The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-10-09
THE Bitter BIT

Mai. De Lancy was sitting az his club
in Charles street smoking tie was. for
the time being. alone. and not only was
his face serious. but Le vas drawing at
his cigar with q certain iiereeness which
denoted anger and annoyance.
Hello. De IA.cy.' cried well known
voice What upY You look as grave
as an undertaken
and YOU as though You would soon
require my services | may safely echo
your ouestios Why. Vane you are but
The shadow Of the merry lad who joined
us not many years ago You' re going the
pace 100 fast
Il know it; but it's too late to put the
drag on.
Not a bit Of it. It is never too late TO
mcnd-turn over new leaf.
al would if could tear out the old one,
n In Dixie but I'm in debt and difficulties
and cannot extficate myself
The major continued to pull strongly at
his cigar and silence fell between them.
Charlie he said. looking up sud
denly, I'm of homo tomorrow TO York
shire. Tho preserves arc good-lots Of
Young birds. and this is only the LIST Of
September should have started ycs'c--
day. you may b. sure, but for something
which has rather put me out and detained
me here against my wilt. Aud now my
bow. suppose yOl accompany me: 1t VIII
give you plenty Of time 10 coniide your
troubles 10 me, if you feel Inclined. /
have asked few good fellows down and
my dear old mother and pretty little
sister viii make you welcome. They
always come and take caro- OF me and my
friends at ny little shooting box, and de
clarc they like it, although it cannot be
half so comfortable Is their own homo.
but they haycyour society to make up
for it.
THAT is what they say. They arc
weak cnoIgh TO believe in lle completely,
he laughed.
"Not 80 very wrong. either. returned
Charles Nano with smile, but aTc You
sure they wouldn't think me an awful
borel'
Quite; they extend their welcome TO
my friends Snail we start by the after
noon train
1T is awfullg good of You"
and you viii Gomez
Il should like it muchly--it vas n
lucky chance for me which kept you in
town. 1t an iii wind which brings good
TO no one.
Then that is settled. 1t is the first
time have ceased to feel savage for tho
past two days.
THAT j. rot r.uch IL your line either.
major Iour circumstances and DISPOSE
ton seem generally to make life al easy
matter with y0a.
"Wcll. In bit of tho line now. 1t is
not pleasan. 70 receive a demand from
man You don't know, 10 return him
thousand pounds which you have never
borrowed i.ow is it,
by Jove no. Who has been trying on
that game with your
"Cheatham. tho advertising money
lender OF 5windlc street
Tho deuce he Lasl He's tho sharpcst
old beggar in town, Jew to the backbone,
although he cats pork like a Christian,
and woald prodlco his baptismal ccrtiii-
cato at few hours notice if you doubted
hisassurancc Of bis religious views. There
Ii no dodge he is rot up 10. %
"Wcll. it Is q case # the bitter bit this
time; ho has been had at last"
What old Cieatham2 I'd like TO shake
hands with the man who could outwit
him"
Il don't think should
I'm ali curiosity, major do tell ne
about it,
"Wcl, the day before Yesterday ! had
cot my leave, aad had made uf my mind
to travel from Plymouth by the night
t.cin. when | received letter from the
g,oacy lender. telling nc ly bill was due,
and requesting immediate payment OF the
sa.-c 'yircd bac., that there rust be
some rlistasc 10 lad given him no bill,
aud received q r>turn telegram saying:
There waJ 10 mistake whatever. Upon
which took MS strange communication
aver TO the colc-e. and asked his advice.
Il WAS 10 run I'd 10 London at once, and
sift the matter did so, and here | am. ~
"And what about Che bill.'
alt had beCl Given him by some ono re
presenting himself 10 be ne. and very
slevcrly tho rascal did it. lie called at
Chcathain's ofi,o and sent in his card,
Mai. George t. iancy. 10th Fusilicr3.
The eagle eyed one Of course saw hin,
and by his own account was vcry polite.
Tho stranger seems 10 have been .
man of about Ey own age, OF military
aud gcntlemanly appearance.
pcadent means, hut that he was for tho
moment inconvcl fenced for little ready
money in consequence Of some family
matters. and thai he had made up his
xtiud 70 borrow 81 900, but from who
ever 10 might get it he should require
gromise If strict secrecy. and the sum
Should be returI ed in three months, but
re would permit 20 inquiries 20 be made
rancernng him.
.'Ilc was not in the habit Of borrowing,
aid il would cunoy him greatly If the
transaction became known.
"Mr Cheathari promised implicit obe-
Siencc. sworc never TO bciray the majors
confidence. and asked when the money
xonld be required, as he might not be
able 70 supply it for day or two.
His client told him with nonchalance
shat there was DO hurry whatever-the
affair was not pressing, week hence
would do for him admirably. and Cheat
ham, umctuously rubbing his hands to-
xcther, said that would suit him exactly;
rron which the stranger took up his hat
zad gloves and turned to tho door, but
Nr. Cheatham was there before him,
lowing him out with his extra best
sringe.
asnf oo,,rco ho ia ,,,al,o ;pouir;oe Ia