The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1884-12-05

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though, nothing would please me more
than to have you as our manufactur-
ers'; / know your style of work, and |
am sure you would treat us generous
ly. Only must insist on one thing,
should we come to any understanding
| There are to be no running accounts
between us we pay on the nail for all
work done, not in bills or checks, but
in cash. Unless you consent to that
proviso, decline to carry the matter a
step further.
| l protested against his want of be-
lief in my change of convictions re-
garding him. But he was firm he
would not feel comfortable unless he
put all possibility of doubt on our part
out of the question.
After all, the advantage was on my
side.
The upshot OF it was that it appear
ed there was an immediate demand for
certain work-a demand so pressing
that there was no time to manufacture
to meet tit must be supplied from
stock. This, of course, was agreed to.
Raw gold was to be supplied at vary
ing intervals to be made up as direct
ed, and when the metal was not forth.
coming orders were to be executed in
the usual manner from metal stock.
The only proviso of Importance was
that neither firm was to deal with an
other as regarded the American agen-
cy. To this l had no objection.
l A L
gether; he offered to walk with me
part of the way. Happening to pass
an American bar, he said he would
show me what American drinks were
like. We had two or three, for which
he paid.
We then bad a cab to Paddington,
from which station l had to start for
home. He wanted some fresh air, so
came with me to walk back to the
park. He insisted on paying for every
thing that evening, so produced five
pound note for the fare, having no
change left.
Naturally the cabman had none.
Macfarlane would not hear of my pay
ing, but consented to my changing his
note for him. 4
| made an appointment with him
for next dav, and returned home i'm
mensely pleased with my evenings
work. If things went well, it meant
clear profit of many hundreds year to
the firm.
When | was in bed, however an
unpleasant idea came into nv head.
Was it possible But no ! I dismiss
ed the thought, which, however, would
not be dismissed finally. Was the
note had changed for Macfarlane a
good one
had heard of tricks of a similar
kind often enough. Macfarlane had
not made bad thing out of me if |
had palmed off bogus note in ex-
change for my FIVE sovereigns.
got ont of bed and examined it
carefully. 1t appeared all right. /
was ashamed of myself for doubling
him.
Nevertheless, l went to the Bank of
England next day and had it examiu-
ed. 1t was pronounced genuine.
Judge how ashamed | felt What,
then, were my feelings when 1 caught
sight of Macfarlane standing at the
counter not two yards from me, filling
stout pocket-book with notes.
tried to slip out unobserved, fear
fnl lest he had seen the transaction ]
had been engaged in. But he hap
pened to look up, and caught sight OF
me. My only consolation was the
hope that he had not seen the business
upon which ] had been engaged. l re-
sponded to his greeting, and we walk
ed away together
He had received telegram that
morning from America to the effect
that his partner had started for Eng
land. So it was too late to instruct !
him to bring the gold with him for
the present Macfarlane would be oblig- |
ed to give his orders to us to be execu
ted from our own stock. Fortunately,
he observed, his capital was large |
enough to enable him to do so.
The one point on which he insisted, |
which thought unnecessary, if not
foolish, was that, no mention of his |
former name should be made to my
partners. 1t was moot point with
me for some time whether l had any
right to embark in transactions with |
him without informing the members of
my firm of all | knew, but the security
was so good, and the transactions so
profitable, that yielded to his condi-
ton.
In the course of the next few weeks
we executed a valuable series of or.
ders for him He always paid me
himself on the delivery of the goods
The payment was invariably in notes
or gold. Ouly once did he offer me a
check, / took it, and it was honored
without question.
His partner arrived in the course of
ten days or so, and Macfarane intro
duced me, apologizing first for the
want of refinement observable in him.
'He's rough diamond, self made
man. But he has money and honesty,
and knows his business"
As | had scarcely any transactions
with him personally, l could not OBJ
Ject to his appearance and manners
but | should have put him down as a
villain of considerably deep dye had
not Macfarlane given him so good a
character.
Business became even more brisk
between Macfarlane aud our firm. At
the end of fortnight the former show
ed me large consignment of metal
which he had just received. He prom
lsed to send it to us next morning.
The same day we took for the second
time check from him. The reason
of his Offering it was that he had been
obliged to pay on the spot for duties,
&c', OF the gold. | received it with,
out misgiying.
81 wish you would come and spend
a quiet evening with me and few
Others he said, as he handed me the
check. 81 have been making some ar
rsngements which / think may open
up new field for both of us. Will
you come 2"