Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1897-04-29


and there's only one way for II 80 &
Butt may not be 50 very had. John.
Had we not best walt until AFTER ne
sees these people tomorrow & s9
They may give him little time. lass.
But I'll have care that don't 30 90
far that can't put back again. Now.
mother, there's no use holding me. It's
got to be done. and there's no sense In
Sinking It." He detached her hngers
from his sleeve. pushed her gently back
into an armchair, and hurried from the
house 81 s &@ sg5s
In less than half an hour skhe Admiral
was whirled into Victoria Station and
found himself amid dense busting
throng, who jostled and pushed In the
crowded terminus. His errand, which
had seemed feasible enough In his own
room. began now to present difficulties
in the carrying out, and he puzxled over
how he should take the first steps.
Amid the stream OF business men. each
hurrying on his definite way. the old
seaman in his grey tweed suit and black
soft hat strobe slowly along, his head
sunk and his brow wrinkled in per-
plexity. Suddenly an idea occurred to
him. He walked back to the railway
stall and bought daily paper. This
he turned and turned until q certain
column met his eye, when he smoothed
it out, and carrying 1t over TO seat.
proceeded to read it at his leisure.
And, indeed, as man read that
column, 1t seemed strange to him that
there should still remain any one In this
world of ours who should be In straits
for want of money. Here were whole
lines of gentlemen who were burdened
with surplus in their incomes. and
who were loudly calling to the poor and
needy to come and take 1t on their
hands, Here was the guileless person
who was not a professional moneylend-
err. but who would be glad to corre-
spond, etc. Here, too, was the accommo-
dating individual who advanced sums
from ten to ten thousand pounds with
out expense, security or delay. The
money actually paid over within few
hours" ran this fascinating advertise
ment, conjuring up vision of swift
messengers rushing with bags OF gold
to the aid of the poor struggler. A
third gentleman did all business by per-
sonal application. advanced money on
anything or nothing: the highest and
airiest promise was enough to content
him according to his circular, and finally
he never asked for more than five per
cent. This struck the Admiral as far
the most promising, and his wrinkles
relaxed. and his frown softened away
as he gazed at 1t. He folded up the
paper, rose from the seat. and
found himself face to face with Charles
Vestmacott.
"Hullo, Admiral!'
''Hullo. Westmacott!" Charles had
always been favorite Of the seaman's.
what are you doing here?"
"Oh, I have been doing little bust
ness for my aunt. But have never
seen you in London before
II hate the place. 1t smothers me.
There's not breath Of clean air on this
side Of Greenwich. But maybe you
know your way about pretty we'll in the
city?"
We'll, I know something about it.
You see I've never lived very far from it,
and I do a good deal of my aunt's bust
ness.
Maybe you know Bread Street?"
1T is out Of Cheapside."
''Well then. how do you steer for 1t
from here? You make me out course
and I'll keep to 1t.
'Why, Admiral, have nothing to do.
I'll take you there with pleasure"
will you, though? Well, I'd take it
very kindly If you would. have bust
ness there. Smith & Hanbury, financial
agents, Bread Street"
The pair made their way to the river
side, and so down the Thames to St.
Paurs landing-a mode of travel which
was much more to the Admirals taste
than bus or cab. On the way he told
his companion his mission and the
causes which led to it. Charles West
macott knew little enough of city life
and the ways Of business, but at least
he had more experience in both than
the Admiral, and he made up his mind
not to leave him until the matter was
settled.
These are the people," said the Adj
miral. twisting round his paper, and
pointing to the advertisement which had
seemed to him the most promising. cit
sounds honest and above board, does it
not? The personal interview looks as
If there were no trickery. and then no
one could object to five per cent
mo, 1t seems fair enough"
1T is not pleasant to have to go hat
80 AANAN OOAA OW4A6 AuOISys Uul IucIS
are times. as you may find before you
are my age. Westmacott. when a man
must stow away his pride. But here's
their number, and their plate is on the
corner Of the door,"
A narrow entrance was fianked on
either side by row Of brasses, ranging
upwards from the shipbrokers and the
solicitors who occupied the ground
floors. through long succession Of
West Indian agents, architects, survey
ors, and brokers, to the firm Of which
they were in quest. A winding stone
stair. well carpeted and rallied at first
but growing shabbier with every land
Ing, brought them past innumerable
doors until. at last, just under the
ground-glass roofing, the names Of
Smith & Hamburg were to be seen
painted in large white letters across a
panel, with laconic invitation to push
beneath 1t. Following out the sugges-
ton. the Admiral and his companion
found themselves in dingy apartment,
III lit from couple Of glazed windows.
An ink-stained table, Uttered with pens,
papers. and .almanacs, an American
cloth sofa. three chairs NJ va rvipor no =