The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-09-08

past. Never mind that-when man has
four or five thousand year, people are not
too particular about his antecedents. may
take place a little way out Of London-be
a sort of county magnate for bit-and
work my way into decent club. Let them
say what they like behind my back, they'd
be bound to be civil to my face, and that's
all that any one need care. Half the peers
in England would go crazy if they only knew
what theirservants were saying about them.
Fools, we're all, more or less, tarred with
the same brush, thinking vermin as we are,
if this new theory of evolution, or whatever
it's called be true. No, il l once get foot
into good club, they could not get it out
again, if l can only afford to act respectfully.
Let them whisper what they like behind my
back, all that l have to deal with is what is
said or done before my face, and the hounds
would be silent, for they can prove nothing.
If the brutes have to lick me what do l care
if they would like to bite. Heavens, what
contemplate thing is human naturep the
great Napoleon used to say when he was
young man starving in Paris. Contemplate
is not the word. Worthless-indifferen
unworthy of even contempt-poor wretched
puppets. You band together, and club your
wretched selfishness into what you call re-
spectability. Respect Why you will have
more real respect for me, who'll force my
way, and walk alone among you, than you
have for the sleelSest creature Of your pack.
Yes, Lions walk alone, iackals herd
together as Pitt used to say, and one can
play the Pitt or the Napoleon in private, as
well as in public life, if need be. Yes, l
have only to wait now till Mr.. Oswald
smashes up the little that's left of his con-
stitution. Not many months at the further
est Strange that the last 10000 should
come altogether in this way; might have
been three or four years getting it together.
Perhaps longer. Who can telll We make
more bad debts than people think, and, like
the snail crawling up the post, might now
and then, have slipped down at night twice
as far as had crawled during the day,
''But here, the whole thing is done. The
last ten thousand made, as the saying is by
stroke of my pen. And yetit's curious how
have had a suspicion from the first mo-
ment set eyes upon this brat that he'd be
at once my making and my ruin. Tush
such nonsense; the thing is perfectly legal,
and the money is perfectly safe. Even if l
lost it, I'd be very far from ruined; but it is
quite safe. So, Mr.. Oswald, you shall have
your thousand pounds, more especially as
you are pretty certain to kill yourself with
it. Still | have a strange liking for the lad.
He has good qualities with all his folly
But oh, humbug! what have l to do with
these feelingsl If l had any one to leave
my money to-a child of my own to inherit
my wealth. might wish to leave it little
cleaner than it is. Yes, it's hard to think
that the riches for which have toiled will
go to people who curse my name--if don't
leave them to the nation, or turn them
into cash and fling it into the sea before l
die. Come I'M"
The last two words were in answer to a
knock at the door.
"Mr Oswald, sir" said boy who acted
as a sort of clerk to Mr. Heath
"Show him in" said the latter as he re-
sumed his seat at the table.
A tall, handsome but very delicate young
man entered the room.
''Well, young sir, what can do for you?"
said Heath in a gruff voice, which was in
tended to be pleasant and assuring.
One of Mr.. Heath's peculiarities was that
he seemed to take delight in making his
clients state their business as often as pos
sible, however well he might be acquainted
with it.
''You can offer me chair if you want to
NC Wv lli dllll Il glass Ol DTduuy IL you re IN
clined to be friendly" replied Oswald, in a
languidly familiar manner, which Just Dor
dered on being contemptuous.
so, please be seated, my dear sir if you
insist on ceremony" said Heath, pushing
the bottle and a glass toward his visitor as
he spoke. "And now, besides offering you
chair and little brandy, what else can |
do for your"
'Well, confound It'll you know what I
have come about You have had my letter.
What's the use of asking such questions"
was the impatient rejoinder.
Eyes. l have had your letter, but don't
like the business. tell you frankly, don't
like to see a young man running himself as
youare doing"
80, curse it all! have not come here to
be lectured," interrupted Oswald, angrily.
"Will you do the thing or not? This is
Thursday. l must have the money by
Saturday night"
81 would have to give notice to the trus-
tees of this fresh charge, and there is barely
time to get the thing through. l would
rather you took the matter somewhere
else" replied Heath, obviously.
But is impossible, and must meet my
engagements on Monday" was the answer.
1ue result Oh some IurJner conversation
was that Mr. Heath, with great show of
reluctance, suffered himself to be persuaded
to have every thing ready to make this
further and final advance on Saturday.
You will have twenty pounds in gold,
eight ten-pound notes, and the remaining
nine hundred pounds Short" said Oswald
as he was leaving the room.
yes l hope you will take care Of it," re-
piled Heath.
81 shall win twenty thousand over the
Guineas. Good evening"" was the answer,
and Mr. Oswald took his departure.
On Saturday Oswald duly received the
81 900 after he had executed deed, by
which he assigned the policy Of assurance
and his life interest in the e15,000 consols
to Mr. Heath. According to the will of the
late Mr. Oswald, the a15,000 was, if Robert
Oswald died without issue, to pc paid to
distant relative who lived in America.
Mrs. Oswald, may add, derived her in
come from certain investments in Ameri-
can railway stocks. She was supposed to
be very well off, but it was curious thing
that, though she went good deal into
society, nobody seemed to know much
about either her or her late husband. They
had come from America about five years
before and taken house in Dorchester Ter
race, Bayswater.
The late Mr.. Oswald brought very salts
factory references from Chicago, kept a
very good balance at his bank, and enter