The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-03-01

manner ana one leg swung negl1gently
over the other, he blandly surveyed Mr..
Keighley Gates.
''I hope you are quite comfortable
now. - said the latter, politely.
Perfectly, Bob. Delightful room
perfect chair-genial host-what more:
Congratulations-excellent taste in fur
niture-hire system?"
"When you are quite ready perhaps
you will tell me what you want, - said
Mr. Gates, ignoring Dr.. Fitzge1aid's
fattering remarks. -
"e S. d.-friend of my youth--only
too delighted to assist-Q. E. D. "
'.Then you've come to me for money!
'tThe dear boyf Guessed. it first
time. ss,...,. ssfs .@5s.
Mr.. Keighley Gates unlocked draw.
er and produced a book.
"Look here, Richmond; this is my
bank passbook Do you see the balance
$500 on the wrong side?''
"Why, bless my soul, SO it isl Who'd
have thought it?'' said the imperturba-
BILE Dr.. Fitzgerald.
s'Here is letter." continued Mr.
Gates, received this morning from my
bankers, Syrac 8; CO.
'Most respectable frm-know ien
we'll"
"You see, they respectfully call my
attention to the fact that they will not
be able to honor any more Of my
checks"
"Confound impudencel Call in the
police -
'Here are few dunning letters,
continued Mr.: Gates, showing a pile to
his visitor, who daintily surveyed them.
"Snippit & Paddem-hunting suit
silk faced frock coat-norfolk jacket
fur lined overcoat--not in the militia,
are you?-tota], one-ffty -fve-six. Abys-
sinia & Co.-gold repeater-diamond
studs-ditto rings-got 'em all On, Bob?
total two-twenty -three-fou-. Pansy
& Sons, forists-large bouquets-oh, I
say: it was becoming interesting
Mr.. Gates had snatched the bills out
Of DR.. Fitzgerald's hands.
Here he said. diving into his
pocket and producing q purse, which he
emptied on the table-"here is my
ready cash. Look-one sovereign, two
half dollars and threepenny bit. -
"Total, one-four three said DR..
Fitzgerald.
seExacsly. That's the state of my
finances TODAY. You'll have to apply
elsewhere for assistance"
:" mon sequitur-j'y suis;' here I
STOP" said the other.
"Then perhaps you'll kindly explain
how am to advances you money when
I haven't got any for myself?''
"No good at details. Ask another. %
"Don't be AN ass. Richmond. You
can't bleed a stone. -
s"Got to be done. Send to Moses for
particulars.
"Look here, Richmond, stop this fool
ing, I'm in tight corner-a deuced-
ly tight corner-and it's no use your
applying to me today. !"
eur lined overcoat-gold repeater
diamond studs-ditto ring-large bou-
uuets-must, be in militia-or is it
house of lords?'' murmured DE-. Fitz-
gerald. s.
Nj. Keighley Gates was in bad
health, his prospects were dark, his as
sets nil and his visitor unwelcome. So
he may fairly be excused a display OF
bad temper.
"Confound it, man, don't sit there
muttering like jackdaw: Take your
traps and go.
Dr.. Fitzgerald was equal to the occa-
sion. He rose to his feet and lowered
over Mr.. Gates, and from this eminence
gave vent to his feelings. He was CO.
herent enough in his remarks now.
"You confounded Sybarite, living
here on the fat of the land while better
men are starving. Sell your fur lined
coat and your diamond studs-sell your
large bouquets-sell your internal soul
if YOU can raise silver On it, but raise
the wind for me you must or by the
heavens above you rue it, and having
xot rid of this torrent of words he pro-
ceeded to put on his gloves with delib-
crate slowness, then gathered his um-
brslla and hat and stalked 80 the door.
Mr.. Keighley Gates saw he had said
too much and hastened to mollify his
visitor.
"Confound it, Richmond, you'll drive
me mad. Haven't I enough to worry me
without your adding to my perplexIties?
You know perfectly well that If l had
money you should share it. I don't for
get old friends in hurry. Ii you re
short of a sovereign, take this. The two
half dollars will see me through the
day, and after that the deluge."
Fitzgerald waved him off magnlfl-
Gently.
"Keep your quid, Mr.. Keighley
Gates. You've insulted me, DR.. Fitz-
gerald, T. c. D., acd County Water
ford. 1 leave you now, but beware, the
day will come! Meantime, good morn
ing!'' and with ttis eloquent pe1oration
DR.. Fitzgerald closed the door behind
him.
Gates gave sigh of relief when he