Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1885-11-20
XIII.
HIS LAST CHAN G E.

Three days elapsed, purlng which nothing
was done. That cause is strongest which
can afford to wait. But in those three days
several things happened.
First of all, Mr.. David Chalker, seeing
that the old man was obdurate, made up
his mind to lose most Of his money, and
cursed Joe continually for having led him to
build upon his grandfather's supposed
wealth. Yet he ought to have known.
Tradesmen do not lock up their savings in
investments for their grandchildren, nor do
they borrow small sums at ruinous interest
Of money-lending solicitors; nor do they
give bills OF sale. These general rules were
probably known to Mr.. Chalker. Yet he
did not apply them to this particular case.
The neglect Of the general rule, in fact, NAV
lead the most astute of mankind into ways
of foolishness.
James, for his part, stimulated perpetuallv
by fear of prison and loss of characterNand
of situation for who would employ an as
sistant who got keys made to open the safe?
showed himself the most repentant of
mortals. DIR. Joseph Washington lulled into
the most perfect security, enjoyed all those
pleasures which the sum of three hundred
pounds could purchase. Nobody knew where
he was, or what he was doing. AS for
Lofty, she had established herself firmly in
Chester Square, and Cousin Clara daily
found out new and additional proofs of the
gentle blood breaking out!
On the fourth morning Lala Roy sailed
forth. He was about to make a great moral
experiment, the nature Of which you will
Immediately understand. None but q phil
osopher who had studied Confucius and Lao
Kun would have conceived so fine a scheme.
First he paid a visit to Mr.. Chalker.
The Office was the ground floor front
room, in one of the small streets north of
the Kings road. 1t was not an imposing
Office, nor did it seem as if much business
was done there; and one clerk of tender
years suficed for Mr.. Chalker's wants.
"Oh!" he said, 'its our friend from
India. You're . lodger of old Emblem's,
amt your
81 have lived with him for twenty years.
l am his friend"
Every we'll. l dare say we shall come to
terms, if he's come to his senses. Just take
a chair and sit down. How is the old manY'
"He has not yet recovered the use of his
intellect"
"Ohl Then how can you act for him if
he's off his headF
81 came to ask an English creditor to
show mercy"
'Mercy? What is the man talking aboutl
Mercy l want my money. What has that
got to do with meI1yp
Nothing, truly, but l will give you your
money, will give you justice, and you
shall rive me mercy. Won lent Mr. I'm.
blem fifty pounds. Will you take your
fifty pounds and leave us in peaceq'
He drew a bag out Of his pocket-a brown
bankers bag-and Mr.. Chalker distinctly
heard the rustling of notes.
This is a sound which to some ears is
more delightful thar the finest music in the
world. 1t awakens all the most pleasurable
emotions, it provokes desire and hankering
after possession; and it fills the soul with
the imaginary enjoyment Of wealth.
Certainly not" said Mr.. Chalker, conf
dent that better terms than those would be
offered. 'If that is all you have to say,
you may go away again"
"But the rest is usury. Think To give
fifty, and ask three hundred and fifty, is
the part Of a %usurer."
="Call 1t what you please. The bill of sale
is for three hundred and fifty pounds. Paw
that three hundred and fifty, with costs and
sheriff. poundage, and l take away my man.
If you don't pay it, then the books on the
shelves and the furniture Of the house go to
the hammer
THE books, / am informed,n said Lala
Roy, twill not bring as much as a hundred