The Osceola times., 1884-11-15
MONEY AT INTEREST.

Paul Parker, on whose kindly face the
boy turned his gaze said;
"See here, boy. I've only got fifty
cent piece and it's mere'u | ought to give
away. shall be here at three O'clock
this day week, opposite this very tavern.
viii you be here to pay it backG Mind,
only lend il to you-and maybe I'll be
able to find some work for you by that
time"
"Yes, sir" said the boy, gleefully, as
he scrambled up the side of the wheel.
II will be here sure"
81 told YOU he wouldn't be here Paul J"
exclaimed Mrs. Parker. 81 knowed it,.
Now what do you think of your fine,
honest boy?"
Paul Parxer's countenance fell visibly.
'1'm orry for it wiie-sorry from the
very bottom of my heart. | somehow
thought he was different from the com
mon lot of em; but s'pose hadn't ought
to expect much from lad brought up
in the streets. Well. WE'LL Let's drive
on"
The slow passing years had sprinkled
their silver blossoms more plentimlly on
Paul Parker's head, and plowed deeper
lines in his wiies face. the little girl at
their fireside had grown into tall
handsome young woman.
"It's fathers step, mother" said Lucy
Parker, jumping up to open the door.
"Well, father, what luck'"
"Bad enough, darter," said Old Paul.
"Melton's down ag'in with fever'n ager;
his wife's poorly, and Bruce has had a
stroke, so he can't work no more"
"And they didn't pay you the money,
Paul?" shrieked the wife, shrilly. "And
what are we to do with Lawyer Martin,
writin' and writn' for the money we owe
him?"
"We can do nothing, wife"
"Father, is it st. John Martin the
Leeds street lawyer, to whom we owe
this money!"
"Yes; what do you know about him?"
mot much, father but met his son
at several parties last fall; and II think
if you were to go there with me and tell
him just aow it was, or write, even -"
And Lucy Parker, blushing like
sweet pea, ran to get the paper and pen
and INK bottle, thirdly trusting to the
efficacy of her plan.
The elegantly-iurnished little office on
Leeds street did not often have sucn
outre equipages drawn up before it as
Paul Parker's mud-be-splashed box wag-
on and shaggy old pony, and the ele-
gantly-attired young lawyer, who sat at
the desk examining some papers, glanc-
ed up IN surprise as the blooming girl
and the bent old man entered together
like May and December.
Lucy %
"Ninian! thought your father-I
did not know that"
"My father is detained at his country
seat, and am acting member of the
firm, Lucy. lie took me into partner
ship last week."
He turned inquiringly and with some
thing of a start, to the brown faced old
rlan, who stood modestly in the back
ground. Lucy introduced her fa:ner and
stated her business.
1--WE are very poor, Ninian," concluded
Lucy, 'and my father cannot at present
hope to discharge this debt; but ! am
soon TO have very good situation in
Madame Elvain's school as music teach
er, and we can all save; so, if your father
would be SO kind as to wait little while
We"
Lucy stopped short; her voice was Civ
ing wav, and she was far too proud 10
yield TO the fast coming tears in Ninian
Martins preseDce. The young man had
listened in silence but now he took
down tin box from its shelf in the safe
and unlocked it, disclosing sundry pack
ages of neatly labeled receipts and notes
LET me see," he said, running his
eye over them; at was note for $500 /
believe"
"Yes, sir" answered the old man; "for
$500"
'Is this your note9'
Yes, sir"
Ninian Martin tore it in two and laid
the fragments on the fire. Paul Parker
and Lucy gazed in astonishment as the
handsome young lawyer lifted his d rk
eyes calmly toward them.
There, Mr.. Parker, you may consider
that you have today received the pay
ment for very old debt. We have bal
anced accounts"
"Sir, don't understand you" said the
bewildered old man. Il don't remem-
ber--r
But DO. II is rather more than ten
years, Mr.. Parker, since you put money
at interest"
"Sir?'
Il will be more plain with you;' said
the young man, smiling. Perhaps Miss
Parker, is not aware that ain only the
adopted son of my mofe than father
NV real name is Nino Bernani. | am
IN Italian by birth. Just ten years ago
was begging in the streets Of Landhlll,
starved and penniiess. A kind hand
you know whose, Mr.. Psrker--sxtend-I
"a itsslf TO me in my hour Of need"
Iho "a man's fhCe lighted up.
4 r ~ r1ncmboe nDW. H wass my