Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-12-24
CHAPTER IL

had NOT had the advantage of such an
education as Sam had had, yet he had
made a large fortune by trading on the
weaknesses Of his fellOw-men. Those
who achieve this, though it may be little
to their credit, become more thoroughly
acquainted with the springs of the human
mind than all the metaphysicians and phi
losophcrs who have ever written or dream
ed about it. The son might be an astute
man enough at his vocation of the turf,
but he was a child, compared TO his tatn-
er. when computing to what extent he
could persuade bind, or break men TO
his own will. The son thought the advan-
tages of such an alliance must be so
transparent in a worldly point of view
to Harold Denison that he would be a
willing coadjutor in the scheme, from the
moment il was proposed to him; the faith
e. at once foresaw the old family pride
that would be up in arms against him
the instant he mooted the idea.
But he said to himself, Il have had
much TO do with Harold Denison, and
should know him thoroughly. He is selfish
at heart to the core. In all those trou-
blous days of his, when | was settling
his affairs, | never knew him dwell upon
what the results might be to his wife
and daughter. 1t was ever what he had
to give up He'll scout this proposal
with Indignation when | first mention 1t
to him; but he'll come round to it in
time. AS for the girls that's Sans
affair; but when Denison has once made
up his mind to her marrying him, he's as
likely man as l know to turn on the
domestic screw heavily. I've seen that
oracle worked more than once, and It's
generally pretty efficacious. They run
away with somebody else afterwards, oc-
casionaIiy, but that's the fault of the
husbands not keeping them within
bounds Yes I'll ride over and see Den.
ison Tomorrow. 1t won't be a very pleas
ant job, | doubt; but | am used to that"
The owner of Glinn felt that slight
nervous perturbation that invariably at
tends the call of a large creditor. The
noise of the carriage wheels had merely
produced a feeling of languid curiosity
but the announcement that Mr.. Pearman
wanted to see him made the squires
pulse quicken, and it was with an anx-
iety he was unable to disguise that he
welcomed him in his own peculiar slow
tones.
sit down, Pearman. Take that arm
chair, and make yourself comfortable.
hope to heaven you haven't come to make
me the reverse?"
Not ar ALL Mr.. Denison. My visit is
not business one, though | have some
thing | should like just to talk to you
a little about presently. Shocking wealth
er we're having Bad for the farmers
very, isn't it,"
You may say that. Nothing we have
to sell seems to be worth anything. All
farm produce is a drug in the market.
How's Coriander going on? 1t looks like
your gathering a terrible harvest in April
at Newmarket, anyhow. The horse is
doing well, l suppose?"
Yes, l believe so. You know. Mr..
Dcnison. I'm getting too old myself to
see after such things l leave all that to
Sam; but he tells me the horse will run
we'll for the 'Guineas, bar accidents
Run well " Bar accidents. Why.
bar accidents he must win" cried the
ever sausuine Denison. II never bet
now. as you know; but in the old days
| should have had a thousand on him
All, well, said the old lawyer, there's
where ii is. You always would believe
in ccrtainties in racing. l never myself
got further than believing horse would
run well"
Yes" laughed the squire; "and in
consequence you made a fortune while
l lost one I'm afraid. too, 1t would be
the same thing all over again if | could
begin once more.
Pearman shot keen look at him from
under his grizzled brooks and thought
most assuredly that it would be so, and
how very much it would facilitate his
present design if the squire was a little
involved in that way at present lie of
course knew the main part of Harold
Denison's cntanglements. but even he.
though his principal man of business. did
not know how bad things really were. 1t
would have given him more confidence
to unfold the object of his embassy had
he been possessed of such knowledge.
We'll, Pearmau,' continued the squire.
"I am afraid have no money left to put
upon Coriander. Those old days are
gone Yes" said Denison. bitterly: half
pence are of more account to me now
than sovereigns were then. But what is
It you want to talk to me about? Moth.
ing to my advantage, I'll be bound"
I'm afraid not; not but that it might
be- But I've never been able. Mr.. Deni.
son, to induce you to listen to anything
10 your own advantage"
Cad. sir, | can call to mind very
few of your propositions that tended that
way 4 few hundreds to be saved here
and there. at the cost of total abandon
ment of my social position-cases il
which the saving was incommensuratt
with the sacrifice"
You Judge me hardly. Mr.. Deuison
On the occasions to which you allude
pardon me if say that it was on over
strained deliCacy on your part which pre-
vented matters being brought to NOR,
satisfactory conclusion. 1t is the wa,
with you ALL" muttered the old lawyer
musingly You forget these scruple
when they might be of use TO you. ant
hamper us, who have to put your affair
straight with them afterwards"
"A nenison of Glinn. sir, is not to b.
included in the same category as a bank
rupt trader, l presume" remarked tn
squire, haughtily.
No: but it would be better both TO
him and his creditors If it could be so
You repudiste the idea of all compro
mise. and say, In time, everybody shall
be paid in full The result is. you neve
get clear, and the creditors are neve
satisfied"
But they will be in time" returne
Harold Denison; and the uncertain tone
In which he uttered the words were
stringent commentary on his previou
speech.
It's just about that" said Pearmar
'.that I'm wishing 70 talk to you now
It's cruel pity that fine old propert
like Glinn should be broken up. A goo
deal of it, yOu see. has fallen into m
hands"
You need not remind me of that,
interrupted Harold Denison: II am quit
aware of the price l am paying for tn
follies of my younger days"
1T is not likely / should recall sue
disagreeable facts to your memory, if
had not something to propose with r.