The Bessemer indicator., 1893-08-19

up rocking chair Of ample dimen-
sions, and proceeded TO make . few
traditional inquiries.
20, Billings" said the banker in
answer to his last question, II am
not sick physically. but mentally"
He could think Of nothing else to
say. The lawyer looked nonplussed.
"Sick mentality" echoed Billings.
"What. something the matter with
your head, do you mean?"
Henson almost smiled, but he re-
tained his composure. He felt that
his cue had come. 1t was now or
never.
Billings" he muttered. al am a
ruined man. l have lost to-day
$40. 900. and. on my honor, haven't
q cent L"
The lawyer pushed his chair back
and whistled.
II dropped $75. 900 on tho Butter
town mining deal Jacob Thompson
bought up every share he could get
his hands on, and froze me out com
pletely."
"But, by heavens." put in the law
yer. "you are not ruined by that?"
Hcnson's face seemed to be losing
its color. He was evidently growing
worse. His eyes looked CLASSY in
the fires light. and his lips seemed
to twitch uncommonly Us he said:
"Sam Billings, you have always
been friend to me. l have never
contided much of my business toyou.
although have often thought that
II should ever find myself in trouble
and in need of an adviser. could go
at once to you with the perfect as
surance of help Can l tell you.
with-with that assurance, some-
thing which. six months ago, would
not have oven dared to think OFF"
The lawyer had listened attcn-
lively He was profoundly i'm
pressed. He pulled out his hand
kerchief and blew his nose vlgor-
ously, then said:
"Henson, old boy, tell me every
thing. Once your friend, always
your friend" and he took the bank
er's hand and pressed it consolingly.
He was prepared to hear almost any
thing, and his eyes were moistening
percoptibly as he looked into his
friends pitifal face.
"Billings," said the banker, tho
words seeming to stick IN his throat.
81 am deeply grateful for your SYM
pathy. Billings-Sam-I am short
100000 in my accounts with the
bank"
The lawyer sprang out of his chair
as if an electric shock had been sent
through him. The banker was in
wardly struggling to suppress smile
He did smile, but he had presence of
mind enough to conceal his face with
his handkerchief
"You short in-you, Henson,-my
God! You!" cried poor Billings in
his frenzy.
The banker said nothing, only let
his head fall forward. Billings
imagined he had tainted, and rushed
over to a small table and dashed out
tumblcrful OF brandy. Then he
hurried back. and knelt down on one
knee beside the bankers chair.
"Hcrc. poor fellow. drink this. Do
for my sake, it will"
Henson pushed the glass away, and
got still keeping the handkerchief
up to his face.
"Come, Billings" he muttered,
trembling all over, "I cannot endure
this any longer. / must"
"Go to bed" suggested the lawyer,
softly, as he took him tenderly by
the arm.
mo! Go to dinner!' Henson
shouted. and he burst out laughing
and waved his handkerchief over his
head with all his might.
Billings jumped away from him
like flash and grew pale with hor-
ror, for it was evident that Henson
had gone clean crazy.
The banker recovered himself suf-
ficiently to pull the telegram from
his pocket and pass it to him. Bill
lings took it cautiously, retreated
step, and read it. Theu he glared at
the banker.
What do you mean2" he asked.
as the color began to come back to
his checks.
at just means, said Henson, THAT
you arc the biggest cbmckle-headcd
creature ever sawl That man of
your pretensions and standing
should be hoodwinked is truly pa
thetic. Don't you see! I've made
$75,000! felt SO elated that l do
cided to invite you up to the house
to have celebration. By thunder!
I've made you serious for once in
your life!"
The lawyer began to see through
the affair. and he. too, burst out
laughing, and cried:
"Well, I'll be-"
"No! Don't do that" said Henson,
catching him by the arm. "just
smooth your hair hit, and come
down to dinner. American Guilt
vator