The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-04-17

a fve-shilling piece, two half crowns and
seven-and-s ence in small change. Mrs.
Hoardlings recOunted it hesitatingly.
at is right, believer" said the poets
wife.
Observation-Disclosures certainly; but
then this five-shillnger," said Mrs. Hoard
lings, Inspecting that coin rather curiousiy,
which, whether known or unknown, was
an old acquaintance. 49,,
what do you mean, Mrs. Hoardlinss p
said the poet, rising from his seat.
THAT this here fve-shlllinger is bad
'un" said Mrs. Hoardlings, bridling up, in
course. do not say as how you knOwed 1t. :"
"a bad one!' repeated the poet, turning
red-a sign much more frequently OF nerv-
business than of guilt. Let me see II, Mrs.
Hoardlings % He struck the fve-shlling
piece upon the table it emitted a dull
leaden sound: he examined its rim-it was
irregular. you are right, Mrs. Hoard
ling>," said he. his face changing to white;
sit is bad one l took it from an omnibus
man last night.
"Oh, the rascalv' exclaimed Mrs. Hoard
lings, almost bursting with righteous lndig-
nation.
"Who would have thought he would have
cheated us under such circumstances
murmured the poet's wife.
Let us not judge. my dear" said the
poet, turning to his wife, perhaps the
man was no more aware of its being bad
coin than ourselves. Mrs. Hoardlings," he
continued, II am very sorry, but as TINS has
occurred | have not the means to settle your
bill. We had the misfortune to lose some
cash last night in running after the omnl-
bus. You can take enough for the rent,
and we will settle for the articles furnished
when we pay next week"
Mrs. Hoardlings hesitated moment, and
then replied: ''What must be, must, sup
pose Haven't got, cant pay, anyhow.
But it's best as speak to the master and
with these words, and a most mysterious
air, she departed with the good twelve-and-
six penee, leaving the bad fye-Shillina piece
on the table.
An age OF suspense was crowded into a
minute. Presently in bounced Mrs. Hoard
linGs again, without the usual ceremony OF
rapping at the door.
master says that he cannot understand
trustingw she exclaimed. "Our business
has always been ready-money one. How
sumever, as you are here, we'll try another
week; but master says as how you'll please
to take weeks warning to leave. Literary
people is so unsartin, as you knows as well
as we" concluded Mrs. 'HOardlings.
VERY well, Mrs. Hoarllings," replied
the poet, " understand, and take your no.
tice; but l have no doubt Of being able to
pay you next week"
Hope so, sir, said Mrs Hoardlings, re-
firing.
Oh, the poor poetI Oh, the poorer Mrs.
,
in LimehouSe Fields Bad five shilling
piece.
a sad week ii was to the poet. he wrote
TO the editors who owed him money; he
called at theiR Offices it was all in vain.
Sons were out OF town, others more honestly
declared that they would only settle at their
own convenience, and those contributors
who were not satisfied might suit themselves
elsewhe Meanwhile the bad fve-shllling
piece had rested untouched on the mantel-
piece. There it lay. the unconscious in
Strument which had accelerated, II not pro-
duCed, the present misfortune OF tno poet
On the Sunday evening the poet had noticed
ii, and, saying, poor thing, thou shalt do no
more injury, threw 1t into the fire. 1t was
a shapeless mass of lead.
Rent-day arrived. A sad seriousness sat
on the faces of both the poet and his wife.
He mad determined to pay and to leave.
lie had given up all hope of receiving any
money to meet the emergency, and lie there
fore took the watch his father had left him
TO the pawn broker, and returned with the
sum advanced upon II, which was more
than was requisite to pay Mrs Hoardlings'
claim. She accordingly was summoned up,
and appeared in a suilen state. The money
was counted out TO her, and the poet then
stated tht in accordance with her notice
they were about departing.
Going, sir!' said Mrs. Hoardlings; 81
only meant you to go if you could not pay"
"PrObaOly Sc" said the poet, but we
received formal notice, Mrs. Hoard .ngs,
and we intend to abide by it."
At this moment the postman raped at
the street door, and the girl ran up with a
letter for the poet. He opened it aud found
inclOsed check for s. from the SiX-penny
Magazine. The poets wife smiled. Mrs
Hoard ings, also having caught sight OF
the check and probably magniied its
amount. was urgent for them to stop. she
was sure she did not wish them to part
not she Only her master and she were
hard working people ana could not afford to
lose. Shs brgged their pardon if she had
been too Qulck-that she did. However,
the poet was determined 10 leave, and he
did so.
The Hoardlings' apartments remained
empty for over three months, when they
succeeded in getting new tenants, who
cleared out in a month without paying any
rent. Thus, through re-passing that FIVE
shilling piecS, Mrs. Ho1rdlngs lost nearly
81. Perhaps 1t wOuld have paid her better
to have kept the coin. What do you Think
MOmanrS