Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1895-06-06

II
more time, but was soon back at his
establishment and seated at his
sdesk.
Ten thousand francs; suppose
take Is, 900. Il is best to be on the
safe side; one never knows-and a
Mnrillo! Father Abraham, what q
prizep And with evident satisfac-
tion he packed the notes in his
pockets. picked up large canvas
bag and was soon after on his way
to Bernace. But, strange to shy,
the two men whom he had over
heard in the restaurant watched
hirn 20 HIS establishment and then
saw him depart BY the tram, and as
soon % he had started one Of them
dispatched telegram to Blaude
Revers, Bernace.
ft was delivered to that person
before old Bernstein had gone half
the distance, while the old dealer
sat and looked quite happy and iu-
bilant-so jubilant that when he ar
rived at the little station he again
opened his heart bY giving the old
station master, who was porter and
everything else combined, few
sous, as he was 30 elated at his pros
poets. Two minutes sufiiced to
take him to the door Of old Revers'
cottage, at which he knocked quick
ly, and it was at once opened by an
old man whom he at once guessed
was the person he. had come to see.
From Paris; and to see me?
Truly you are welcome, m'sieu.
Come inside, pray
The offer was accepted, the old
man hobbling forward and placing
q seat for his visitor.
'And what, m'sieu, can be your
business with me?' inquired the old
man, fixing his sharp gray eyes on
his visitor.
Well, my friend, to come to the
point at once, friend of mine who
came to see you the other day has
told me of picture you have, and
which ! sec hanging there. Now,
he is rather infatuated with that
picture, and although 1 have tried
to persuade him to the best Of my
ability said the old dealer, leaning
forward and spreading out his
hands, palms upward, 'he will not
be gainsaid. The foolish fellow
thinks it will bring him good luck.
Did you ever hear of such a frivo-
lous idea?' and he gave o shrill
cackle, but with eyes fixed eagerly
on the picture.
Then OF course your good luck
friend told you the price ! fixed
upon it, which / will tell you was
merely to get rid of him, as do
not wish to sell it,
The old man paused for awhile to
get his breath.
Again, why, m'sieu, should /
sell it, / am old, and although l
have not much left me- glancing
around the bare looking room, my
son is very good to me, and he also
cherishes the one thing that his old
mother was so fond Of, and which
he says l must never part with
Here the old man wept, while Bern
stein wiped his eyes in pretended
sympathy. No m'sieu, can work
little yet and the old man
Strengthened himself proudly, and
with my sons help we manage to
pay the interest on my little farm;
30 why should l sell:' and twirling
his mustache he glared fiercely at
the old Jew.
Father Abraham" replied Bern
stein, licking his thin lips and try
ing to speak as if only for the old
mans good, and to think that an
old citizen should have to work as
you do at your time of life, and for
what?-to pay some rascally money
lender-while /, even ], would be Q
deliverer to you and give you,
mark, 1900 francs, With which
you will be able to pay of your debt
with a little to spare, while my
friend-foolish fellow l think him
will receive your picture. What
say you, my dear friend" and he
rubbed his hands unctuously, call
ing him in his own mind q pig
headed old fool. But come what
would, he must have it, he thought.
Old Revers shook his head even at
II, 900 francs, which caused Bern
stein to turn sallower hue, groan-
ing at the peryersity and wicked
ness of this refusal. At last, call
ing on all the patriarchs to bear