looking the peer full in the
face.
Dear me! I had no idea that young
man was your son, Mr.. Marsden; the
name did not strike me-" said Lord
Carsdale, more Ill at ease than ever.
II never had the pleasure of knowing
him. [ believe my daughter made his
acquaintance at some mutual friends
and something like mild Irritation took
place between them which Thought it
better to put stop to-" EW3@
"Why, my lord!' demanded old
Josiah, abruptly. .r tr
Well, really, Mr. Marsden, you ask
a most awkward question, replied Lord
! Carsdale, evading his visitors direct
. gaze. 81 can only remind you of the