Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1894-02-08
CHAPTER XIV.

Next day brought the admiral check
for $4,000 from Mr.. McAdam, and a
stamped agreement by which he made
over his pension papers to the specula-
tive investor. 1t was not until he had
signed and sent it off that the full sig
niicance of all that he had done broke
upon him. He had sacrificed everything.
His pension was gone. He had nothing
save only what he could earn. But the
stout old heart never quailed. He
waited eagerly for letter from the St.
Lawrence Shipping company. and in
the meanwhile he gave his landlord a
quarters notice Hundred pound year
houses would in future be a luxury
which he could not aspire to. A small
lodging in some inexpensive part of Lon
don must be the substitute for his breezy
Norwood villa. So be it then! Better
that thousandfold than that his name
should be associated with failure and
disgrace.
On that morning Harold Denver was
to meet the creditors of the firm and to
explain the situation to them. 1t was a
hateful task. degrading task, but he
set himself to do it with quiet resolution.
At home they waited in intense anxiety to
learn the result of the meeting. 1t was
late before he returned, haggard and
pale, like a man who las done and suf-
fered much.
Whats this board in front of the
house" he asked.
I'VE are going to try little change
of scene" said the admiral. ''This place
is neither town nor country. But never
mind that, boy. Tell US what happened
in the city"
:'God help me! My wretched business
is driving you out of house and homeI"
cried Harold. broken down by this fresh
evidence of the effects of his misfor-
tunes. "It is easier for me to meet MY
creditors than to see you two suffering
so patiently for my sake"
Tut, tut, cried the admiral There's
no suffering in the matter. Mother
would rather be near the theaters. That
at the bottom of it, isn't it, mother? You
come and sit down here between US and
tell us all about it."
Harold sat down with loving hand in
each of his
Its not so bad as we thought, said
he, land yet it is bad enough. have
about 10 days to find the money, but
don't know which way to turn for it,
Pearson, however, lied as ua:-cl when he
spoke of e13,00O. The amount is not
quite $1,000"
The admiral clapped his hands. q
knew we should weather it after all!
Hurrah, my boy! Hip. hip, hip, hurrahr'
Harold gazed at him in surprise while
the old seaman waved his arm above his
head and beloved out three stentorian
cheers. Where am to get 1000 from,
dad?" he asked.
Never mind. You spin your yarn"
"Well, they were very good and very
kind, but of course they must have either
their money or their moneys worth.
They passed vote Of sympathy with
me and agreed to wait 10 days before
they took any proceedings. Three of
them, whose claim came to e3.50O, told
me that if would give them my per-
sonal o q and pay interest at the rate
of per cent their amounts might stand
over as long as wished. That would
be charge of e175 upon my income.
but with economy could meet it, and
it diminishes the debt by one-half."
Again the admiral bursts out cheering.
"There remains, therefore, about e3. 200
which has to be found within 10 days. No
man shall lose by me. gave them my
word in tie room that if worked my
soul out of my body every one of them
should be paid. ! shall not spend a
penny upon myself until it is done. But
some of them can't wait. They are poor
men themselves and must have their
money. They have issued a warrant for
Pearson's arrest. But they think that
he has got away to the States"
"These men shall have their money!"
said the admiral
"Dadr"
"Yes, my boy, you don't know the re-
sources of the family. One never does
yourself nowP'
II have about 81 900 invested"
"All right. And | have about as much
more. There's good start. Now, moth
er, it is your turn. What is that little
bit of paper of yours"
Mrs. Denver unfolded it and placed it
upon Harold's knee.
"Five thousand pounds!" he gasped.
"Ah, but mother is not the only rich
one. Look at this!'' And the admiral
unfolded his check and placed it upon the
other knee.
Harold gazed from one to the other in
bewilderment. "Ten thousand pounds!"
he cried. Good heavens! where did
these come fromY'
"You will not worry any longer,
dear" murmured his mother, slipping
her arm round him.
But his quick eye had caught the sig
nature upon one Of the checks. 'Dr.
Walkerr he cried, flushing. This is
Clara's doing. Oh, dad, we cannot take
this money. 1t would not be right nor
honorable"
mo, boy. am glad You think 80. 1t
Is something, however, to have proved
ones friend, for real good friend he is.
1t was he who brought it in, though
Clara sent him. But this other money !