Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1886-05-17


"My dear Grabber, we must think
over It," he responded. 81 owe a
duty 10 my family not to involve
them in ruin if it can be avoided"
"Well, Sharpus,' said Mr.. Grab
ber, significantly, ''perhaps you had
better leave Mr.. Flusk to me; we
shall, no doubt, be able to make some
satisfactory arrangement"
81 sincerely hope so, gentlemen,
said Mr.. Sharpus, as he took his
leave.
Left to themselves, an awkward 81
lence fell upon the two partners. Mr..
Grabber, however, was much the
more self-possessed. He whistled
~e.I h;-.-enlf nvtrn ntnd from tho
drawer of his desk sheet of paper
with an elaborate crest and mono
gram on it, and began to write let
ter, glancing occasionally at Mr..
Flusk, whose obvious misery he
seemed to enjoy exceedingly. The
latter gentleman paced up and down
the office, the very picture of despair
he muttered to himself, rubbed his
head in bewilderment, and referred
occasionally to a piece of paper in
his hand, on which were written sew
eral columns of figures. At length
he spoke:
"Are you aware, sir" he began,
that you and that vagabond son of
yours have brought me to the verge
of bankruptcy"
"Perfectly," replied the unmoved
Grabber; "but 1 don't see the use of
repeating such unpleasant truths
"What are we to do?" almost
screamed the other.
"Sit still and be quiet?" snapped
his partner. Gone might think that
no one was concerned in the matter
but yourself. Do you suppose that
l like it?''
Mr.. Flusk, being completely under
his partners thumb, obeyed, and Mr..
Grabber remained silent for some
minutes, apparently buried in un-
pleasant thoughts.
"We must get Peckham's ac-
counts" he at length said, "or there
is no help for 1.-THE bank will have
to CO."
"How are we to get it?" asked
Flusk, freely.
1--WE must bribe the solicitor, of
course, and l dare say, the dowager,
is to be got at. She's a young wo-
man. and handsome stIll-sure to
--rn har dress m q knr a few thousands.
Let me see, Flint is the famll y solic-
itor."
"And "A very difficult man to deal
with, said Fiusk. You won't find
him very easy to get over. l can tell
you. And between ourselves, you
know, our credit is by no means what
it was. People must see that we
can't go on taking up that internal
young scamp's bills forever"
Hang him % muttered his affec
tionate father, 81 wish he'd break
his neck
Flusk evidently shared the pious
sentiment, but he was somewhat Of
a hypocrite and merely turned up hi'
eyes in simulated horror.
''Supposing we do get Peckham's
account" he inquired, "what's to b'
done next"
"Pay Tony out, of course, ant
take our chance -
"Where's the money to com,
from?"
ST suppose we can borrow it from
Peckham," said Mr.. Grabber, with
grin.
s'For heavens sake, be careful 7
cried Flusk, turning quite pale; ''bu
/ fear there's nothing else to b
done"
And so the two gentlemen parted
it being arranged that Mr.. Grabber
as usual, was to do the dirty work O
negotiating with MI. Flint and Lad
Rye, while Mr.. Flusk was to presen
smiling face to creditors, and striv
his utmost to allay unpleasant rumol
about the banks stability.
Mr.. Flint, as Mr.. Flusk had propf
esied, turned out a very awkwar
customer. He had no false delicac
about accepting a commission, 8
Mr.. Grabber delicately called it;
fact, the only question between the
was that of the precise amount. Br
he positively declined to advise Lor
Peckham to intrust his capital
Messrs. Grabber, Flusk & Grabber
. care, unless he could obtain very sa
isfactory and convincing evidene
, of the firms solvency. Mr.. Grabb'
assumed an air of virtuous indign;
ton, but Flint was unshaken. Tt
former then offered to double tt
J commission, but the astute lawy'
began to smell rat, and pointe
; out that his reputation as family az
, wiser was at stake, and that he mu
have positive proofs of the firms s
| lidity.
"You don't expect US to subm
: our books to you, sir?" asked Gral
Der. "Such thing is absolutely u
heard Of
, "No, / don't want that exactl
\ but l must have something -
ssOf course; that's but right, al
| have every confidence that | shs
j be able to satisfy you," replied tt
j | hanLor euallowinlr hi. fnru