Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-20

from between pouohed underiids and droop.
Ing upper oneA He advanced, glanced
keenly from ono to the other Of his visitors,
and slowly rubbed together his thin blue
veined hands.
II am MI. Reuben Mets1a," ssid the
money-lender. "was It about an advance
you wished to see me?"
eyes"
"For you, I presume" turmngfte Charles
Westmacott.
''No, for this gentleman."
The money-1ender looked sRspEfssd
Elbow much did you desire?"
'I thought of e5 0OO," said the.Admfral
"And on what security?"
II am retired Admiral Of the British
navy. You will find my name in the navy
list There is my card. I have here my
thought that perhaps if You were to hold
these papers it would be security enough
that should pay you. You could draw my
pension and repay yourself at the rate,
say, Of $500 year, taking your percent
interest as WELL"
"What interest?"
Give per cent per annum"
MI. Meta1a lsughed. "Per snnu h
said. give per cent month"
"a month"; That would be Copper seat .,
year."
IIeClSely.
'But that is monstroua"
"I don't ask gentlemen to come to me.
They come Of their own free will. Those
are my terms, and they can take It or
leave it"
'Then I will leave It." The. Admiral
rose angrily from his chair.
But one moment, sir. Just sft down
and we will chat the matterover. Your is
rather unusual case, and We may find
some other way: of doing what you wish.
OF course, the security which you offer Is
no security at al, and no sane man would
advance 5000 pennies on it.
mo security? Why not, dr?"
"You might die tomorrow. You4Rsosk
ayoung man. What age areyou7"
"Sixty-three."
Mr.. Metaxa turned over along column Of
figures. "Here is an ectuary table, said
he. "At your time of life the average ex-
pectsncy of life is only few years evenin
a well-preserved man.
"Do you mean to insinuates thshI amnot
. well-preserved man?"
ssWell, Admiral, it is trying life atseA
Sailors in their younger days are gay dogs,
and take 1t out Of themselves. Then whom
they grow older they are still hard at 1t,
and have no chance Of rest or peace. do
not think sailors life good one"
I'll tell you what, sir" saidsthe>Ad-
miral hotly. IF you have two pairs Of
gloves I'll undertake to knock you out un-
der three rounds. Or I'll race you from
here to st. Paul's, and my friend here will
see fair: I'll let you see whether L am an
old man or not"
'This is beside the question, -" with .
deprecatory shrug. '"The point Is that II
you died tomorrow where would be the
security then?"
'sThen the matter it at an end"
well, we might even now do business I
will advance you s2, 900, and you can make
over to me your pension for your life. 1t is
pure speculation on my part. II you die
tomorrow I lose my money. If you live q
little longer then I may see my money
again. It Is tho very best I can do for
you"
"And if I ivefor 20 years7"
"Oh, IN that case, of course, my. speouls-
tton would be more successful -
The Admiral sat in dire perplexity He
had come out to get money, and to 20 back
without any, to be powerless to help when
his boy needed every shilling to save him
from disaster, that would be very bitter to
him. On the other hand, it was so much
that he surrendered, and 30 little that he
received. Little, and vet something. Would
it not be better than going back empty
handed? He saw the yellow-backed cheoue
book upon the table. The money lender
opened it and dipped his pen into tho ink.
"Shall fill 1t up?" said he.
"I think, Admiral" remarked west.
macott, 'that we had better have.a little
walk and some luncheon before we.settle,
this matter"
"Oh, We may a we'll do,itat once II
would be absurd to postpone It now," Me-
taxa spoke with some heat, and his ewes
glinted angrily from between his narrow
lids at the imperturbsble Charles. The
Admiral was simple In money matters but
he had seen much of men and had learned
to read them. He saw that venomous
glance, and saw, too, that intense eager
ness was peep1Lg out from beneath tho
careless air which the agent had assumed,
you're quite right, Westmacott, I" said
he "WeT have little walk before vs
settle it"
II don't like It" said Charles, when they
found themselves In the street once more,
"a shark and pilot fish, " said the Ad-
miral.
"I'll tell yorwhat propose, sir. There.
q lawyer named McAdam who does nv
aunt's business. He is very honest fei.
low and lives at the other side of Poul-
try. Well go over to him together and
have his opinion about the whole matter. 70
"Well, we've tried the rogues, West
macotti Let US see what We can duwith :,
your honest man." Y
[Io Be Concluded Eez Ssrsssz1