The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1897-09-16

the full significance
of all that he had lone broke upon
him. He had sacrificed everything.
His pension was gone. He had moth
ing save what he could earn. But
the stout old heart never quailed.
He waited eagerly for a letter
from the Saint Lawrence Shipping Com
pany, and in the meanwhile he gave his
landlord a quarters notice. Hundred
pound a year houses would in future be
a luxury which he could not aspire to.
A small lodging in some inexpensive
part of London must be the substitute
for his breezy Norwood villa. So be Il.
then! Better that a 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. It
was a hateful task, a degrading task,
but he set himself TO do il with quiet
resolution. AT home they waited in in
tense anxiety to learn the result of the
meeting. 1t was late before he returned.
haggard and pale. like a man who has
done and suffered much.
What's this board in front of the
house?" he asked.
I'VE are going to try a little change
of scene" said the Admiral. This
place is neither town or country. But
never mind that, boy. Tell us what hap
pened in the city"
God help me! My wretched business
is driving o out of house and home"
cried Harold, broken down by this fresh
evidence Of the effects of his misfor-
tunes. 1T is easier for me to meet my
creditors than to see you two suffer
ing so patiently for my sake
Tut, tut" cried the Admiral.
There's no suffering in the matter.
Mother would rather be near the thea
ters. That's the bottom of 1t, isn't il.
mother? You come and sit down here
between us and tell us all about it,"
Harold sat down with a loving hand
in each of his.
It's not SO bad as we thought" aid
he, "and yet it is bad enough. / have
about ten days to find the money, but I
don't know which way to turn for it.
Pearson, however, lied. as usual. when
he spoke Of f13, 900. The amount is not
quite $1,000"
The Admiral clapped his hands. "I
knew we should weather it, after all!
Hurrah, my boy! Hip, hip, hip, hur-
rah!'
Harold gazed at him in surprise, while
the old seaman waved his arm above
his head n beloved out three stem
torian cheers. Where am / TO get
seven thousand pounds from, dad?" he
asked.
Never mind. You spin your yarn"
We'll. they were very good and very
kind. but of curse they must have
their money or their moneys worth.
They passed a vote Of sympathy for
me. and agreed TO wait ten days be-
fore they took any proceedings. Three
OF them, whose claim came to $500.
told me that if / would give them my
personal /. o. u, any pay interest at
the rate of five per cent. their amounts
might stand over as long as 1 wished.
That would be a charge of f175 upon
my income, but with economy I could
meet 1t, and 1T diminishes the debt by
one-half."
Again the Admiral burst out cheer
ing.
There remains. therefore, about e.
200. which has to be found within ten
days. No man shall lose by me. 1
gave them my word in the room that
II L worked my soul out of my body
every oHe vi tneIn SnOulu De pdlQ. 4
shall not spend a penny upon myself
until 1t 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 Parsons arrest.
But they think that he has got away
to the states"
These men shall have their money"
said the Admiral.
Dad
Yes. my boy, you don't know the
resources Of the family. One never does
know until one tries. What have YOU
yourself now?"
Il have about a thousand pounds in
vested"
a right. And I have about as much
more. There's a good start. Now.
mother, 1t is your turn. What is that
little bit of paper OF yours?'
Mrs. Denver unfolded It,. and placed
1t upo Harold's knee.
Five thousand pounds!' he gasped.
All, but mother is not the only rich
one. Look at this!" And the Admiral
unfolded his cheque. and placed 1t upon
the other knee.
Harold gazed from one to the other
In bewilderment. "Ten thousand
%pounds" he cried. Good heavens!
where did these come from?"