The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-03-28
A BILL TRANSACTION.


which he had been grazing rapturous-
ly. What can 1 do for your
'' Sit downi' exclaimed Mr.. abb
melech. though he suited the action to
the word; and what can you do for
me-? Well. I never! You are a cool
one. Do for me-! You've pretty well
done for me already. Here, look at
these" and the ringletted gentleman
began to push a set of very much
hinged fingers into the breast pocket
of an excellently fitting froek coat
"'DO for mel"
Don't you produce those old ac-
ceptances of mine again, or I'll snatch
them out of your hand and burn them
in the gas stovel' Algernon Spanker
exclaimed. Every time you come
here you keep pulling them out Of
your pocket and waving them before
my eyes and then pushing them back
in your pocket again. Soon they Will
be worn out thank goodness and then
your last claim on me Will be gone
Have a peg and a cigarette. They'll do
you good. That's what you want"
No, I don't. l want ten thousand
pounds"
That all? Don't you wish you may
get it?-I mean them
I do. You got til mean them
Il didn't. l got $780, fifty dozen OF
awful champagne, that made my
friends curse the hour of my birth; a
picture that looked like Rubens, ana
a spawned horse. The rest is all for
o lord! I suppose we must DO anoth-
'.You won't do me. I'm a-going he
fore the court. I'm not going to be
kept out of my money any longer.
want it, and mean to have t-some
Of it. anyhow
How are you going to get it? 1
haven't got any money. This nat IS
hired furnished. I've got nothing exz
cept my watch and your old spawned
horse who's out at grass somewhere
You can have these, if you like.
You've got some prospects, l ear,
Abimelech said, with an oleagfnous
smile Very fine prospects, very nice
prospects, indeed Lady Tiptoft, your
grandmother. is eighty-four, and she's
got a nice little Bit
With twelve sons, each having
twelve sons of their own. I'm one or
them. AS 1 was going to St. Ives,
met a man with seven wives, Alger-
non quoted lightly and appropriately
'Oh, shut up, for 'eavens' sake! But
you've got other prospects. What about
Mrs Washfsh?"
oh. Mrs. Washfsh! All. Yes.
There's a prospect! Eh?"
I should think there was. She just
adores the ground you put your patent
feathers on. You'll have to marry her.
She's worth a million Then you can
pay them acceptances. You must marry
her"
I'm afraid I must. I really am. o
me see. There's Laura, and Dora, and
Kitty, and-and Lena de Courthose-
and
Never mind them. You can think
about them after you have hooked Mrs.
Washfish."
7 want some ready money to go on
with. and the engagement shall be
precious long one. Mother, I'm too
young to marry Algernon burst out
singing.
.'Ohi Do be sensible Never mind
about your old fifth rate music han
songs. You want some ready money?
How are you going to get it? And to
pay me2"
Algernon thought for a moment, then
suddenly he said: III tell you Hand
over those acceptances."
Not mel What do you take me fOr?''
Hand them over. Have you got any
blank ones in your pocket?'
Rather. It's my business. What are
you up to now? You are so sharp l
don't know where 1 am"
I'll show you. Out with the blank
ones Out with the fountain pen, and
ink your pretty little fingers. Go ahead.
Do what I tell you Write what 1 tell
you. and I'll sign Fire away
Mr. Abimelech did fire away at the
lightsome AlgernOns dictation, while
interfering as he did so, "Ohl I say.
You do know something. You are
wonder. And connected with the no
bility too" Cfor all the world as if no
one connected Will the nODll1tN cOOlQ
be a wonder, or have any brains in his
head.
Got them all down. Bimmy?" Alger-
non asked, after the bill discounter had
followed his suggestions. Every one of
them, eh2"
.'All of them. One for five thousand
five hundred pounds. another for seven
thousand pounds. the other for seven
thousand pounds"
Right you are. Now let me sign
them" which Algernon did. while Mr.
Abimelech groaned in admiration of
his young clients genius, and there
you are. Now hand over my old ac-
ceptances, give me yours for ten thou
sand and then take me out to the Carl
ton and give me 4 nice little luncheon
and a bottle of the best. See. .Bimmy %
I think I begin to. o lord! you are
a wonder"
so you'll think when I have ex-
planned myself more fully after lunch.
Come on. we'll have a cab"
About a week or so later Blanche
Washfish, widow, pasty faced. aetat
fifty-four. and stout, sat in her gor-
geous saloons (this is the only word
possible for describing them in Fitz-
Plantagen square. with a look Of
sepulchral solemnity and gloom upon
her face.
He hasn't been here for ten whole
days" she was musing now, as she laid
down Fashions Hand Glass"-the last
up to, or down to. date paper, in which
she had been reading some interesting
instructions as to making cruel for
babies. Not for ten whole days. OH
whatever has become of my handsome
Algernonl Is it those horrid chorus
girls, or that dreadful 'dansoose.' or
has he got locked up? He is so wild.
OR have his creditors got hold of him
at last2 He said they soon would I
think III take a cab and go and see
his grandma. Lady Tiptoft She spoke
to me the other night and said it was
very wet So condescending! Pr'aps
she would let me into her house,
But at this moment a gorgeous
Turnkey entered the room, and advanc-
ing with an air of gravity suitable to
an archbishop. held out a gold salver
with card on it, and on the card was
inscribed, Mr. Marks AbimeIech
Financier." with. written in pencil