Middletown transcript., 1891-06-11
8 will yon take the shilling p


knows | am very poor, and shilling
is a great temptation to q poor man,
but | won't part with my Bible ;
, where is it 7"
, Here it is. replied the inspector,
giving it to him, with halfcon-
temptuous, Multiplying smile.
The old man clasped it to his breast
with a joyous chuckle, still reiterating
his assurances that it was of no value
whatever. The inspector smiled
again, for he pitied the state Of trem-
ulous anxiety into which the poor
miser worked himself about his
treasure. When they reached the
hospital, he used his interest to per-
suade the nurses to connive at old
Barnet taking his Bible to bed with
him.
! The next morning he paid him a
| visit again, and expressed great re-
gret at hearing that the old man had
sustained internal injuries Of a very
serious character, in consequence of
his fall. #a
/ Well, Master Barnet he said. as
he seated himself by the bedside, "did
you find it all rightf'
Find what all right p repeated
the miser, looking frightened.
Why, the money, to be sure. !
looked at it.
Oh, but they're not real! they're
not real They're only false ones that
l have put in there, just for-.or-for
amusement-only for amusement, I
assure you !"
Now, don't tell lies upon that bed
that you may perhaps never get up
from. | know the notes are good
ones"
= There is one five pound note that
is good, but all the rest are not worth
farthing. Indeed, they are not"
!" l tell you I saw two or three
ffties as good as any / ever looked at;
so don't deny it. You need not be
afraid Of me, man. Why, if I'd had
mind --torob you, couldn't I have
taken some of them out, and nobody
have been bit the wiser, except you,
and you'd have kept quiet for fear Of
betraying the restY
"Oh, dear oh, dear! what shall |
do !? If / should die, what will become
of it?"
1t will go to the funds Of TIE
hospital, 1 suppose" replid the in
spector. But I'lItell you what
should advise you to do; when you
feel that your time is up. I'd just make
handsome present to the nurse or
nurses, that have been kindest to you,
and give the rest to the charity, if
you've got no relations that would be
the better for it."
No, I've no relations-not soul
that owns me"
Well, then. give it where it will
do good. You'll die none the harder
for knowing that you've made others
comfortable with your money. But
perhaps you'll get over it. You are
not dead nor dying get"
will you come and see me again.
asked the miser, ID feeble voice, as
the inspector rose to 60 away.
Yes, I'll look in tomorrow morn
ing. Goodbye"
Barnet held out his withered, yellow
hand. which looked as though his
parsimony bad extended for years
even to the cheap luxury of soap. The
inspector pressed it gently. and went
his way. Probably that was the only
kind and friendly touch which that
withered, grasping hand had felt for
years. How its warm, sympathizing
pressure must have thrilled to the old !
miser's shrivelled heart!
When the friendly inspector called
the following morning, the patient
was almost at his last gasp. He knew
it; but still he hugged the Bible to
his breast
"When I'm gone," he whispered,
4" take tits for you-all for you !;
but give her a pound; she's been up
with me all night"
shall / pay the funeral expensesw
asked the inspector.
mo, no that would be waste" re-
piled the miser, the ruling passion
being literally strong in death "leave
all that to the hospital. Let them do
it; why should I be burthened with
the expense I'm very poor-very
poor indeed !"
He dozed for few minutes, and
then. suddenly opening his eyes, he
exclaimed: :
You offered me shilling for my
Bible, and now you think to have it
without paying. Why don't you give |
me the shillingf"
"Here is one," said the inspector.
"Aye, that's right-that's right
Pm glad l thought of that-I'm glad
1 thought of that! !"
And, murmhring these words in
voice that became weaker and weaker,
and holding the shilling all the while
tight in his hand, the old miser fell
gently into sound sleep-the one
sound sleep in which we shall all find
repose at last.
It's all over with him, poor soul!
observed the nurse 4" so here's his
old Bible, that he told me to mind
and give to you, sir"
, =" And here" said he, opening it,
and turning over the leaves" is a
five pound note which he has just
told me I should find in it, and which
he wished you to have for your kind
ness to him."
"Lord bless me !" cried the woman,
"who could have thought it? And
there may be another in it Do let US
see
Yes, there is another, and that is
for me-" he said, putting the book
into bis pocket, and going away.
He never mentioned the sum which |
the miser's Bible contained; possibly |
for fear of some lawyer getting in
telligence of it, and coming down |
L.. e. lo~oo~, l,,k~, 1880 |