Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1885-03-05

the devil; and I might have kept the
last rag of pride, instead of throwing
it away for something less than far
said. I know
Il did it for the best, neighbor Black
thorn. spent six good shillings on
ten old wharf that you wouldn't put
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
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 | went into business the self
same day. For no fault of his own,'
says 1; for 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, | didn't mince
matters: l put it plain and strong"
land l 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--"
Dye take me for a nincompoop?
No. | told him just plain out how
things were"
..How things are! Good Lord, Mar
IRISH! you never went to tell the old
curmudgeon that I haven't got a horse
in the stable, nor a 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
golden fork. Ay, told him all. l put
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 I 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 penny, and a
bargain a bargain; and the man who
says it isn't's rogue, and the man
who lets him say it's fool. Tell him
to 90 to the devil-and those were his
very words-'and here's twopence-
! half-penny to pay the toll.
| Tom Blackthorn sprang from his seat
| like a young man, and his old eyes
| flashed fire. The old scoundrel-the
old villain! to insult my 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. 1 couldn't go
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. IT'S not your fault,
neighbor; one can't expect one that
isn't born Blackthorn to look at
things with Blackthorn eyes. I've got
no way left to be shamed. now. I've
tried 'em all. The best thing [ can do
is to hang myself up to the beam in the
big barn.
Its solemn pity" said the othe1
'sthe 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 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 a long fairer
start than l ever had, Tom..Blackthorn:
and now Tm-well, tidily warm, and
where are you?''
GAY. You've the right to crow,
Enoch Marrish. So crow away"
s'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 a 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?'
s.What?" asked Farmer Blackthorn,
with bewildered stare.
"Five-and-twenty 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 pounds9'
"And forty-three. Isn't it right?'
night. vi couISc IL II8llt. uOu I
want reminding of my debts. I know
'em by heart. But do you mean to say.
Enoch Marrish-you that know me and
my affairs sea-deep and -high-do
you mean to say you We come to ask a
beggar that's just been kicked out OF
doors for a hundred pounds?"
''Come-Tm not that sort, as you
ought to know. How many creditors d
90 through what Eve gone through
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. l don't see why l should have
to lose. A hundred pounds a hundred
pounds; and business is business; and
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. l knew
'twould come to that, before long.
Well suppose it's but fair, since It's
the law"
Jail? No. What good'd that dc
me9 Jail, indeed-when there's the
land"
.Land9" asked Farmer Blackthorn
What land?"
Legs Croft. What else should i,
| ba9',