The Lambertville record., 1899-03-08
NOTHING PER CENT.

The house in which Mr William
johnson carried ON the business of
money lender and financial agent was
in no way different from those surround
ing it, save that the down stairs front
window bore the legend, Loan Office,
in large black letters ON a white
ground A quiet, orderly, middle aged
man was Mr. johnson. and people who
met him in the street and did not know
him would have taken him for any
thing rather than man who put ont
his money to usury
Certainly there was nothing of the
ShyloCk about him as he sat one spring
morning in his dingy office going over
a tall, spare, loosely built man. with u
pale face and thin. struggling crop of
beard and whisker that always looked
as If it had grown in patches. Usually
when he was not talking to his clients
he carried II quill pen in his mouth.
There was something in this habit
which gave him the appearance OF an
distracted poodle carrying stick
Mr., johnson was deeply engrossed in
the consideration of II certain entry in
his account book when the door Of the
loan office opened very suddenly and
set the bell ringing with sharp disso
nance. lie heard u light step In the lit
tie lobby which was partitioned off
from the rest OF the room. For mo.
ment he did not answer the summons
of the bell 1t was never wise to be in
too much hnste to welcome callers But
presently he rose and opened the door,
the quill pen still retaining its horizon
tal position in his mouth. He lifted his
eyes carelessly from the little swing
counter to the person who stood behind
it. He was not easily surprised, for he
had seen many strange things in his
time, but what he now saw surprised
him into vague, uncomfortable si-
lence
Behind tho little counter stood II
Young lady--nay, girl of some 3 or
/ 0 years fashionably dressed evidently
of good position and palpable refine
ment Her pretty, fresh face, revealed
itself to Mr. johnson y astonished eyes
from beneath tho raviAhments Of II
much beflowcred picture hat and seemed
strangely out of keeping with the dingy
color of his little lobby.
"Oh -er-you arc Mr.. William John.
sony" she said
"Yes, answered Mr. johnson
~ ! want to borrow some money,
she said. looking out of hnlf ayerted
eyes at the money lender
Mr.. Johnson = first impulse was TO
stretch out his hand for ono Of the
application forms which stood ready in
small box on the counter, but upon
reflection hc lifted the swinging shelf
and asked this new client to step inside.
When she had passed into the office, he
closed the door aud joined her. and
from sheer force OF habit he restored
the quill pen 10 his mouth. The girl
saw the resemblance 10 the abstracted
poodle, and smile rippled over her
face Mr. johnson did not observe it
He indicated chair al the side Of his
desk, and when the gnl had taken it
resumed his own seat aud looked at her
What amount did you wish 10 bor-
row, ma am z? said Mr. johnson
VIII all well, geo.
Now - said Mir johnson Il sup.
pose YOU could furnish good security 2"
81 thought that you il SAYS in your
advertisement, you know, that yon
lend money ON borrower note of hand
alone / think that how it's put,
ism ii and no inquiries and no sure
ties isn't that it,"
"To approved borrowers yes an
swercd Mr.. Johnson
"Oh, said the girl ''Oh, then
you
1--WE don't lend money without Sc
curity," said Mr. johnson. "Of course
if we know the party and know that
il S all right and safe. why, Of course,
in that case"-
II see. said the girl. "Yes-of
course you don't know anything about
me How silly Of mel l thought one
had just TO come and get the money
and sign paper or something
The girl looked up from her parasol,
with which she had been tracing imag-
mary patterns on the floor.
Perhaps I'd better tell you all about
it. she said "Of course you won t
tell anybody, viii your
"Neyer divulge professional secrets, "
eaid Mr. johnson.
"Well. | want to borrow e20 to
buy bicycle There eaid the girl,
with decisive tap Of the parascl upon
the floor lyon see, I've spent every
penny Of my quarters allowance. and
there's still month before | We any
more due-and simply must have that
bicycle, and | looked over all the I'D
vertisements about money and I saw
yours. and so | came to you.
"Might | inquire what name,
ma am :" said Mr.. johnson
ooh, m Miss Lattimer OF course
you know my father, Mr. Robert Lat
timer p
Certainly. replied Mr.. Johnson.