The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-03-21
IN LUCK At LAST.
BY Waiter Besant.
CHAPTER XIII.
HIs Asst CHAN ICE.

First of all, Mr.. David Chalker, seeing
that the old man was obdurate, made uI
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 dc
they borrow small sums at ruinous Interest
of money lending solicitors; nor do they
give bills of sale. These general rules were
nrobably known to Mr.. Chalker. Yet he
did not apply them to this particular case.
The neglect of the general rule, in fact, may
lead the most astute Of mankind into ways
Of foolishness
James, for his part, stimulated perpetually
by fear of prison and loss OF character ana
of situation for who would employ an as
sistant who got keys made to open the sate'
-showej, himself the most repentant OF
mortals. DIV. Joseph Washington luled into
the most perfect security, enjoyed all those
measures 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 or INC
gentle blood breaking out
forth. lie was about to make great moral
experiment, the nature of which you will
Immediately understand. None but phil
osopher who had studied Confucius and Lao
Kun would have conceived so fine scheme.
First he paid visit to Mr.. Chalker.
The office was the ground-hoor front
room. in one OF the small streets north OF
the Kings road. 1t was not an imposing
Office. nor did it seem as il much business
was done there; and ono clerk OF tender
years sufced for Mr.. Chalkers wants.
"Ohyn he said, "it's our friend from
India. You're lodger OF old Emblems,
amt you!"
81 have lived with him for twenty years
am his friend"
every well. dare say we shall como to
terms, if he's come to his senses. just take
chair and sit down. How is the old manP
"He has not yet recovered tho use OF his
intellect"
"Ohl Then how can you act for him IL
he's OFF his headf'
II came to ask an English creditor to
show mercy"
"Mercyl What is the man talking about
Mercy want my money. What has that
got to do with mercy"
Nothing, truly; but will give you your
money. will give you justice, and you
shall give me mercy. You lent Mr.. En-
blem fifty pounds. Will you take your
fifty pounds and leave us in peacer'
He drew 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
moro delightful than 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. III that is all you have to say,
you may go away again"
"But tho rest is usury. Think To give
Atty, 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. Pay
that three hundred and fifty, with costs and
sberiff's poundage, and take away my man.
II you don't pay it, then the books on the
shelves and the furniture Of tho house 60 to
the hammer"
"The books I am informed" said Lala
Roy, twill not bring as much as hundred
pounds II they are sold at auction. As fos
the furniture. some Of it IL mine. and Soma
belongs to Mr.. Emblem's granddaughter
His granddaughter! Oh, it's q swindls,"
said Mr. Chalker angrIly. 'It is nothing
more or less than rank swindle. The old
man ought to be prosecuted, and. mind you,
Ill prosecute him, and you too for conspir-
ing with him" -.
"a prosecution" said the Hindoo, twill
not hurt him, but ii might hurt you. For it
would show how you lent him fifty pounds
I've years ago; how you made him give y ou
bill for hundred; how you did not press
him to pay that BILL but you continually Of
fered to renew it for him, increasing the
amount on each time Of removal; !. and at
last you made him give you a bill Of sale
for three hundred and fifty. This is. sup
pose, one of the many ways in which Eng
Iishmen grow rich. There are also usurers
in India, but they do not, in my country,
call themselves lawyers A prosecution
My friend, it is for us to prosecute. Shall
We show that you have done tho same thing
with many othersl You are, by this time,
well known in the neighborhood, Mr..
Chalker, and you arc so much beloved that
there arc many who would be delighted to
relate their experiences and dealings with
20 clever man. Have you ever studied,
one asks with wonder the prscepts OF the
great Sage who founded your religion"
"Oh, come. don't let us have any religious
nonsenser'
II assure you they are worth studying l
am, myself, an humble follower OF eau
tama, but have read those precepts with
profit. In tho kingdom imagined by that
preacher, there is no room for usurers, MIR.
Chalker. Where, then. will be your king
doml Every man must be somewhere. You
must have a kingdom and king"
''This is tomfooleryr Mr.. Chalkcr turned
red, and looked very uncomfortable. "Stick
to business. Payment Din full Those are
my terms"
"You think, then, that the precepts OF
your sage are only intended for men while
they sit in the church, Many Englishmen
think So have Observed
Payment in full. mister That's what
want"
He banged his fist on the table.
mo Abatement No mercy shown to an
old man on the edge of the gravel Think.
Mr.. Chalker. You will soon be as old as
Mr.. Emblem your hair as white, your rea-
son as unsteady"
Payment in full and no more words"
"It Is well Then Mr. Chalker. L have