The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1906-02-23

ject to his plan, for he had to admit that
there was large element of risk to it.
1t would have been worth while to
catch the expression Of Benjamins face
when he slipped into the banquet-room
to see that everything was in readiness.
| Elwyn was there, and so was deputy
sheriff: The deputy levied on the BAN
| quet.
whats this?" cried Benjamin.
ITO secure little claim of $500 against
YOU" explained Elwyn.
Whose claim?"
"Mine."
81 don't owe you cent"
Pardon me. have bought the claim
from your daughter"
1t was several moments before BeDja-
min could fully grasp the import of this.
Then he understood it all.
Nonsense" he cited. That's not a
legal claim!"
1.-The court, said Elwyn. "can settle
that question in the morning"
I'm the morning." roared Benjamin.
But the banquet
ut will be spoiled, of course"
"By thunder! never did think much
of you as lawyer, but you're certainly
wise enough to know that I'll have a
splendid case for damages as result of
this high-handed outrage"
at is possible" admitted Elwyn,
thoughtfully, but have been under the
impression that you would hesitate to
sue your son-in-law."
For moment it seemed as if Benjamin
would have stroke of apoplexy.
''Son-in law he shouted. "Have you
married my daughter"
"Not yet"
Then you never shall"
81 thought" remarked Elwyn, insinu-
atin2ly, that your guests might be
hungry"
This brought Bcnjamin's mind back to
the thought that his guests were ready
for the march to the banquet-room, and
were only waiting for him.
Now see here" he said INCREASINGLY,
you know that this is a great big bluff
to annoy me for personal reasons"
"If it's a big bluff returned Elwyn,
"why don't you call it,"
That's what I'm going to do, il you're
fool enough to force it," asserted Benja-
min. 81 want to give you a chance to
avoid trouble first. Ifyou don't take it,
PHI pay your claim now and get after
you by legal process tomorrow. Why,
hangi ali! Ilihaveyouinj Jail. Haven't
paid the bill for this dinner yet, so it
doesn't belong to me, and you can't levy
on third party's property"
81 can't?"
No"
"But I've done it,
Benjamin glanced anxiously at the door
behind which his guests were waiting.
There was time for no further discussion.
"I'H pay the claim under protest, to
release the dinner, but look out for me
tomorrow" he said, angrily. You'll wish
you never tried any Of these tricks"
at must be paid in currency" an
nounced Elwyn.
"Currency?" exclaimed Benjamin. do
you think carry that amount of cur
rency in my Tuxedo? I'll give you a
check"
"CertiGed?'
How can | have 4 check certified
now?p ..-
"You can't, but l can't afford to fisk
anything but currency or a certified
check
Benjamin was desperate.
You'll go to jail" he shouted.
"This is a serious matter"
You'll go hungry" retorted Elwyn.
That's serious matter too"
"What do you expect to gain by this?'
demanded Benjamin as it revenge"
Revenge has nothing to do with it,"
replied Elwyn. I'm just trying to show
you that don't lack resourcefulness."
"You don't" admitted Benjamin"
81 want to prove that have some
professional originality and ingenuity"
"You have"
I'm that case, as you objected to me
only because you thought l lacked these
things l would like to marry your
daughter"
MY boy" said Benjamin, Il with
draw it all. You are going to be sue
cess, all in large letter. You have the
kind of head on your shoulders that will
make the wisest old business man sit up
and begin to take notice. Inyour hands
l feel that the girls future will be safe. If
you will be good enough to release this
dinner shall take pleasure in introduc-
ing you to my GU SITS as my prospective
son-in law, merely as guaranty of good
faith"
Then, turning to the first of the guests
to enter, he said: Colonel permit me
to introduce to you the smartest young
lawyer in the United States. Hehasjust
succeeded in collecting bride by legal
process in a most unlawful manner"
And the Colonel pondered that problem
deeply without reaching satisfactory
solution.
II l..