The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1903-05-01

stepped M to the counter and slappc
down a chyquc
briggs smiled again The latcS n
propitious, thought Briggs.
I'm sorry | can cash this. said liz
Its crossed you sc> and can only !,
paid into an account.
Just what wanted to do, there's tn
paying-in slip, don't You see, said tn
boy. "Al the same, you don't seen
sorry at not having to cashit;is the Bunl
going broke?"
Briggs realized that his anxiety wa.
mastering his prudence, AID pulling him
self together, he had the sense to say
nothing, and instead cast look ofwitlb
crlng scorn upon the clerk
The doors swung open again, and i
girl entered and presented cheque tol
payment.
"Oh, l am very sorry, but this chequ>
has to be endorsed. You see is is pay.
able to Mr.. John Hunnybun, and he
must sign it on. the back" Briggs took
care not to smile this time, but his spirits
were quite braced up, and he was begin
ming to enter into the fun of the thing
now that the tatcs were so clearly on his
side.
"Of course, how silly of me-" said lie
girl. III get pa to signit. We live just
around the corner you know
"Oh, don't know" gasped Briggs.
The bolt had fallen. Three pounds
ten. The irony of it, to be beaten for a
paltry three pounds ten. No, he would
not be beaten. He caught up his hat and
telling the junior to apologize to the girl
for his absence, on an appointment for Il
few minutes, Briggs sped off down the
street
One or two of the shopkcepers came
out to gaze after him. 1t was an event
to see the stately Briggs run, and novel
ties were few and far between in Roth
more.
The butcher nodded across the street
" Olls Liz SISSliSlOCSl
There amt been the like o that seen
here before. and maybe wont be seen
again, and the two worthless felt an in
ward complacency, for they were i'll adj
vance of some of their less fortunate
neighbors in having witnessed so strange
and interesting sight
At the shop above which three balls
were suspended, Briggs slackcncd his
pace, and after nervous glance right
and left, he hastily entered.
Good morning. Mr. Briggs, " said the
pawnbroker. who we'll recollected the
cashier, and Briggs on his side recalled
with regret a certain stormy interview
in which he and the pawnhroker had
taken part. The man had rushed up to
cash cheque as the doors of the bank
were being closed, Briggs remembered.
He could, however, only trust that the
the pawnbroker did not cherish malice,
for Rotfmorc had no room form than
one merchant of this class.
1t would probably have suited Briggs
purpose better if he had opened proceed
ings with some Of the commonplaces Of
but his agitation was too
extreme. Il want this changing" said
he, taking out his watch and pushing it
into the pawnbroker's hand.
''Chauging?" said the pawnbroker, idly
turning the watch over and over.
Il only want three pounds ten for it..
exclaimed Briggs, until tomorrow
quite temporary embarrassment"
The pawnbroker smiled good-humor-
eddy. He saw that Briggs was desperate.
81 will do anything to oblige you, Mr..
Briggs, but ofcoursc, three pounds ten
is impossible, quite ridiculous"
"How-what-why-" said Briggs at
intervals.
well, you see this would only cost
two pounds or two pounds ten, perhaps
when it was new" Hestopped coming
from Briggs, and proceeded.
But Mr.. Briggs, seeing as you are a
.riend, III let you have two pounds on
t."
Two pounds. You might as well
offer me two shillings. Unjust have three
pounds ten
The pawnbroker lifted up his hand de-
1rccatingly.
''Only until tomorrow" pleaded
Briggs.
Links" queried the pawnbroker,
nysteriously. )
Briggs tore at his shirt cuffs, and hand /.
d over pair of gold links to the
ritical examination with a sigh of re-
ief. !
I'm in rather hurry" said Mr..
Briggs.
The remark was fully borne out by ap-
and was in fact needless, but
t did not seem to affect the pawnbrokcr,
Who after much thought and deliberation
greed To stretch point and make it
hree pounds if the links were thrown
n.
Briggs groaned aloud, and even the
,awnbrokcr looked worried, at must
DC three pounds ten Briggs could only
cpeat.
At last happy thought seemed to
trike the pawnbroker. 81 wouldn't do
his for any other person, but III do it
Or you Mr. Briggs; add your coat and
and its bargain
Give me back my things said the
Indignant Briggs, and Selling his watch
md links he made for the door.
But no welcome appeal to him to stop
amc from the rear. AT the doorway he
fingered fidgeting with his cuffs, but no
ign came from the pawnbroker.
Briggs skunk back to the counter.
lust put this in, said he, attempting
o reopen the negotiations by holding
tut his cuff for the link to be inserted
"Oh, certainly, sir" said the smiling
INC.
Here, dash It. take the coat, said
}rggs, breaking away and removing
hat garment.
And the waistcoat, you remember,
ir,"
The waistcoat followed, button torn
lway in the process.
I'm very sorry, sir, said the obscqui-
,us pawnErokcr, but you know sir,
business is business"
you had better take my hat too
aid the wrctchcd Briggs. with Il hat