The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1885-03-20

L
last rag of pride, instead of throwing
it away for something less than a far
thing. You needn't tell me what he
said. know"
II did it for the best, neighbor Black
thorn. spent six good shillings on q
hackney coach, and found him in a rot
ten old wharf that you wouldn't put a
proper pig in. And put the case, too.
just as if twas my very own. old
gentleman says ! there's honest old
Tom Blackthorn, that married your
own daughter, and is father to your
own granddaughter, come down to the
bottom for no fault of his own / said
that, Tom. though you'll own yourself
twas stretching a pretty big point,
considering you never would take the
advice of your wisers: no, never, since
you and l went into business the self
same day. For no fault of his own,'
says l; for a man can't help the nature
] whereto he's born. And there's you,
rolling in your thousands; who could
| pay off his honest debts and set him go
ing again by one stroke of the pen.'
You see, Blackthorn, 1 didn't mince
matters: put it plain and strong"
"And hope,' said Blackthorn, "you
didn't forget to tell him that, if 'twasn't
for my poor lass's sake, before I'd have
begged penny of him, I'd have seen
him da-"
"D'ye take me for a nincompoopo
No. / told him just plain out how
things were"
"How things are! Good Lord. Mar
IRISH! you never went to tel the old
curmudgeon that haven't got horse
in the stable, nor cow in the byre.
I'll never forgive you if you told him
that: I'll never hold up my head again"
.And how you wouldn't have bread
to eat if he didn't give it You on a
golden fork. Ay, told him all. Iput
things just as black as they be. What's
the good of mincing things when you
want to get the most out of 'em you
camp"
land to beg l am ashamed"
sighed poor Farmer Blackthorn.
That's all. Well?" he asked again,
with just that same film of hope in his
eyes, while feebly trying to put on an
air of Don't Care.
WELL" he said, s'tell Thomas Black
thorn that when he took my daughter
twas to be without a penny, and a
bargains bargain; and the man who
SAYS it isn't's rogue, and the man
who lets him say it's a fool. Tell him
to go to the deril'-and those were his
very words-'and here's twopence-
half-penny to pay the toll.
Tom Blackthorn sprang from his seat
like Il young man, and his old eyes
flashed fire. The old scoundrel
old villain! to insult MT friend-to in
suit me! If wasn't an old man, and
if he wasn't an older But It's no
good talking, Marrish. l couldn't 60
on my knees to him myself, no, not
even for my poor little lass's sake; and
sooner than let another do what I'd
have been ashamed to do myself, |
ought to have starved, lass and all.
IT'S my fault, for turning Blackthorn
into beggar. 'Tis not your fault,
neighbor; one can't expect one that
things with Blackthorn eyes. I've got
no way left to be shamed, now. I've
cried 'em all. The best thing can do
is to hang myself up to the beam in the
big barn"
"'Tis solemn pity" said the other,
'.the old man turned so hard. Well,
well. He was right in a way. You
must own up. Tom Blackthorn. that
You had your chances; only you were
always such a mortal bad hand at
chucking 'em away. What business
has plain yeoman, like me or you,
with hunters and dogs, and fine COM
pany for his boy, and neutrality-suspicious.
for his girl? You had long fairer
start than ever had, Tom Blackthorn;
and now Tm-well, tidily warm, and
where are you?"
'Ay. You've the right to crow,
Enoch Marrish. So crow away"
And now to business. Times
money: and though won't charge you
what I've spent on your affairs, not
even the six shillings for the cab, l can't
afford to spend any more of market
day. Of course you DON'T forget to-
days when the quarters interest on
my mortgage falls due-and three quar-
tiers in arrear?"
WHAT" asked Farmer Blackthorn,
with bewildered stare.
Internationally pounds-a hundred
and forty-three, with arrears at COM
pound interest; the mortgage on Legs
Croft, due to-day"
"A hundred pounds! You come to
ask me for hundred pounds?"
'.And forty-three. Isn't it right?'
Fright! Of course it's right. don't
want reminding of my debts. l know
'cm by heart. But do you mean to say,
Enoch Marrish-you that know me and
my affairs sea-deep and sky-high-do
you mean to say you've come to ask a
beggar that's just been kicked out of
doors for hundred pounds?"
"Come-Tm not that sort, as you
ought to know. How many creditors'd
go through what I've gone through
a trip all the way to London, an inn
bill as long as fail, and no end of
coach-hire, and all out of friendship,
and not asking to be paid back PEN
ny? If your old father in-law had done
the right thing-but, as he's done the
wrong, don't see why should have
to lose. A hundred pounds hundred
pounds; and business is business; and l
can't afford to lie out of my few thou
sands and the interest besides"
Mr.. Marrish spoke with all becoming
firmness, but not unkindly.
Then there's but one thing you can
mean, neighbour" said Blackthorn,
with groan and clutch of the hands
You mean to send me to Jail. knew
'twould come to that, before long.
Well suppose it's but fair, since it's
the law"
Jail? No. What good'd that do
me? Jail, indeed-when there's the
l.