Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-08-18

~ not submit tamely, l said to
myself, as we faced each other in 81
lence for some moments, ''but will
stand by the position we took in the
transaction until am ordered from the
house."
$50 you have had the impudence to
call in person, have your" he began,
bitingly.
Il certainly am here in person." 1
answered, with equal scorn, "but was
not aware of my impudence."
well. / am disagreeably aware of it.
1t is unparalleled impudence, young
man. But it is like westerner. ac-
tually believe it is in the air out there"
Could the man be joking? 1 asked
myself this before said anything I
might regret in case he should be. But
1t was plain he was in earnest, and l
had never heard father say that Abel
Brathwaite ever joked. did not reply,
and he went on:
II haven't the slightest doubt that
your assurance is unbounded enough to
bring you all the way from the west
and into nay very house to demand that
$4,000"
1t was the Misunderstanding, after
all. I could not credit my own eyes
and ears, but replied, seeing no reason
TO hold myself in check:
my assurance would be unbounded
If came all the way from the west to
demand money from a notorious tight
fist like yourself"
This seemed to amuse him for some
unaccountable reason. A smile glinted
through his anger, as if he suddenly
appreciated the opportunity to see just
how far western assurance would go.
I read it thus, and determined that he
should be fully satisfied.
"And have no Doubt" he proceeded.
shat you have made yourself believe
that, upon your mere demand, / would
count out IS, 900 and hand them to you"
81 did not come here to discuss that
matter at all, Mr.. Brathwaite, but now
that you have mentioned 1t, have no
hesitation in saying that think my
father is absolutely right in his conten-
ton. II you ever owed dollar you
owe him that five thousand, and your
turning and clubbing is little less than
common dishonesty"
young man." he laughed, "this is re-
freshing; absolutely invigoratipg. ]
came down TO turn you out of doors
but I won't do it need some one 10
amuse me this evening, and you are
quite satisfactory. Proceed"
He sat down in the nearest chair, re-
adjusted his eyeglasses, and, placing
his hands on his knees. looked into my
face with well simulated expectation
of enjoying treat. walked over to
him. looked him squarely in the eyes.
and said:
"You know as well as you are living.
Mr.. Brathwaite, that you owe my ia
Their that $4,000; but want TO tell you
that we don't need it. We had forgot
ten all about having made you pres
ent of it. but it seems to be stupen-
dous item to you. You are entirely well
come to It. But"
was stopped by the rustic of
dress upon the stairs. Amy had been
| listening and was coming 10 interfere.
/ hoped she would not, for my regard
for her was genuinely tender, and !
feared that l could not hold my own
with her father If she were present.
was greatly relieved when I heard the
rustic cease, as If she had paused up
on the stairs to consider the wisdom
of appearing. should have taken my
departure at that juncture, ! suppose.
but l felt that had not told the old
gentleman quite enough, so de-
cided to stay until thought ! had
done him full justice.
81 want TO tell you, sir" went on,
shat we still have some regard for
friendship In the west"
He looked surprised at this, and ]
paused doubtfully, but seeing his face
growing more contemptuous, | nm
ished:
al didn't come here to demand or re-
ouest or even mention that unfortunate
81. 900. My father is as sorry
"oh, bother your fatherl He isn't
sorry. A man who"
"Be careful, sir. won't hear one
word said against him. repeat that
didn't come here to mention that $1,000
but"
"Oh, suppose now you come in gen.
uine western impertinence to ask me
for my daughter Amy?'
He was interrupted by the quick rus
tie of the dress as the young lady in
question rapidly retreated- ! WINGED
as 1 recollected that such request had
not been entirely foreign to my hopes.
.Tf YOU ever had any prospect OF sue
cess in that matter" he continued.
"you have utterly ruined it by your
language here tonight. / think you
would have submitted to all | have said
81 Won are anxious TO win her"
"No. would not" answered. You
would not respect a young man who
would weakly submit when he believes
you are wrong, as you certainly are
according to your view of it When
your father had the impudence to write
~, mora 1D011f that