St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1894-06-30
A PLOT SPOILED.
Why Mr.. Wilouahby Didn't Get q
Wished for Loan.

The sun had just dipped behind the
stesly surface of the frozen river; the
chill Of coming twilight sent tremu-
lous shiyer through the woods. tinkling
tho icicles like string OF fairy bells a
It went
Good, seasonable weather, thought
Squire Merriford. as he came out to
look at the big thermometer that a.
ways hung, summer and winter, beside
the porch door. ''Halloo, Steele! 10
that your"
Yes. squire. 1t is l." said Milford
Steele. us Josephine 1t homer
''She's at home, but-the fact is
she's pretty considerably engaged Just
II present"
That meanA suppose. that Leslie
Willoughby h ealling?"
Squire Merriford made NO direct an
swer, but stared hard 1t tho thermom-
eter.
''Perhaps," went on the merciless
catechist ''you could let me have the
money you promised toward the church
debt this evening? There 10 . vestry
meeting the day after tomorrow.
and"
The squire cou9hed dubiously.
well. the fact is," said he. 1T amt
convenient just at present Tho
churchill have to wait I'm maxim ar
rsngcments to let out all the cash l can
spare now on bond and mortgage. A
man don't get such an opportunity
every day. Steele, you know"
Il should think not" said Steele,
dryly. Mine per cent. seems like .
very nice little arrangement but sup
pose the question Of usury il raisedr"
1T won't be-" said the squire. conf.
dently. .'It's between friendA you
know"
II need not ask who this liberal
hearted friend il" said Mr.. Steele;
'.Mr. Willoughby Of course"
suppose it is!' cried the squire test-
lily; what then?'
mir Merriford." said Steele. earnest-
ly, you are an older man than am,
yet cannot forbear from sntreating
you to pause and reflect before you in
vest your whole property in such IN
unsafe speculation - thiA What
do you know about this Leslie VIII
loughby?'
Il know he's Chief Justice Chapman's
nephew"
''He says So"
And he owns four thousand acres Of
land out west"
According to his own account"
And he might be member OF con-
gress II he chose"
Rather improbable that"
And he owns . lot O. property In
the upper part Of the city Of New
York"
Pardon me. but 1 do not credit all
this sincerely believe that he 10 de-
ceiving both you and your daughter"
The squire grew very red in the face
"lwasn't born yesterday. and II amt
for Won to set up TO dictate to rue. And
IL Josephine fancies him more'n she
does you"
'She is quite welcome 70 her prefer
ence." sharply interrupted steele
Good evening, Mr.. Merriford."
He walked quickly away down the
snowy road, the blood boiling In his
veins. He loved Josephine Merriford
heartily-he respected the Rood-hesrt-
ed old squire, but Just now he felt that
he was almost banished from their
counselA
"If l could but prove al that I sus-
pect." murmured he to himself ~ he
crossed the little bridge that spanned
brawling rivulet
A hand fell on his shoulder II the
same instant
''Hallo. Sprowle! I'm punctual to the
second, you sea"
Steele stared round. without immedi-
ately ans wering to this uuexpected
greeting.
''well. then. Mr. Leslie willoushbv,
Esq. il you like that better cried
the stranger. with burst OF Laughter.
"Havc you raised that sum of money
jet? That's what want to know.
Because old samuels Is getting crusty.
and The deuce..
Just 1t that moment looking full
into his face. the stranger discovered
his mistake.
II am not Leslie Nillourhbv.- ..;a
64eele composedly. but | can al, ro,,
where he Is Just 1t present h. =.
making love to Squire Merriford's
dAn9ht~r. and trying to induce the old
man to lend him money"
THAT won't do. you know.- cried
the man. who was evidently little the
xoese for liquor. 'Nohow ron can a.
Il that wont do. No lcvem,k;rc,
Cause 6e's married 10 nv sister EI;,.
PseaG Sprowle isi l don't bl..aes0s,,
for moi. lisin' with Eli.6-she'. rot .
temper nlks vinegar: but he ha.nt M
bveines. To make love to another r;,,N
nce while I'm around"
ssYoa have arrived just In time the,
Perhaps yoa wouldn't mind letting tn.
.vosnR lady know that your friend i
sarsady married