The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1897-08-31

On until he had signed
@}k9," and sent it off that
~ the full significance
of all that he had done 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 letter
from the Saint Lawrence Shipping Com
pany, and in the meanwhile he gave MS
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 London must be the substitute
for his breezy Norwood villa. SO be it,
them 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. Tt
was a hateful task, a degrading task,
but he set himself to do it 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 man who has
done and suffered much.
Whats this board in front Of the
house?" he asked.
1--WE 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! Ny wretched business
is driving you out of house and homer
cried Harold, broken down by this fresh
evidence of the effects of his misfor-
tunes. ut is easier for me to meet my
creditors than to see you two suffer-
ing so patiently for my sake"
Tut, tutr cried the Admiral.
There's no suffering in the matter.
Mother would rather be near the thea
ters. That's 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 a loving hand
in each of his
Its not SO bad as we thought" said
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 $4,000. The amount is not
quite $1,000
The Admiral clapped his hands. II
knew we should weather it, after ALI
Hurrah, my boy! Hip, hip, hip, hur-
rah!''
Harold gazed at him in surprise. while
| the old seaman waved his arm above
| his head and beloved out three stem
torian cheers. Where am [ to get
seven thousand pounds from, dad?" he
asked.
Never mind. You spin your yarn .
oil
kind, but of course they must have
their money or their moneys worth.
| They passed a vote 0f sympathy for
me, and agreed to wait ten days be-
| fore they took any proceedings. Three
| Of them, whose claim came to f3 500,
| told me that if I would give them my
personal I. Q. u, any pay interest at
| the rate OF five per cent, their amounts
might stand over as long as I wished.
| That would be a charge of f175 upon
my income, but with economy I could
meet it, and it diminishes the debt by
| one-half.''
Again the Admiral burst out cheer
| ing.
There remains, therefore, about g.
200. which has to be found within ten
| days. No man shall lose by me. I
1
| if I worked my soul out of my body
| every one of them should be paid I
shall not spend 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
"Dadw
Eyes, 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 thousand pounds in
vested
| "All right. And have about as much
more. There's a good start. Now.
mother, it is your turn. What is that
little bit Of paper of yours?"
Mrs. Denver unfolded it, and placed
1t upon Harold's knee.
Five thousand poundsn' he gasped
"Ah, but mother is not the only rich
one. Look at this!2 And the Admiral
unfolded his cheque, and placed it upon
the other knee
Harold gazed from one to the other
| in hewilderment s'Ten thousand
pounds he cried GOOD heavens
where did these come from?o