Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1909-05-14
CHAPTER ".


Sect, though he did not at all disguise
to himself the difficulties that stood in
the way Of Its accomplishment. II he
had not had the advantage Of such an
education as Sam had had, yet he had
made large fortune by trading on the
weaknesses of his fellow-men. Those
who achieve this, though 1t may be little
to their credit, become more thoroughly |
acquainted with the springs Of the human |
mind than all the metaphysiclans and phi |
!osophers 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 child, compared to his faith
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 it was proposed to him; the faith
er 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 l 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 1t in
time. As for the girls that's Sans
affair; but when Denison has once made
UP his mind 10 her marrying him, he's as
likely a man as | 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-
casionally, 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 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 large creditor. The
noise of the carriage wheels had merely
produced feeling of languid curiosity ;
but the announcement that Mr.. Pearman
wanted to see him made the squire's
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 at all, Mr.. Denison. My visit is
not business one, though l have some
thing l should like just to talk to you
q little about presently. Shocking wealth
er we're having. Bad for the farmers
very, isn't itf'
"You may say that. Nothing we have
to sell seems to be worth anything. All
farm produce is a drug in the market.
Bow's Coriander going one 1t looks like
your gathering terrible harvest in April
at Newmarket, anyhow. The horse Is
doing well, l suppose"
"Yes, | believe so. You know, Mr..
Denison, 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 sanguine Denison. 81 never bet
now, as you know; but in the old days
/ should have had thousand on him."
"Ah, WE'LL" said the old lawyer, there's
where it is. You always would believe
In certainties in racing. I never myself
got further than believing horse would
run WE'LL
"Yes" laughed the squire "and in
wi 10
! lost one. I'm afraid, too, it would be
the same thing all over again If | could
begin once more"
Pearman shot a keen look at him from
under his grizzled broks. and thought
most assuredly that it would be so, and
now very much 1t would facilitate his
present design IL the squire was little
involved in that way at present. He of
course knew the main part of Harold
Denison's entanglements, 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
"WeI. Pearman," 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. Rut what is
1t YOU want to talk to me abU.tr Moth
ing to my advantage, I'll be bound"
I'm afraid not; not but that 1t NIGH
be. But I've never been able, Mr.. Deni
son. to induce you to listen to anything
to your own advantage"
"Gad. sir, can call to mind very
few Of your propositions that tended that
way. A few hundreds to be saved herr
and there, at the cost Of total abandon
ment of my social position-cases IL
which the saving was incommensurat'
with the sacrifice"
"You Judge me hardly, Mr.. Denison