Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1903-08-21

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MNfE<E82VSN the speculative in
\Cr5ESgSSH ventor. 1t was not
M Vl until he had signed
qLSIkC% and sent 1t off that
the full significance
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 a letter
from the Saint Lawrence Shipping Com
pany, and in the meanwhile he gave his
landlord a quarters notice. Hundred
pound year houses would in future be
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.,
then! 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. 1t
was 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 a man who has
done and suffered much.
Whats this board in front of the
house?" he asked.
I'VE 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 mel My 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, tut?' cried the Admiral.
There's no suffering in the matter.
Mother would rather be near the thea
tiers. That's the bottom of 1t, isn't it,
mother? You come and sit down here
between US and tell us all about it,
Harold sat down with loving hand
in each of his
Its not SO bad as we thought" said
he, "and yet it is bad enough. 1 have
about ten days to find the money, but I
don't know which way to turn for 1t.
Pearson, however, lied, as usual when
he spoke of $4,000. The amount is not
quite f7,000."
The Admiral clapped his hands. IT
knew we should weather it, after ALL
Hurrah, my boyl Hip, hip. hip. hur-
rail-"
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 l to get
seven thousand pounds from, dad?' he
asked.
Never mind. You spin your yarn"
We'll, they were very good and very
kind, but of course they must have
their money or their moneys worth.
They passed a vote of 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
I. o. u, any pay interest at
the rate of five per cent, their amounts
might stand over as long as 1 wished
That would be a charge of f175 upon
my income, but with economy I could
meet it. and it diminishes the debt by
Again the Admiral burst out cheer
ing.
There remains. therefore, about e.
700, which has to be found within ten |
days. No man shall lose by me. I |
gave them my word in the room that |
f I worked my soul out of my body |
every one of them should be paid. I |
'hall not spend a penny upon myself |
Until it is done. But some of them can't |
wait They are poor men themselves,
md must have their money. They have
ssued a warrant for Pearson's arrest.
But they think that he has got away
o the states"
''These men shall have their money"
aid the Admiral.
"Dadr
Eyes, my boy, you don't know the
OF the family. One never does
now until one tries. What have you
'ourself now2"
II have about thousand pounds in
ested."
more. There's a good start. Now,
mother, 1t is your turn. What is that
tile bit of paper of yours?"
Mrs. Denver unfolded it. and placed
. upon Harold's knee.
Five thousand pounds!" he gasped.
"Ah, but mother is not the only rich
ne. Look at thisl'' And the Admiral
nfolded his cheque. and placed 1t upon
ne other knee.
Harold gazed from one to the other
bewilderment "Ten thousand
ounds?' he cried. Good heavensl
here did these come from?"