Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1888-10-11
THE BITTER BIT"

Maj Dc Lancy was sitting az his club
in Charles street smoking He was, for
the time being. alone. and not only was
bis face serious, but he was drawing at
his cigar with q certain t~erceness which
denoted anger and annoyance.
Hello, De Lancy, Csied u well known
voice. What & upS You look as grave
as an undertaken.
And you as though you would soSa
require my services. | may safety echo
your question! Why, Eaaa you are but
the shadow of the meFry lad who joined
us not faaay years ago. You're going the
pace loo fast
Il know it; but it's too late to put the
drag on"
Not q biz Of Il. II is never too late to
mend-turn over a new leaf.
Il would if l could tear out tho old ono,
q Ia Dixie; but I'm in debt and difficulties,
and cannot cStric9ta myself"
The major continued to pull strongly at
his eigar, and silence fell between them.
Charlie" he said, looking up sud
denly, I'm on homo "a morrow to York.
shire. Tho preserves are good-lots Of
YQpng birds, aud this is only the LIST of
teptember. / should have started yester-
day, you may be sure, but for something
which has rather put lie out and detained
me here against my wilt Aud now. my
boy, suppose you accompany meS 1t viii
give you plenty Of time 10 c0ntidc your
troubles t9 Iaa, IL y0u feel inclined. |
snVe asked a few good fellows down, and
py dear old mother and pretty ,ilyle
sister will make you welcome. They
always come and take sare Of me and my
friends at M littie shooting box, and de-
class they like il. although it cannot DO
half 50 comfortable as their own home
But they hayeyour society 90 make up
for it,"
That IS what they say. They are
weak enough 70 believe in me completely, T"
he laughed.
Not SO very wrong. cithoH" returned
Charles NaDe with o S4ile, ''but arc you
suro they wogldhT think me an awful
borci'
a@aftc; they extend their welcome to
my friends. Shall we start BY tho after
noon train2"
1T IS Wwfally good Of you"
"And you will Gomez
II should like. it muchly-ii was Il
lucky chance for me which kept you ID
town. It's an i'll wind which brings good
TO no onc."
Then that Is qettlcd. 1t is tho first
time | l&Ve ceased to feel savage for the
past tw0 days.
That IS pat much in your line either.
major. Your circumstances and DISPOSE
ton seem generally TO make life an easy
matter with YOU"
"Well, I'm a bit OF tho line now. 1t is
not pleasant 70 receive a demand from a
man yop don't know, TO return him a
tL0usand pounds which you have never
borrowed. ROW Is itt'
by Jove, mol Who has been trying on
that game with your"
"Cheatham, the advertising money
lender OF Swindlc street"
The deuce be has! He's tho sharpcst
old be4gar IN town; Jow to the backbone,
although he eats pork liko a Christian.
and would produce his baptismal certif.
cato at a few hours notice If YOU doubted
Ills assurance Of his religious, views. There
is no dodge he - act up To-"
well, 1t is a case Of tho bitter bit this
time; he has been had, at last"
what, old CheGthaml ia like 10 shake
hands with the ulan who could outwit
him.
Il don't think l should.
I'm all curiosity major; do tell me
about 1t.
Wen. the day before yesterday I had
got my leave, and had made up my mind
to travel from Plymouth by the night
train. when | received q letter from the
money lender, telling me my bill was due,
and requesting immediate payment of the
same. ! wired back that there must be
some mistake, as had given him 40 bill.
and received a return telegram saying
There was no mistake yhatever.' UDon
which ! took this strange communication
0vcr to the Colonel, and asked his advice.
It was to run up to London at once. and
sift the matter. did so, and here | oul. s.
"And what about the billg"
1T had been given him by some re-
presenting himself to be- me, and very
Cheatiam's Office and sent in his card,
Maj George De Lancy, 10th Fusiliers.
.'The eagle eyed one of course saw him,
and by his own account was very polite,
Tho stranger seems TO have been q
mar Of about my own age, Of military
and g%entlemanly appearance
"Ha told Cheatham that he had indie
pendent means, but that he was for the
moment inco~nvenienced fer a little ready
money IN consequence OF some family
matters, end that he had made up his
mind to borrow 81, 900, but from who
over he might get it he should require q
promise Of strict secrecy, and the sum
should be returned in three months, but
he would permit no Inquiries to DO made
concerning him
HE Vas not In the habit Of borrowing.
and 1t would ennoy him greatly If tho
transaction became known
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