The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-05-26

Sit downr Leonard took hk seat. feeling all the old repellant fears Of his boyhood coming over him again. His father went on at once
 You got my letter?'
 Yes, sir!"
 items in that--that-shameful bill?"
 Yes" This answer was given in . more surly tone.
 Then I am ready to hear what you have to say in the matter. Your ex- planation: your purpose" As he spoke the sentences with a premeditated stac- cato force the elder man placed his finger tips together and leaned back in his chair, cold self-satisfaction in- creasing rather than softening the sternness of his face.
 Leonard felt that now was his mo- ment for displaying his resources. A man like him, over head and ears ip debt, must have a large experience in the way of facing unpleasant situa- tions and a power of making dilatory excuses Creditors require a deal of persuasion: and neither their taste. manner. nor speech Is, as a rule. cal culated to be soothing. Even patience and forebarance are not prime quail ties in a borrower unprepared to re- pay. The proverb "A soft answer turn eth away wrathr' does not apply. Ra- ther as shield and buckler. the tongue of the ready liar, the optimis- tic enthusiasm of the tete montee, the reasonable setting forth of adequate promises of help. Leonard had over and over again exercised all these pow CTS till his readiness of tongue had be- come as familiar as his sense of shame was pachydermatous. In the familiar situation all his airiness, even in the grim presence of his father, came back h Inn . vRG rnx hippantly:
 "The only explanation I can give, sir, is that thought was at liberty to spend my allowance in my own wayf' His father interrupted to comment:
 Your allowance is three hundred pounds per annum. and this bill Is for four hundred and thirty two pounds, twelve shillings and sevenpence. ster- ling" He said the last word with such an impressive air as to make 1t seem that the fact of the debt being reckoned in sterling added to it's enor- mity.
 "ouite so, sir" answered Leonard calmly But you will have noticed that the bill extends over consider able time"
 And what has that to do with it sir? The money is owed all the same T only mentioned the fact, sir, be- cause your words seemed to imply that an income of three hundred per an- mum. as you stated 1t, was exceeded by a hundred and thirty-two, twelve, sev- en; as though in this one class of ex- penditure had more than used my en- tire income"
 Well, sfr?'
 Whereas only an amount which. would deferentially suggest. is fairly allowable to a man in my--in your sons position, has been charged per annum. You see, father, you have been misled by the items in long. running account"
 If he had intended to infiame his fa- ther he could hardly have done it bet ter. He had intended to infiame him; he depended in part on this to post pone the disagreeable subject of the time of repayment.
 But the senior Everard was no fool; and besides he had another matter in hand. Despite his anger he went on his intended way. saying with bitter sarcasm:
 "Ah! I trust your creditor may see 1t in that light, and that for your sake he. too. may be 'misled by the items in a long. running account" Then he went on more brisk1y:
 Now as to your purpose: When, and may perhaps ask incidentally how, do you intend to repay itf''
 "Oh directly sir. when am settling some other matters. I am just now ar my affairs; and when have got all these little matters before me, 1t won't take long to polish them of. It's only a matter of a cheque-book and a pen and ink anyhow"
 His father looked at him in amaze ment. Could it be possible, he thought, that Leonard had all along been using his money carefully merely saving the money whilst he left his debts unpaid. For a few moments he looked at him keenly before speaking:
 And about how long will this ar- of your affairs take?"