The Republican., 1888-11-10

iiluiseil I0f naVlng introduced the
ring; but Solomon, while appreciat-
ing his sons astuteness, was not to
be deprived of the credit Of having,
as he said, made the best of bad
bargain.l
The day, however, had yet another
surprise in store. Thesinnceent rail-
lefy in which Solomon and his son
bad indulged had hardly subsidized
when Mr.. Wilkins again appeared
unon the scene. With a smile of
recognition, he advanced towards
Solomon, and informed him that, ace
cording to promise, be had come to
return the loan with which he had
been favored on the previous day.
deposited the amount with his ticket
on the counter. and politely asked
for his ring. solomon ana his SON
were stupefed. and for some secouds
gazati N confn-ion al each other. The
silence was effectually broken by
solomon, who, addressing Mr.. Wit
kins, explained that having detected
that the stones were spurious, they
had assumed-and too hastily, as it
now ppeared-that he would not re-
turn to redeem the ring, and it had,
therefore, been sold. AT this intelIi.
gence the rage of Mr.. Wilkins was
intense. 1t was evident, he said,
that they were incompetent to Judge
of the value Of the ring, which was,
at least, three times as great-as the
paltry sum which they had lent him.
For what had they sold it? Five
pounds? Ridiculous! They knew
that they had no right to sell prop.
erty received in pledge except at the
time and in the manner authorized
by law; and had they possessed the
right to sell his ring, how could they
justify their accepting even five
pounds for it, seeing that they did
not believe the diamonds to be gen
uine? In answer to these pertinent
Inquiries Solomon could only tender
an humble apology for his mistake
Bat this, as was to be expected, was
hardly sufficient, and threatening to
consult his legal adviser, Mr.. Will
kins strobe towards the door,
Solomon could not disguise from
himself that it would be extremely
awkward to have his character for
fair dealing successfully impeached
in court of justice. He had also,
as he knew. directly violated the law
in two respects-first, in selling
within the year allowed for redemp-
tion !, ,aad seco, .ssiS, ~ selling pri-
vaiely instead Of by public auction.
As he reflected upon his position, his
mind filled with alarm, fact which
Mr.. Wilkins did not fail to perceive.
Solomon therefore besOught him not
to create unpleasantness, and ex-
3 pressed his readiness to make every
atonement for the consequences of his
error. This cOnciliatory attitude on
the part of Solomon seemed to soften
| the resentment Of Mr.. Wilkins. The
ring, he said, was souvenir, and he
priced it highly on that account. But
he had no desire to take undue adj
vantage of SOiomon's mistake, and
would be satisfied with the money
value of tine ring, which, at the low
est estimate, he put at $50. 1t was
painful to solomon to ace, de to these
terms, but it was clear to him that ne
had no alternative. He was also
wise enough to perceive that. while
some part of his conduct would re-
celVe the censure of many, the other
part would provoke the laughter of
all. He therefore doled out the $50,
which Mr.. Wilkins leisurely gathered
up, and, bidding both Solomon and
his son Il friendly adieu, left theshop
with the air of one who telt that he
was benefactor to his race.
On the following day Solomon
CHANGED to be at the local railway
station ; and had there fingered in
his mind the slightest DOUBT that he
had been cruelty victimized, it would
have been rudely dispelled when, at
one of the windows of train slowly
steaming away he deserted the jubi-
liant faces of both Mr.. Wilkins and
the elderly gentlemen, the purchaser
of the ring. Solomon's emotion at
the sight, and his utter helplesSness,
must be left to the lm magination of the
reader - Chambers JOmndL.
A Temporary Loan.-ChumIey--
"I'm in a little fix to-day, Brown,