The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1897-08-17

\NSNgHIMT1/ he unlocked, and
N took from it dozen
@ s g s;s : Vii r i; '9 @::; $
| and seals, with very large V. K. S
printed upon the heads of them. He
tied these carefully into a small bundle,
and placing them in the inner pocket OF
his coat, he seized his stick and hat
ooh, John, don't do this rash thing,
cried Mrs. Denver, laying her hands
upon his sleeve. ST have seen so little
of you, John. Only three years since
you left the service. Don't leave me
again. know it is weak of me, but l
cannot bear it."
There's my own brave lass" said
he, smoothing down the grey-shot hair.
We've lived in honor together, mother,
and, please God, in honor we'll die. NO
matter how debts are made, they have
got to be met, and what the boy owes
we owe. He has not the money, and
how is he to find it? He can't find it.
What then? 1t becomes my business,
and there's only one way for it.
But it may not be so very bad, John.
Had we not best wait until after he
sees these people tomorrow"
'They may give him little time, lass.
But I'll have care that I don't go so
far that I 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 fingers
from his sleeve, pushed her gently back
into an armchair, and hurried from the
house.
In less than half an hour the 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 puzzled 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 a daily paper. This
he turned and turned until a certain
column met his eye, when he smoothed
it out, and carrying it over to seat,
proceeded to read it at his leisure.
And, indeed, as a man read that
column, it 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 it off their
hands. Here was the guileless person
who was not a professional moneylend-
err but who would be glad to CORE
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 a 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 Hghtest and
ARREST 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 it. He folded up the
paper rose from the seat, and
found himself face to face with Charles
Westmacott.
tHuIIo, Admiral!''
"Hullo, Westmacott!' Charles had
always been favorite of the seaman's.
what are you doing here?'
ooh, I have been doing a little bust
ness for my aunt. But have never
seen you in London before"
IT 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 well in the
city?"
"Well, I know something about it.
You see I'VE never lived very far from it,
and L do a. good deal Of my aunt's bust
ness.
maybe you know Bread Street?"
'It is out of Cheapside."
''Well then, how do you steer for it
from here? You make me out course
and I'll keep to it,"
''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. I have bust