PROGRAMMA TER OPLEIDING VOOR HET DIPLOMA IN DE ENGELSCHE HANDELSCORRESPONDENTIE: DOOR H. JANSONIUS. A. KLEINE SPEAAKKÜNST I.* KLEIN LEESBOEK I. * /DEPOT v. \ (nED. PUEL7 B. V KB. ~J KLEINE SPEAAKKÜNST II. * KLEIN LEESBOEK II. * » ENGELSCHE HANDELSBEIEVEN I. * c. BEKNOPTE ENG. HANDELSGEAMMATICA. * ENGELSCH HANDELSLEESBOEK. * ENGELSCHE HANDELSBEIEVEN II. * D. ENG. HANDELSTEEMINOLOGIE, (130 bldz.)** óf ENGLISH COMMEECIAL IDIOM, (300 bldz.)** ENGELSCHE VEETAALOEPENINGEN. ** * Uitgave G. B. v. Goor Zonen, Gouda. ** „ J. Muusses, Purmerend. VOOEBBEICHT VOOR DEN TWEEDEN DEUK. In den nieuwen druk zijn twee stukken, die minder in den smaak vielen, weggelaten. Het boek is daardoor vrijwat korter geworden, maar de prijs kon in verband hiermee gehandhaafd blijven. H. JANSONIUS. Rotterdam, Maart 1919. VOOEBEEICHT VOOE DEN DEEDEN EN VIEEDEN DEUK. Deze drukken zijn gelijk aan den tweeden. Rotterdam. ■ / yƒ if rij,: INHOUD. B!z. 1. The present t 2. Avarice punished . 2 3. In the second-hand shop 3 4. The birthday present 7 5. Bill Napper's legacy . ... . ; \. , ,\ . . 12 6. The story of Sir Bichard Arkwright. ',M. . 18 7. The puzzle of the missing penny 28 8. At the Italian Custom House 24 9. The history of Hassan the Bopemaker .... 27 10. The diamond mines at Kimberly 36 11. A cordial reception. . . . 45 12. The cotton spinner's seoret 49 13. Paul Watt's indiscretion 51 14. A sharp-witted smuggler 64 15. The stockbrocker's clerk 65 17. Shops and their tenants 81 18. Harris's opinion about banks 87 19. Benjamin Pranklin's autobiography 88 20. The smuggler in spite of himself 114 21. In business ' H6 22. A speculation 125 23. Mr. Meeson 132 24. Being a landlord 151 25. A Christmas spider 164 26. A merry Christmas 173 1. THE PEESENT. Last year, about Xmas, a young man walked along the brilliantly1 lighted shops in one of the busiest streets in London. From time to time he stopped to look at the attractive displays2 in the show-windows 3. He wanted to buy a present for one of his acquaintances4. As, however, he was rather short of cash5, he did not like to spend 6 much money on it. Suddenly he seemed to have made up his mind7, and entered' the shop of a dealer in puripsities8. On going up to the counter9, he found the shopkeeper in great distress10, for he had just broken a china 11 vase of great value. "How much are12 those broken pieces," the young man suddenly asked. And when the shopkeeper told him that the object was damaged bevond rep air13, he replied: "Never mind! I offer you 5 shillings for it." The curiositvdealer looked at his customer 14 in great astonishment, wondering whether he had to do with a fooi; but as the broken vase had po value whatever for him, he was glad to dispose of 15 it at the price offered, and accepted the bid 16. The young man requested him to pack the fragments in a 1 schitterend 9 toonbank 2 uitstallingen 10 verlegenheid 3 uitstalkasten 11 porseleinen 4 kennissen 12 kosten 5 slecht bij kas 13 onherstelbaar beschadigd 6 besteden 14 klant 7 besluit genomen te hebben 15 van de band doen 8 antiquiteiten 16 00d 2 cardboard1 box and to deliver2 them at the address of Mrs. P. After pusfaing 3 a crown across the counter, he left the shop, thinking to himself: "What a sly dog 4 I am! Of course Mrs. P. will think that the vase was broken on the way, through the rough handling 5 of the delivery-man6.'' Two days later he paid a visit to Mrs. P., who, however, received him rather coolly, and told him that she had received his sjngular7 present. She then showed him the fragments of the antique_yase. each of which the shopkeeper had carefully wrappedjrp 8 in pieoes of packing paper! 2. AVARICE PUNISHED. A Turkish merchant lost a purse9 containing two hundred pieces of gold. He sejit the town-crier10 through the city to publish 11 his loss, offering at the same time half of the contents of the purse to the finder, on restoring 12 the lost property 13. A sailor who had picked up the purse, went to the crier and told him that he had found it, and intimated 14 his willingness to deliver it up to the owner on the proposed15 conditions. The merchant having thus discovered the finder of his purse, meanly16 resolved to try to get it back without paying anything. He therefore told the sailor that, if he wished to get the reward 17, he must also restore a valuable emerald 18 which was in the purse. The sailor declared that he had found nothing in the purse except the money, and refused to part 1 kartonnen 10 stadsomroeper 2 bezorgen 11 bekendmaken 3 schuiven 12 bij teruggave van 4 slimmerd 13 eigendom 5 behandeling, hanteering 14 gaf te kennen' 6 loopknecht 15 voorgesteld 7 zonderling 16 was zoo gemeen om 8 gewikkeld • 17 belooning 9 beurs 18 smaragd ________ f 1.75 INLEIDING TOT DE - FRANSCHE, DUITSCHE en ENGELSCHE HANDELSCORRESPONDENTIE door f. w. leeman, j. w. kuiper en h. jansonous leeraren aan de hoogere handelsschool te rotterdam ENGELSCH HANDELSLEESBOEK DOOR H. JANSONIUS Leeraar aan de Hoogere Handelsschool en den Cursus tot opleiding ran leerkrachten roor het Lager Handelsonderwijs te Rotterdam. VIERDE DRUK GOUDA - G. B, VAN GOOR ZONEN - 1922 I f 1.75 /^N INLEIDING TOT DE ENGELSCHE fës W HANDELSCORRESPONDENTIE W ENGELSCH ^ HANDELSLEESBOEK DOOR H. JANSONIUS LEERAAR AAN DE HOOGERE HANDELSSCHOOL EN DEN CURSUS TOT OPLEIDING ( VAN LEERKRACHTEN VOOR HET LAGER HANDELSONDERWIJS TE ROTTERDAM VIERDE DRUK GOUDA - G. B. VAN GOOR ZONEN - 1922 3 withj_it without receiviag the reward. The merchant complained to the cadi, who snmmoned 2 the sailor to appear and eaplain why he refused -to deliver up the purse. "Because," he replied, "the merchant promised the finder a reward of one hundred pieces, which he now refuses to give, on prevee 3 that the purse contained a valuable emerald, whereas I solemnly4 declare that in the purse found by me there was nothing but gold." The merchant was then asked to describe5 the emerald, and how it game into his possession, which he did, but in so confnaed6 a manner that the cadi was convinced of his dishonesty. He accordingly7 gave the following decision 8. "You have lost a purse with two hundred pieces of gold and a valuable emerald in it; the sailor has found one containing only two hundred pieces of gold; therefore this purse cannot be yours. You must therefore have yours cried9 over again, with a description of the gem 10 which, you say, it contained." Turning to the sailor he added: "You will keep this purse forty days without touching the money, and if at the end of that time no persori has made g o od his claim 11 to it, you may aPPrq£riate.l!.it to your own use 13." 3. IN THE SECOND-HAND SHOP. Af ter an absence of two years Jack Nugent, a sailor, returned to his native town. His father, with whom he had had a quarrel, received him very coldly. merelv asking him, what he had come home for. Therefore the prodigal14 son turned on his heel and walked back towards the town. Suddenly 1 afstaan 8 beslissing 2 damardde 9 omroepen 3 voorwendsel 10 kleinood 4 plechtig' 11 jiiju aanspraken bewezen 5 beschrijven 12 aanwenden 6 verward 13 gebruik J dienovereenkomstig 14 verloren 4 he stopped in the middle of the road, and stood ruef ully considering his ppBition1. He looked up the street, and then', the well-known shop of Mr. Kybird catching his eye, walked over and inspected the contents of the window. Sheathknives2, beits3, tobacco-boxes, and watches were displayed alluringly 4 behind the glass, sheitered from the sun by a row 5 of cheap clothing dangling 6 from short poles over the shop front7. AU the goods were marked in plain figures 8 with rednced9 prices, Mr. Kybird showing a powerful imagination in the first markrag, and a good business faculty in the second. *. At these valuables10 Jack Nugent, with a view of obtaining some idea of prices, gazed 11 for some time. Then passing between two oilskin coats12, which stoócl as senianels 13 , in the doorway, he entered the shop and smiled affably 14 at Miss Kybird, who was in charge 15. At his entrance she put down a piece of fancy-work 16, which Mr. Kybird called his soek, and with a casual17 glance at his clothes regarded him with a prejudiced 18 eye. "Beautiful day," said the customer; "makes one feel quite young again." "What do you want?" .inquired Miss Kybird. Mr. Nugent turned to a broken cane-chair19 which stood by the counter 20, and, after applying severe test; to it 21, regardless of 22 the lady's feelings, sat down upor, it and gave a sigh of reliëf 23. 1 met een treurig gezicht 12 oliejassen over zijn toestand nadenkend 13 schildwachten 2 dolkmessen 14 Hef 3 gordels 15 op den winkel paste 4 verleidelijk uitgestald 16 handwerkje 5 rij 17 terloopsche 6 bengelend 18 bevooroordeeld 7 pul 19 rieten stoel 8 met duidelijke cijfers 20 toonbank 9 verminderde 21 flink probeeren 10 kostbaarheden 22 zonder te letten op 11 staarde 23 verlichting 5 "I've walked from London," he said, in explanation. "I oould sit here for hours." "Look here ," began the indignant1 Miss Kybird. "Only, people2 would be sure to couple our names together," continued Mr. Nugent, mournfully3. "When a handsome young man and a good-looking girl " "Do you want to buy anything or not?" demanded Miss Kybird, with an impatient toss 4 of her head. "No," said Jack, "I want to sell." "You've comte to the wrong shop, then," said Miss Kybird; "the warehouse 5 is full of rubbish 6 now." The other turned in his chair and looked hard at the window. "So it is," he assented 7. "Fortunately I've brought you something decent8 to put there.'' He feit in his pockets and, producing a silvermounted9 pipe, a battered10 watch, a knife, and a few other small articles, deposited 11 them with reverent12 care upon the counter. "No use to us," declared Miss Kybird, anxious to hit back 13; "we burn 14 coal here." "These'11 burn better than the coal you buy," said the unmoved15 customer. "Well, we don't want them," retorted16 Miss Kybird, raising17 her voice, "and I don't want any of your impudence 18. Get up out of our chair !" Her heightened19 tones penetrated20 to the small and 1 verontwaardigd | 12 eerbiedig 2 men 13 verlangend om 't bem betaal 3 met een droevig gezicbt te zetten 4 beweging 14 stoken 5 pakhuis 15 onverstoorbare 6 rommel 16 antwoordde vinnig 7 toestemmen 17 verheffende 8 behoorlijks 18 brutaliteit 9 met zilver beslagen 19 luide 10 gedeukt 20 doordringen 11 plaatste untidy1 room behind the shop. The door opened, and Mr. Kybird in his shirt-sleeves appeared at the opening. "Wot's the row 2?" he demanded, his little black eyes glancing from one to the other. "Only a lovers' quarrel 3," replied Jack. "You go away; we don't want you." "Look 'ere, we don't want none o' your nonsense," said the shopkeeper, sharply; "and wot's more, we won't 'ave it. Who put that rubbish on my counter?" He bustled forward 4 and, taking the articles in his hands, examined them closely. "Three shillings for the lot5 — cash "," he remarked. "Done 7!" said the other. "Did I say three?" inquired Mr. Kybird, startled at this ready acceptance 8. "Five you said," replied Mr. Nugent, "but I'll take three, if you throw in9 a smile.'' LrM Mr. Kybird, much against his mclinations10, threw in a faint11 grin, and opening a drawer12 produced13 three shillings and flung them separately 14 on the counter. Miss Kybird thawed somewhat13, and glancing from the customer's clothes to his face saw that he had a pleasant eye and a good moustache. "Don't spend 16_ _it" on drink," she remarked, not unkindly. "I won't," said the other, solemnly17; "I'm going to 1 slordig 9 er bij doet 2 wat is er aan de band io zin 3 twist tusscben twee ver- n zwak liefden 12 lade 4 trad vlug naar voren 13 baalde te voorschijn 5 partijtje 14 een voor een 6 contant 15 werd wat vriendelijker 7 top 16 uitgeven 8 dat het zoo vlug aange- 17 plechtig nomen werd 6 7 buy house property 1 with it." Then he left the second-hand shop. W. W. Jacobs. (At Sunwich Port.) 4. THE BIRTHDAY PEESENT. At three o'clock Sir Everard Duncombe and his sevenyear-old son Humphrey mounted for an afternoon ride, and as they went along the road, the following conversation took place between them. "Will you pass through the town, father; because I've got some shopping2 to do." "Shopping! why, what do you want to buy?" "It's suoh a very great secret, that I don't think I can teil you. But perhaps you can keep a secret?" "Yes, I think I may promise to keep it." "Well, then, I'll teil you. It's a birthday present for you. And what would you like? But you must promise not to teil anyone.'' "No one shall know; but I think I would rather you chose for me; what you like, I shall like." "Well, now, I don't think you would. You see, I should like a pop-gun3, or some ninepins*. Now you would not care fors either of those, would you?" Sir Everard admitted6 that he was getting a little old for these amusements. "I thought so!" pursued7 Humphrey, delighted with his own discrimination8, "and that's what makes it so difficult. You've^got a watch, and a thermometer, and all the other o !LUiT „ „ 5 ^ven om 2 een boodschap 6 toegeven 3 kinderpistool 7 vervo]etle Keeels 8 slimheid things grown-up1 men have, so it is very puzzling2." "But, my dear child, all the things you mention3 are very expensive4, far beyond your little means, I should think. Why, how much money have you got?" "Well! that's just the awkward part5; I have not got any! But I thought perhaps you would n't mind6 giving me some, as it is for your own birthday present." Sir Everard laughed. "Bather an expensive way of having 7 birthday presents." "I don't think it will be very expensive," said the practical Humphrey; "but of course it depends on what I buy. Here is the shop, father; please stop." They pulled up8 before one of those little bazaar-like shops to be found in every small country-town. "Now mind," said Humphrey, as he jumped down from his pony, "mind you don't peep9 through the door, because you might see me looking at things on the counter. He waited for a moment till he had exacted 10 a promise from Sir Everard, and then ran into the shop. "I want something for a grown-up man," he said, as he advanced 11 to the counter. ! The shop-woman did her best to show everything she thought likely to suit12, but Humphrey was not at all satisfied with the choice. His restless eyes wandered 13 all over the shop. "Have you not got anything for a man to put in his pocket?" he asked. An inspiration 14 eeized the woman, and she advanced to the window. "Take care!" called out Humphrey, to the woman'sgreat 1 volwassen 8 Welden stil 2 moeilijk 9 gluren 3 opnoemt 10 afgeperst 4 duur 11 toetrad 5 het lastige van 't geval 12 passen, schikken 6 wou wel 13 dwaalden 7 krijgen 14 Ingeving 8 surprise, as she began to take down some things in the window. "Please don't," he continued, in an agony1, as, startled2 by his shout8, she remained, with a compass in one hand and a purse in the other.» "Father's out there, and he'U see what you take down, and guess it's for his birthday present." The woman humbly4 begged his pardon, but it was too late; Humphrey would not look at either purse or oompass. "You've spoilt s it all," he said; "he must have seen." He remained leaning disconsolately8 against the counter, gazing7 with no friendly eye on the rapidly increasing heap of goods which the patiënt woman produced from all the shelves 8 and showcases 9 of the shop for his inspection. "Have you got a husband?" he asked, suddenly. To Humphrey's horror, the woman put up her apron 10 bo her eyes, and began to cry. "Oh! I'm so sorry," said he; "I didn't mean to make jjou^cry, really. I see now you've got a cap11 on, so of 30urse he's dead. I'm very sorry he's dead," he continued ifter a pause, "because I was going to say perhaps he would have been able to teil me what a grown-up man would like." Then, afraid he had been unfeeling12, he added: "Of course, I'm sorry too, because it seems to make 70U unhappy. You don't remember, I suppose," he went ya. doubtfully, and eyeing 18 the widow carefully, to see how Ear he might go without fear of a fresh outburst14, "what he used to like for his birthday presents?" 1 doodsangst 8 planken 2 verschrikt 9 vitrines 3 uitroep 10 schort. 4 nederig 11 zwarte muts (wldow's cap) 5 bedorven 12 hard 6 mistroostig 13 In 't oog houdende 7 starende 14 uitbarsting 9 The woman cast her thoughts back 1 to the memory of the defunct2, and the prominent3 idea cormected with him being tobacco-smoke, she suggested 4 a cigar-case. Humphrey was delighted at the idea. "You don't mean to say they're in the window!" he exclaimed in despair5. The widow was obliged to admit6 that it was tpotrue. "What are we to do!" said Humphrey, dejectedly7. "I know!" he added the next moment, rumiing to the door. "Eather!" he shouted, "would you mind turning your head away for a minute, because we're going to get something out of the window." Sir Everard immediately looked at the door of the opposite public-house 8, to the great terror of one of his gardeners, who was issuing 9 therefrom, a little inebriated t0, and had been doing his best to escape the baronet'snotice 11. Humphrey was delighted12 with the cigar-cases. They were so brilliant in their embroidered covers13. He was particularly attracted by the smallest and smartest14. "It will hold so very few cigars," said the woman, "had you not better have a larger one?" "Oh, that doesn't matter 15 in the least," said Humphrey, "because father doesn't smoke. As long as it is smart and pretty to put into his pocket, it will do very well 16. Wrap it up17, please, so as to hide it quite, in case he should guess18 by the shape19." 1 liet teruggaan , . 11 aandacht 2 overledene 12 verrukt 3 voornaamste 13 geborduurde foudralen 4 stelde voor 14 mooiste 5 wanhoop 15 hinderen 6 toegeven 16 is hij heel goed 7 mistroostig 17 pak het in 8 herberg 18 raden 9 uitkwam 19 vorm 10 dronken 10 The widow wrapped it in a large piece of bröwn paper1, ind Humphrey left the shop. "You did not see, father?" he said earnestly, as he tnounted his pony, and Sir Everard assured him he had not onee looked towards the window. | "How much?" asked the baronet, as the parcel2 was aanded up to him. "Ten-and-sixpence," answered the shop-woman. Sir Everard hid his feelings and paid the money. "Isn't it cheap3?" said Humphrey, as they rode off, 'considering4 it's all embroidered with gold, and . . . . oh! 3ear me! I hope you haven't guessed by that?" "Far from it," answered Sir Everard; "I am more puzzled ;han ever; for I can't conceive 5 what you could have found in that little shop, all embroidered with gold." Humphrey was in great glee8."You haven't the jlightest7 idea, I suppose, father, what it is?" "Not the remotest8." "So I know something you don't. You often teil me you hiow so many things I know nothing about. Now it is just the other way9, isn't it?" "Just the other way," answered the baronet, and Humphrey rode on in a state of great elation 10. "It's a dreadful thing to have a secret," he observed presently 11, after having once or twice begun to speak, and ïtopped short12. "Why?" enquired his father, sniiding. "Oh! so dreadfully difficult to keep," he answered. "Two or three times I've been beginning to talk about it, and forgetting you weren't to know." 1 pakpapier 7 minste 2 pakje 8 3 goedkoop 9 andersom 4 in aanmerking genomen 10 zeer vroolijk 5 begrijpen 11 een oogenblik later G zeer blij 12 plotseling ophouden 11 "Let's talk of something else then." Another pause, and then Humphrey said: "Do you know, 'ather, I think you had better take 1 me home?" "Home already! are you tired2?" "No—it isn't that; but I know if I wait much longer, I shall be telling you the secret before I can stop myself. [f I only could teil some one, I should be all right; so that's why I want to get home to little Miles." Florence Montgomery. (Misunderstood.) 5. BILL NAPPER'S LEGACY. Bill Napper was a pavior3 who lived in Canning Town. One day, when he was with his mates 4 on a foot-path job 5, bis daughter Polly at dinner-time^^ A young man had left it, she said, after~asking many ill-mannered6 questions. The letter was addressed to "W. Napper, Esq.," with a flourish 7; the words "By hand" 8 stood in the corner of the envelope; and on the flap9 at. the back were the embossed characters10 "T. &N." These things Bill Napper noted 11 several times over, as he fcurned the letter about in his hand. "Seems to me you'11 'ave to open it af ter all," said one of Bill's mates; and he opened it, setting back his hat at> a preparation to serious 12 study. The letter was dated fromi Old Jewry13, and ran thus:— 1 brengen 8 in nanden S moe 9 klep 3 straatmaker 10 reliëf letters i makkers 11 merkte op 5 werk, karwei 12 ernstig 6 ongemanierde 13 straat in de City 7 naai, krul tÉfS?!! 12 (rê^B. Nappïb deceased. Dear Sir,—We have a communication in this matter from our correspondents at Sydney, New South Wales, in respect to testamentary dispositions2 nader which you benefit3. We shall be obliged if X°JL?f™Jï!: ake it convenient 4 to call at this office any day except Saturday between two and four.— Your obedient servants, Tirns d Norton. The dinner hour had gone by before the fuU meaning5 of this letter had been caught. "B. Napper deceased" Bill accepted 6, with a little assistance, as an announcement of the death of his brother Ben, who had gone to Australia nearly twenty years ago, and had been forgotten. "Testamentary dispositions" nobody could understand, although its distinct suggestion of biblicalstudy 7 was duly remarked. "Benefit" was right enough, and led one of the younger men, after some thought, to the opinion that Bill Napper's brother might have left8 him something: a theory instantly accepted as the most probable, although some thought it foolish of Ben not to leave it direct instead of antho'rising t h e i nterferen c e o f a la w y e r10, who would want to do Bill out of"it. Bill Napper put up12 his tools, and went home. There the "missis" put an end to doubt by repeating what the lawyer's clerk had said: which was nothing more definite 13 than that Bill had been "left a bit" 14., He had further 1 in zake 8 nagelaten 2 testamentaire beschikkingen 9 rechtstreeks 3 ten uwen gunste . 10 een advocaat tot tusschen- 4 schikken komst machtigen 5 beteekenis 11 ontfutselen 6 vatte op 12 borg op 7 dat bet duidelijk deed 13 bepaalds denken aan bijbelstudie 14 iets vermaakt was Jansonlus, Handelsleesboek. 2 13 advised the bringing of certain evidence1 011 the viait to the office. II. On the afternoon of the next day, Bill Napper, in clean moleskins 2 and black coat, made for3 Old Jewry. Having waited the proper time without the bar4 in the clerk's office; he was shown into a room where a middleaged man sat at a writing-table. There was no other lawyer to be seen. This was a stratagem 5 for which Bill Napper was not prepared. He looked suspiciously 6 about the room, but without discovering anything that looked like a hidingplace 7. Plainly 8 there were two lawyers, because their names were on the door and on the letter itself; and the letter said we. Why one should hide it was hard to guess9, unless it were to bear witness to10 some unguarded 11 expression. Bill Napper resolved to speak little, and not loud. The lawyer addressed him affably 12, inviting him to sit down. Then he asked to see the papers that Bill had brought. These were an old testimtonial13 reciting14 that Bill had been employed 15 "with his brother Benjamin" as a boy in a brick-field16, and had given satisfaction; a letter from a parish guardian17, the son of an old employer18 of Bill's father, certifying19 that Bill was his father's son and his brother's brother; copies of the birth registry 20 of both Bill and his brother, pro- 1 bewijzen I n onvoorzichtige 2 fusteinen broek [ 12 minzaam 3 begaf zich naar 13 getuigschrift i balie, hek 14 vertellende 5 krijgslist 15 werkzaam 6 argwane&d 16 steenbakkerij 7 schuilplaats 17 armvoogd 8 't was duidelijk dat 18 patroon 9 raden 19 verklarende 10 om getuige te zijn van ' 20 geboorteakten 14 cured 1 that moming; and a letter from Austraüa, the last word from Benjamin, dated eighteen years back. These Bill produced2 in succession, keeping a firm grip 0 n 3 each as he placed it beneath the lawyer's nose. The latter behaved somewhat testily 4 under this restraint5, but Bill knew better than6tolet the papers out of his possession, and would not be done 7. When he had seen all—"Well, Mr. Napper," said the lawyer, rather snappishly8 (obviously he was balked9), "these things seem all right, and with the inquiries I have already made 10 I suppose I may proceed11 to pay 12 you the money. It is a legacy13 of three hundred pounds. Your brother was- m&rried, and I believe his business and other property goes14 to his wife and children. The money is intact15, the estate16 paying legacy duty and expenses 17. In cases of this sort there is sometimes an arrangement for the amount to be paid a little at a time18, as required; that, however, I judge 19, would not be an arrangement to please you. I hope, at any rate, you will be able to invest20 the money in a profitable way. I Will make out 21 a cheque." Three hundred pounds was beyond Bill Napper's wildest dreams. But he would no be dazzled out of his ca ut ion 22. Presentiy the lawyer tore a blank form23 from a cheque book and, filling it un, pushed it across the table with another paper. He offered Bill a pen, pointing 1 verschart \Êt$' 13 erfenis 2 te voorschijn halen 14 komen 3 stevig vasthoudende .;. 15 er gaat niets ar i gemelijk 16 boedel 5 beperking 17 successierechten en onkosten 6 was niet zoo dwaas om 18 bij kleine bedragen 7 beetgenomen 19 oordeel 8 bits 20 beleggen 9 teleurgesteld 21 uitschrijven 10 ingewonnen 22 uit verbluftheid een onvoor- 11 overgaan zichtigheid begaan 12 uitbetalen I 23 blanco formulier 15 with his other hand. at the bottom of the second paper, and saying, "This is the receipt1. Sign just there, please." Bill took up the cheque, but made no movement towards the pen. "Beceipt?" he grunted2 softly; "receipt wot for? I ain't 'ad no money." "There's the cheque in your hand—the same thing. It's an order to the bank to hand you the amount —the usual way of paying money in business af fairs3. If you would rather have the money paid here, I can send a clerk to the bank to get4 it. Give me the cheque." But again Bill was not to be done. The lawyer, finding him sharper than he expected, now wanted to get this tricky 8 piece of paper back. So Bill only grinned6 at him, keeping a good hold of the cheque. The lawyer lost his temper7. "Why, damn it," he said, "you're a curious person to deal with8. D'ye want the money and the cheque too?" He rang a bell twice, and a clerk appeared. "Mr. Dixon," said the lawyer, "I have given this person a cheque for three hundred pounds. Just take him round9to the bank, and get it cashed10. Let him sign the receipt at the bank. I suppose," he added, tuming to Bill, "that you won't object11 to giving a receipt when you get the money, eh?" Bill Napper, conscious 12 of his victory, expressed his willingness to do the proper thing at theproper time13, and went out with the clerk. At the bank there was little difficulty, except at the clerk's advice to take the money chiefly in notes, which instanly confirmed 14 Bill in a determination15 to accept nothing but gold. When all was 1 kwitantie 9 breng: hem even 2 bromde 10 laten verzilveren 3 handelszaken 11 bezwaar maken 4 halen 12 zich bewust 5 bedrlegelijk 13 op zijn tijd te doen, wat bij 6 grijnslachte behoorde te doen 7 werd boos 14 versterkte S mee te doen hebben 15 besluit 16 done, and the three hundred sovereigns, carefully counted over for the third and the fourth time, were stowed 1 in small bags2 about his person^ Bill, much relieved3 after his spell of watchfulness4, insisted on standing the clerk a drink*. "Ah," he said," "all you City lawyers an' clurks are pretty sharp 6, I know, but you ain't done me, an' I don't bear no malice7. 'Ave wot you like —'ave wine or a six o' Irish 8—I ain't goin' to be stingy9. I'm goin' to do it open an' free, I am, an' set an example to men o' property 10." Then Bill Napper went home in a hansom 11, ordering a barrel of beer on the way. In his own street, observing two small boys engaged in a fight, he put up sixpence by way of st.akes12, and supervised 13 the battle from the seat afforded 14 by a c o nvenient w i n do w-si 111S. After that he bought a morning paper, and lay upon his bed to read it, with a pipe and a jug of beer; for he was beginning a 1 ife. of leisure and comfort16, wherein every day should be a superior Sunday. ni. On a certain morning about ten mönths later Bill, being minded 17 to go out, found but two shülings in his pocket. He called upstairs to the "missis," as was his custom in such cases, asking her to fetch 18 a sovereign or two, when she came down; and, as she was long in coming, he went up himself. The missis left the room hunïedly, and Bill, 1 weggestopt . 10 rijke lui 2 zakjes 11 2 wiellg huurrijtuig 3 verlicht 12 by wijze van Inzet 4 na zoo lang op zijn hoede 13 toezien geweest te zijn 14 geboden 5 trakteeren 15 gemakkelijke vensterbank 6 glad, geslepen 16 nu en gemakkelijk leventje 7 wrok koesteren 17 2in hebbende 8 30 cent Iersche whisky 18 halen 9" vrekkig 17 after raking out-1 every corner of the drawer2 (which he himself had not opened for some time) saw not a single coin3. The missis had no better explanation than that there must have been thieves in the house some time 1 ately4, a suggestion5 deprived6 of some value by the subsequent7 protest that Bill couldn't expect money to last8 for ' ever, and that he had had the last three days ago. In the end there was a vehement row9, and the missis was severely thumped 10. "After that," mused 11 Bill Napper, going out, "I suppose I'd better see about getting a job 12 at Allen's again. He can't but make me a gaffer13, considering I've been a man of property." Arthur Morrison. (Tales of Mean Streets.) 'i 6. THE STORY OF SIR RICHARD ARKWRIGHT. About the year 1752, any one passing ajgng a certain obscure alley14 in Preston, which was not then a great manufacturing town, as it is now, might have seen at the entrance to the underground flat15 of one of the houses a blue and white pole, with a brass plate 18 dangling at the end of it. The object of the sign 17 was to intimate 18 that, if any one wantod his hj^.enl,, or his chin shaved, he had only 1 doorzoeken 10 gestompt 2 lade 11 peinsde 3 muntstuk 12 werk 4 in den laatstcn tijd 13 baas, meesterknecht 5 denkbeeld 14 steeg 6 beroofd 15 sousterrain, kelderwoning 7 latere 16 kopersn bekken 8 duren 17 uithangbord 9 hevig standje ' 18 meedeelen 18 to step downstairs, and the owner of the sign would be delighted to accommodate 1 him. < But Eichard Arkwright, the owner of the pole and plate. had few opportunities of displaying2 his talents. He spent most of his time in whetting 3 his razors on a long piece of leather, and in keeping the hot water and soap ready for customers who seldom or never came. As he sat one night, before turning into his bed, meditating * on the hardness of the times, a bright idea struck him. If he could not get customers to come to him to be shaved for twopence — then the Standard charge5 — it occurred to him that they might be induced 6 to try his powers, if he asked a lower |ee_. Accordingly, the next morning the attractions of the signpole were ènhanced by a staring pl a e a rd 7, bearing the urgent8 invitation: Come to the subterraneous9 barber! He shaves for a Penny! ! As soon as this innovation10 became known, we can f ancy how indignant the other barbers were at t h e u nprincipled conduct11 of one of their number — and how they prophesied his speedy ruin. A number of people, remembering what the proverb says about the penny saved, began to patronize 12 the "Subterraneous Barber," and he soon drew so many customers away from the higher-priced shops of his competitors13 that they were obliged to reduce their tariff, after a while, to a penny as well._ Not to be outdone14, Arkwright 1 van dienst zijn | s dringend 2 toonen 9 onderaardsch 3 aanzetten 10 nieuwigheid 4 nadenken li het beginselloos gedrag 5 gewone prijs 12 begunstigen fi bewegen 13 concurrent (en) : 7 verhoogd door een opvallend 14 om niet den strijd te ver- Wljet llezen 19 lowered his charge to a half-penny, and so retained his rank as the cheapest barber in the place. Arkwright's parents had been very poor people; and as he was the youngest of a family of thirteen, it may be readily supposed, that the schooling he got was but very little, — if, indeed, he ever was at school at all. He was of a very ardent1 temperament, however, and when he once took a thing in hand, he persevered 2 in carrying it through to the end. About the year 1760, being then nearly thirty years of age, Arkwright got tired of the shaving, which brought him but a very scanty livelihood3, and resolved to try his fortune in a trade 4 where there was more scope 5 for his activity. He therefore began business as a. dealer in hair, travelling all over the country to buy it up, dressing6 it himself, and then disposing of7 it in a prepared state to the wig-makers *. He throvë so well9 that in a short time he was able to lay by10a little money and. to marry. He was very fond of spending what leisure time11 he had in making experiments in mechanics12; and for a while hé was very much taken up with an attempt to solve the attractive problem of perpetual motion, although of course he left the question unsolved. Living in the midst of a manufacturing population, Arkwright was accustomed to hear daily complaints of the difficulty of procuring sufficiënt yarn to keep the looms employed13, and of the restriction 14 thus placed on the manufacture of cotton goods. 1 vurig- 9 was zoo voorspoedig 2 volharden 10 opsparen 3 schraal bestaan 11 vrije tijd 4 vak 12 werktuigkundige proeven 5 ruimte, gelegenheid 13 garen om de getouwen aan 6 prepareeren het werk te houden 7 van de hand doen 14 beperking 8 pruikenmakers 20 Being of a mechanical t u r n \ he was led to think how the difficulty might be lessened, if not got rid of altogether. Arkwright, assisted by a clock-maker of the name of Kay, soon became so engrossed in2 his new task, and so confident of success, that he began to neglect3 his regular business. All his thoughts, and nearly all his time, were given up to the great work he had taken in hand. His trade feil o f f 4; he spent all his savings in buying materials for models, and in getting them put together5; and he got into very poor circumstances. His wife reasoned with him6 on what she considered his foolishness, but in vain; and one day, in a rage at what she believed to be the cause of all their privations 7, she broke some of his models. This was more than Arkwright could bear, and they separated. i In 1768, Arkwright, having completed the model of a machine for spinning cotton tbread, removed 8 to Preston. At this time he had hardly a penny in the world, and was almost in rags9. On the occasion of a contested election10. the party with whom he voted11 had to supply him with a decent suit of clothes before he could present himself at the polling-booth 12. He got leave, however, to set up his machine in the dwelling-house attached to the Pree Grammar School; but, afraid of the hostility13 of the spinners, he thought it best to leave Lancashire, and go to Nottingham. Poor and friendless, it may easily be supposed that Arkwright found it a hard matter to get any one to back 14 1 werktuigkundig- aangelegd s verhuizen 2 vol van g lompen 3 veronachtzamen, verwaar- 10 een stembusstrijd loozen 11 stemmen 4 verminderde 12 stembureau 5 in elkaar zetten 13 vijandelijkheid 6 onderhield hem 14 steunen 7 ontberingen 21 him in a speculation which people then regarded as hopeless. He at length succeeded in convincing Messrs. Need and Strutt, stocking weavers 1 in the place, of the value of his invention, and induced them to enter into partnership 2 with himl. In 1769 he took out a patent for his spinning-machine, and a mill3, worked by horse-power, was erected 4 for spinning cotton by it. In a year or two, the success of Arkwright's invention was fairly established5. The manufaoturers were fully alive to6 its importance; and Arkwright now reaped the benefit of7 all the toil and danger he had undergone, in the shape of a disgraceful8 attempt to rob him of his patent rights. Besides trying to defrand9 him of his rights, the competing 10 manufacturers did their best to belittle 11 the use of the yarns he made, saying they were absolutely unfit to be woven into fafarics 12, although they were much superior to those produced by them. Arkwright retaliated 13 by working up his own yarn into stockings and calicoes 14, which became a very profitable business. For the first five years, Arkwright's mills yielded little or no profit, the greater part óf the earnings being absorbed15 by the expenses necessary to improve his plant16; but after that, the adverse tide17 against which he had struggled so bravely turned, and he followed a prosperous and honourable career18 till his death'. He died in 1792, leaving a fortune of about half a million sterling. 1 kousenwevers 10 concurreeren 2 zich assoclëeren 11 klelneeren 3 fabriek 12 stoffen 4 oprichten 13 beantwoordde dit 5 behoorlijk verzekerd 14 gedrukte katoenen stoffen 6 zich bewust van 15 opgeslokt 7 de vruchten plukken van 16 zijn machinerieën verbeteren 8 schandelijk 17 tegenspoed 9 berooven 18 loopbaan 22 7. THE PUZZLE OF THE MISSING PENNY. Here is a puzzle, knowri as the Covent Garden Problem, which appeared in London some forty or fifty years ago, accompanied by the assertion 1 that it had mystified 2 the best mathematicians 3 of England and could not be explained. Two women go to market; each having thirty apples to sell. Mrs. A. intends 4 selling hers at the rate 5 of two for a penny. Mrs. B. sells hers at the rate of three for a penny. Before the opening of the market Mrs. B. says to Mrs. A.: "I am obliged to go away. Will you be kind enough to sell my apples along with yours?" To which her friend says: "Of course I will; and as you are selling yours three for a penny, while I give two for a penny, we will throw the mail in together6, and give five for twopence, which will be the same thing." When Mrs, B. returned, she was pleased to find that trade had been good and that all the apples were disposed of7. So Mrs. A. proceeded8 to divide the money, saying: "I sold the whole lot9 at five for twopence, so in all I got twenty-four pence. As I had thirty at two for a penny, I get fifteen pence of the total sum, and there is a balance 10 of nine pence for you." "No," says Mrs. B., "I had thirty apples at three for a penny, so I should get ten pence." But in spite of all their arguments the mysterious 11 penny is still missing, and they are forced to own their inability to account for it12. Now, where has that other penny gone to 13 ? 1 bewering- ' 9 partij 2 bedrogen 10 sald0 3 wiskundigen geheimzinnig 4 is van plan 12 erkennen dat ze niet in staat „ ?r*Js zijn om te zeggen, waar hij 6 bij elkaar doen gebleven is 7 verkocht 13 ^bleven 8 ging er toe over Tl i ïiliiniii miimwi ■ hm^^^^m 23 r 8. AT THE ITALIAN CUSTOM HOUSE. We should have had a great deal of trouble in getting through the Italian Custom House x, but for the thoughtfulness 2 of our American consul-general in' Frankfort. He introduced me to the Italian consul-general, and I brought away from that consulate a letter which made our way smooth s. It was half a dozen lines, merely commending 4 me in a general way to the courtesies of officers5 in His Italian Majesty's service, but it was more powerful fchan it looked. In addition to a lot of ordinary luggage, we had six or eight trunks * which were filled exclnsively 7 with dutiable 8 stuff— household goods purchased in Frankfort for use in Florence, where we had taken 9 a house. I was going t o d e s p at c h these through10 by express; but at the last moment an order went throughout Germany forbidding the carriage 11 of any parcels 12 by train unless the bwner went with them. This was a bad outlook 13. We must take these things along 14, and the delay 15 sure to be caused by the examination 16 of them in the Custom House might lose 17 us our train. I imajrined all sort of terrors 18, and enlarged them steadily as we approached' the Italian frontier19. We were six in number, and clogged 20 with all that luggage, and I was courier21 for the party—the most incapable22 one they had ever employed. We arrived, and pressed 23 with the crowd into the im- 1 douanekantoor 13 vooruitzicht 2 zorgvuldigheid 14 mee 3 effen 15 oponthoud 4 aanbevelende 16 visitatie 5 beleefdheid van ambtenaren 17 doen missen 7 uitsluitend 18 verschrikkingen 6 koffers 19 grens 8 belastbaar 20 overladen 9 gehuurd i 21 leider 0 doorzenden 22 onbekwaam 1 vervoer 23 drongen 2 bestelgoed 24 mense Custom House, and the usual wc-rries 1 began: everybody crowding to the counter and begging to have his luggage examined first. It seemed to me that I could do nothing; it would be better to give it all up and go away and leave the luggage. I couldn't speak the language; I should never accomplish2 anything. Just then a tall handsome man in a fine uniform was passing by, and I knew he must be the station-master—and that reminded me of my letter. I ran to him and put it into his hands. He took it out of the envelope, and the moment his eye caught the royal coat of arms3 printed at its top, he took off his cap and made a beautiful bow 4 to me, and said in English: "Which is your luggage? Please show it to me." I showed him the mountain. Nobody was disturbing 5 it; nobody was interested in it; all the family's attempts 6 to draw 7 attention to it had failed 8, except in the case of one of the trunks containing the dutiable goods. It was just being opened. The station-master said to the Customs officer9: "There, let that alone ! Lock 10 it. Now chalk 11 it. Chalk all of the lot. Now, please comfe and show me the hand luggage." He made his way through the waiting crowd, I following, to the counter, and he gave orders again, in his emphatic 12 military way: "Chalk these. Chalk all of them." Then he took off his cap and made that beautiful bow again, and went his way. By this time these attentions had attracted the wonder13 of the other passéngers, and the whisper14 had gone around that members of the royal family were present getting their luggage chalked; and as we passed down 1 drukte, Jast 8 misi^en 2 vottrengen, uitrichten 9 douane-beambte 3 wapen 10 slult i bn,8ln? H met krijt merken 5 er aan raken 12 nadrukkelijk 6 pogingen 13 verwondering 7 vestigen 14 gefluister 25 the platform 1 on our way to the door, I was conscious 2 of an atmosphere of envy 3, which gave me deep satisfaction. But soon there was an accident. My overcoat pockets were stuffed with German cigars and linen packages of American smoking tobacco, and a porter4 was foliowing us around with this overcoat on his arm, and gradually 5 getting it upside down. Just asl, in the rearof6 my family, passed by the sentinels7 at the door, about three hatfuls of the tobacco tumbled out on the floor. One of the soldiers pounced upon it8, gathered it up in his arms, pointed back whence I had come, and marched me ahead of him9 past that long wall of passengers again—he exulting 10 like a devil, they smiling in peaceful11 joy, and I trying to look as if my pride 12 was not hurt13, and as if I did not mind 14 being brought to shame 13 before these pleased people, who had so lately envied me. But at heart I was cruelly humbled16. When I had been marched two-thirds of the long distance, and the niisery17 of it was at the worst, the stately18 stationmaster stepped out from somewhere and the soldier left me and darted 19 after him and overtook20 him, and I could see by the soldier's excited gestures21 that he was telling him the whole business. The station master was plainly22 very angry. He came striding 23 down towards me, and when he was come near he began to pour out 24 a stream of indignant25 Italian; then suddenly took off his cap and 1 perron 14 er om geven 2 bewust 15 schande 3 afgunst 16 wreed vernederd 4 kruier 17 ellende 5 allengs 18 driftig 6 achter 19 snellen 7 schildwachten 20 inhalen 8 sprong er op toe 21 opgewonden bewegingen 9 voor zich aan 22 't was duidelijk, dat 10 vol vreugde 23 stappen 11 vredige 24 uitstorten 12 trots 25 verontwaardigd 13 gekrenkt 26 made that beautiful bow again, and said, "Oh, it is you! I beg you a thousand pardons! This idiot here " he turned to the exulting soldier and burst out with a flood of white-hot1 Italian lava, and the next moment he was bowing, and the soldier and I Were moving in procession again—he in the lead 2 and ashamed, this time, I with my chin up3. And so we marched by the crowd of astonished passengers, and I went forth to the train with the honours of war—tobacco and all. Mark Twain (More Tramps Abroad.) « 9. THE HISTORY OF HASSAN THE ROPEMAKER. In order to make you comprehend 4 the means 5 by which I obtained my present wealth 6, I must begin by speaking of two friends, one called Saadi, and the other Saad. Saadi, who is very rich, has always been of opinion, that f a man cannot be happy in the world without a great fortune which enables him to live independently of every one. Saad thinks differently; he maintains7 that virtue oonstitutes 8 the happiness of men, without more of the good things of this world than is necessary to supply 9 our real wants. One day, in a conversation on this subject, Saadi asserted 10 that the poor are poor only because they cannot come at a sum of money, large enough to enable them by indulT try 11 to increase 12 their fortunes. Saad was of opinion that a poor man may become rich by many other means, as well as with a large sum of money. 1 «««««ie . 7 beweert 2 vooroD o o „,„, „ 8 vormt, uitmaakt 8 met opgeheven hoofd 9 voorzlen m t SJ?e° 10 beweerde a UT 11 vlijt 6 rlJkaom 12 vermeerderen 27 'Sir," I replied, "you will cease9 to be surpnsed, w ell you'that, though I work hard from morning till ni is with difficulty that I can earn enough to pro< sad and vegetables10 for myself and family. I have a i five children, and not one of the latter is of an ag 'e me any assistance 11. It is sufficiënt that we are con l with the little which it pleases Heaven to give us, i not under the necessity of begging l2." On hearing this, the generous13 Saadi drew a pur m his pocket, and putting it into my hand: "Take it," said he, "you will find two hundred piec< ld in it, make a good use 15 of them." I was so transported 16 with joy that I could not spea t out my hand to seize that of my benefactor17 to kis t they instantly continued their walk. After they were gone, my first thought was, where I si it the purse for safety 18. In my little house I had ne touwslager 10 groenten aanspreken 11 steun beroep 12 bedelen onderhouden . 13 edelmoedig sparen 14 beurs opslaan 15 SeDrulk voorraad bennep 16 verrukt * Some days after this dispute, it happened that the two friendi passed through that part of the. town, where I was at work as a ropemaker1. My dress clearly showed my poverty. "Let us accost2 this man," said Saadi, "and see if he is as poor as he seems to be." The two friends came to me, and after the usual salutations, when I had told them my name, "Hassan," said Saadi, "as there is not any trade3 which does not support4 its master, I am astonished that you have not saved 8 something, and laid in 6 a good stock of hemp7to extend 8 your business." "Sir," I replied, "you will cease9 to be surprised, when I teil you'that, though I work hard from morning till night, it is with difficulty that I can earn enough to procure bread and vegetables10 for myself and family. I have a wife and five children, and not one of the latter is of an age to give me any assistance 11. It is sufficiënt that we are contented with the little which it pleases Heaven to give us, and are not under the necessity of begging 12." On hearing this, the generous 13 Saadi drew a purse14 from his pocket, and putting it into my hand: "Take it," said he, "you will find two hundred pieces of gold in it, make a good use 15 of them." I was so transported 16 with joy that I could not speak. I put out my hand to seize that of my benefactor17 to kiss it, but they instantly continued their walk. After they were gone, my first thought was, where I should put the purse for safety 18. In my little house I had neither 1 touwslager 10 groenten 2 aanspreken H steun 3 beroep 12 beaelen 4 ondernouden . 13 edelmoedig 5 sparen 14 beurs 6 opslaan 15 *eDnllk 7 voorraad bennep lfi verrukt 8 uit te breiden 17 weldoener 9 ophouden 18 veiligheid 28 safe1 nor chest2 with a lock 3 to it. Ab I had been used4, like other poor people in my way of 1 i f e 5, to hide in my turban the little money which I had, I went into my house, drew ten pieces of gold out of the purse, and wrapped 6 the remainder in the folds of linen round my turban. The principal business of that day was to buy a good stock of hemp, and as I had not had a bit of meat7 for a long time, I went to the market and bought some for supper. Eeturning to my home, I held the meat in my hand, when an eagle 8 darted upon it, and in the effort which I made to resist9 him, my turban feil on the ground. Immediately the eagle seized it and flew away with it. I uttered 10 such piercing11 cries, that the men, women and children in the neighbourhood were alarmed, and joined 12 their cries to mine, but the bird was not frightened, and carried my turban so far that we quite lost sight of him. I returned home very sad at the loss I had sustained 13, but the little satisfaction which my benefactor would receive from his liberality 14, gave me most uneaéiness 1S. It was about six months after the eagle had caused this misfortune, when the two friends passed at a üttle distance from the place in which I lived. This brought me to their r e c o 11 ec t ion ls. "Let us go," said Saad, "and see if the two hundred pieces of gold, that you gave to Hassan, have put him in the way 17 to be at least in a better situation than that in which we found him." "I wish to do so," replied Saadi, "you will see a great alte- 1 brandkast 10 uitte 2 kist 11 doordringend 3 slot 12 voegden 4 gewoon 13 geleden 5 stand 14 vrijgevigheid 6 wikkelen 15 angst 7 vleesch 16 deed hen weer denken aan 8 arend mij 9 weerstaan 17 gelegenheid Jansonlus, Handelsleesboek. 3 29 ration 1 in him; I doubt whether we shall know him again." Saad, who first saw me in the distance, said to his friend: "I see Hassan; but the only difference I can discover is that his turban is not quite so dirty." On coming near, Saadi saw that Saad was right, and was so much astonished that he could not speak. "Well, Hassan," said Saad; "we do not ask how your aff airs have prospered2; the two hundred pieces of gold must have helped to improve them." "Gentlemen," replied I, "I am very sorry to be compelled3 to teil you both that your expectations 4 as welï as mine have not had the success which I had proroised myself." I then told them my adventure, with all the circumstances which I have just relateds. Saadi did not believe my story. "Hassan," said he, "you wish to deceive us. Eagles do not attack6 turbans." Saad took my part7, and related many histories of eagles not less surprising than mine. "Saad," said his friend, "you are now at liberty to convince 8 me that there are other means which can make the fortune of a poor man." Saad held a piece of lead9 in his hand, which he showed to Saadi. "You have seen me," replied he, "piek up this piece of lead, which lay at my foot: I am going to give it to Hassan, and you will see how valuable 10 it will be to him." Saadi burst into a violent fit11 of laughter, while I thought Saad was only amusing himself. However, I took the piece of lead, thanking him for it, and put it carelessly12 into m'y pocket. The two friends left me to finish their walk and I resumed 13 my work. 1 verandering' I 8 overtuigen 2 vooruitgaan j 9 lood 3 gedwongen $E*'|f 10 Kostbaar i verwachtingen ll bul 5 verhaald 12 achteloos 6 aanvallen 13 hervatte .7 koos mijn zijde 30 ' That very 1 night it happened that one of my neighbours, a fisherman, in preparing his nets, found that he wanted a piece of lead; and at that hour he could not buy a piece, as the shops were all shut. It was ,however, absolutely necessary for him to get some, that he mdght procure food for himself and his family, by going to fish two hours before daylight. He expressed his vexation2 to his wife, and sent her to ask the neighbours to supply 3 his want. At last she came to my door. I had been some time asleep, but I awoke, and asked what she wanted. "Hassan," said the woman, raising 1 her voice, "my husband wants a little bit of lead to mend 5 his nets; and if by chance 6 you have any, he begs you would give him a piece." The piece of lead that Saad had given me was fresh in my mempry, so I answered my neighbour, that I had a piece, and if she would wait a moment', my wife should bring it her. The fisherman's wife was delighted that she had not come so far for nothing. "Neighbour," said she to my wife, "the service which you have done 7 my husband and me is so great, that I promise you the first fish that my husband will t-atch." The fisherman, glad to find the lead that he so much wanted, approved 8 the promise which his wife had made. He mended his nets, and went to fish two hours before daylight as usual. In the first throw9 of bis net, he caught but one fish; but it was more than two feet long. 1- zelfde | 6 toeval "O 3 ergernis 7 bewezen 3 voorzien in s goedkeuren ï verheffende . 9 worp ö herstellen 31 I was extremely stirpnsed, as I was at work, to see him come towards me, bringing fish. "Neighbour," said he, "my wife promised you, last night, the first fish that I caught. I have only this fish for you. Take it, I beg you, such as it is!" I accepted the fish, and carried it to my wife, who, in cleaning it, found a diamond, which she supposed to be glass. She gave it to the youngest of our children as a plaything 2. At night when the lamp was lighted, our children, who were still piaying with it, perceived that it became brighter i n proportion as3 my wife hid4 the light of the lamp. I told them to bring it me, and tried it myself. I asked my wife to hide the lamp in the chimney5. She did so. I saw the supposed piece of glass gave so much light that we could almost have done without the lamp. "Here," said I, "is another advantage which the piece of lead procures us; it saves8 us the expense 7 of oil." When my children saw I had extinguished8 the lamp, and that the piece of glass supplied t he _ pl a c e o f itj^, they shouted 10 so loud that they were heard througbout the neighbourhood. The house next to mine belonged to a very rich man, by trade 11 a jeweller, and the next day, when I had gone to my workshop 12, the jeweller's wife came in to complain 13 how much their sleep had been disturbed14 by my children's noise. "My good neighbour," said my wife, "I am very sorry, but you know what children are—a trifle 15 wüLmake them 1 hoogst 9 haar verving 2 speelgoed io schreeuwden 3 naar gelang 11 van beroep 4 verborg 12 werkplaats 5 schoorsteen 13 klagen 6 bespaart 14 gestoord 7 kosten 15 kleinigheid S uitgedaan 32 iaugh, and a tófIV will make them cry. Come in, and I will show you the cause of their noise." The woman, who was acquainted 1 with all sorts of stones, examined the diamond, and my wife told her how she had found it; and when she had done, she returned it to her, and begged her, if she thought of selling it, not to let anybody see it without giving her notice 2 of it. The jeweller was absent at3 his shop, and his wife went to him and told him of the diamond she had disoovered. He sent her back to bargain4 about its price with my wife, ordering her to offer at first a trilling 5 sum, and to increase her bid6 in proportion to the difficulties she found. The jeweller's wife, according to her husband's direction 7, spoke to my wife, and asked her whether she would take twenty pieces of gold for it. For a piece of glass, as she supposed it to be, my wife thought this a considerable sum. I came home whilst they were talking at the door. My wife stopped me to ask if I would sell the piece of glass for twenty pieces of gold. I did not give an immediate answer; and the woman, thinking my silence arose8 from contempt9 of the sum, said: "Neighbour, I will give you fifty pieces for it, will that satisfy you?" As I saw she so quickly raised the sum from twenty to fifty pieces, I told her she was far below the price at which I would dispose Of it 10. "Neighbour," replied she, "take a hundred pieces of gold; it is a great deal of money — I do not know if 1 bekend 6 bod 2 kennis 7 voorschrift 3 m 8 kwam voort 4 onderbandelen n verachting? 5 Meine 10 van de hand doen 33 my husband would approve1 of my offering so much." At this new rise2, I told her I would have a hundred thousand pieces of gold for it; that I knew the diambnd was worth more, but to please her and her husband, who were our neighbours, I would be contented with this sum, and that if they refused it, other jewellers would give me more. The woman repeatedly 3 offered even fifty thousand pieces of gold, which I refused. "I dare4 not," said she, "offer more without my husband's leave5! I beg you to wait till he has spoken to you, and seen the diamond." This I promised. At night, when the jeweller came homie, he asked me to see the diamond. I desired him to come in, and shflwed it him. He took it, and after having examined *t a long time: "Well, neighbour," said he, "my wife tells me she has offered you fifty thousand pieces of gold; I offer you twenty thousand more." "Neighbour," returned I, "your wife may have told you that the price I have set6 upon it is a hundred thousand, and I will abate 7 nothing of it." He bargained8 a long time, but at last the bargain9. was concluded at the price fixed 10 by me. The next day the jeweller brought me the hundred thousand pieces of gold, and I delivered 11 him the diamond. The sale 12 being thus conchided, I became rich. I returned 13 thanks to Heaven, and should have done the same to my two friends, had I known where they lived. 1 goedkeuren 8 dingen 2 verhooging 9 koop 3 herhaaldelijk . 10 vastgesteld * durf 11 overhandigde 5 verlof 12 koop 6 gesteld 13 bracht 7 laten vallen 34 I thought afterwards of the proper 1 use I ought to rnake of the money. My wife wished to buy handsome clothes, to purchase a house and furnish 2 it. "Wife," said 'I, "it is not with these expenses3 that we ought to begin. We must proceed 4 in such a way that we may have a_fund5 from which we may draw6, without fear__of_jts being exhansted V' I accordingly engaged8 workmen in my own trade9 to work for me, till all the ropemakers in Bagdad were^employed by me14; I hired warehouses11 to store 12 the large stocks of rope manufactured by them, and to sell it in, and soon my profits were considerable. Some time had passed, when Saad and Saadi, one day passing through the street in their walk, were much astonished not to find me. Their wonder increased, when they heard I had become a very thriving13 merchant, and had built a house, like a palace. They came to my house, and when they were mtroduced 14, I arose from my seat15 to welcome them. I then told them the adventure of the fish, and when I had done, Saadi said to Saad: "I give up my opinion, and believe with yoü that money is not always a certain means to become rich." The two friends stayed 16 for two nights at my house well pleased to know that I did not make an ill17 use of the fortune which, after Heaven, I owed 18 to them. 1 TZ?m ! 10 ln m«n 2 meublleeren u pakhmzen \ ult*aven 12 opslaan 4 te werk graan 13 voorspoe<11 l fonas 14 aang-edlend 6. PUUen 15 zetel ' Ultp""en 16 logeerden 8 derhalve aannemen 17 giecnt 9 vak 18 te danken hebben 35 10. THE DIAMOND MINES AT KIMBERLEY. The Kimberley diamond deposits1 were discovered about 1869, I think. When everything is taken into consideration a, the wonder is that they were not discovered five thousand years ago and made f amiüar 3 to the African world for the rest of time. Eor this reason: the first diamonds were found on the surf ace of the ground. They were smooth and limpid 4, and in the sunlight they vomited 5 fire. They were the very things which an African savage 6 would value7 above every other thing in the world excepting a glass bead \ Eor two or three centuries we have been buying his lands, his cattle, his neighbour, and any other thing he had for sale9, for glass beads; and so it is strange that he was indifferent to the diamonds—for he must have picked them up 10 many and many a time. It would not occur to him11 to try to sell them to whites12, of course, since the whites already had plenty of glass beads, and more fashionably shap e d 13, too, than these; but one would think that the poorer sort of black 14, who could not af ford15 real glass, would have been humbly 16 content to decorate himself with the imitation17, and that presently 18 the white trader would notice the things, and dimly 19 suspect, and carry some of them home, and find out what they were, and at once empty20 a multitude of fortune-hunters 21 into Africa. There are many strange things in human historv; and surely one of the stran- 1 vorming-en I 12 blanken 2 aanmerking 13 slerllJfc g-evormd 3 bekend ii ne»er 4 beider i5 betalen 5 uitbraken, uitstralen 16 nederig 6 wilde I7 namaaksel 7 waardeeren 18 spoedig daarop 8 kraal 19 rf*** 9 te koop 20 uitstorten 10 oprapen 21 fortuinzoekers 11 bij bem opkomen 36 gest is that the diamonds were allowed to lie sparkling1 there so many ages without exciting2 anyone's interest. * The revelation3 came at last by accident4. In a Boer s hut out in the wide solitude5 of the plains6, a travelling stranger noticed a child playing with a bright object, and was told that it was a piece of glass which had been found in the velt7. The stranger bought it for a trifle 8 and carried it away; and being without honour9, made another stranger believe it was a diamond, and so got $ 125 out of him for it, and was as pleased with himself as if he had done a righteous 10 thing. In Paris the wronged11 stranger sold it to a pawnshop 12 for $ 10,000; the pawnshop sold it to a countess for $ 90,000, the countess sold it to a brewer18 for $ 800,000, the brewer traded 14 it to a king for -a dukedom and a pedigree 15, and the king "put it up the spout I know these particulars to be correct. The news flew around, and the South-African diamondboom 17 began. The orijrinal traveller—the dishonest one— now remembered that he had once seen a Boer chocking 18 his waggon-wheel on a steep 19 grade 20 with a diamond as large as a football, and he laid aside his occupations 21 and started out to h u n t f o r22 it, but not with the intention of cheating anybody out of 23 $ 125 with it, for he had reformed 24. We now come to matters more didactic 25. Diamonds are not imbedded26 in rocks fifty miles long, like the Johannes- 1 fonkelend l 14 verkwanselen 2 op te wekken 15 stamboom , 3 onthulling- 16 in den lommerd plaatsen 4 toeval 17 rage 5 eenzaamheid 18 vastzettende 6 vlakten 19 steil 7 veld, vlakte 20 helling 8 kleinigheid 21 werk 9 eerloos 22 zoeken 10 rechtvaardig 23 oplichten voor II bedrogen 24 zich verbeteren 12 pandhuis 25 leerrijk 13 brouwer I 26 gevat 37" burg gold, but are distributed1 through the rubbish2 of a filled-up well3, eo to speak. The well is rich, its walls are sharply defined4; outside of the walls are no diamonds. The well is a crater5, and a large one. Before it has been meddled with6, its surf ace is even7 with the le vel p 1 a i n 8, is carpeted with grass, like the rest of the plain, and there is no sign to suggest9 that it is there. The pasturage 10 aovering the surface of the Kimberley crater was sufficiënt for the support11 of a cow, and the pasturage underneath was sufficiënt for the support of a kingdom; but the cow. iid not know it, and lost her chance. The Kimberley crater is roomy 12 enough to admit13 the Roman Coliseum 14; the bottom of the crater has not been reached, and no one can teil how far down in the bowels 18 :>f the earth it goes. Originally it was a perpendicular 16 hole packed full of blue rock or cement; and scattered17 through that blue mass, like raisins18 in a pudding ,were the diamonds. As deep down in the earth as the blue stuff ïxtends19, so deep will the diamonds be found. There are three or four other 'celebrated craters near by—a circle. three miles in diameter20 would enclose them ill. They are owned b y21 the De Beers Company, a 3on3olidation22 of diamond properties23 arranged by Cecil Rhodes twelve or fourteen years ago. The De Beers owns 24 Dther craters; they are under the grass, but De Beers knows 1 verspreid 14 ruïne van een grootèn 2 Dum schouwburg1 in Rome 3 Put 15 binnenste 4 afgeteekend 16 loodrecht 5 krater 17 verspreid G aangeroerd 18 rozijnen 7 gelijk 19 ZiCh uitstrekt s effen vlakte 20 middellijn 9 aanduiden, er op wijzen 31 behooren aan 0 weide 22 vereeniging 1 onderhoud 23 eigendommen 2 ruim 24 bezitten 3 bevatten 38 where they are, and will open them some day, i£,the market should require it. Originally the diamond deposits were the property of the Orange Free State; but a judicious 1 "rectification" 2 of the boundary line3 shifted 4 them over into the British territory of Cape Colony. A high official5 of the Free State told me that the sum of $ 400,000 was handed to his coimtrv as an indemnity6, or something of the sort, and that he thought his country did wisely to take the money and keep out of a dispute, since the power was all on the one side and the weakness all on the other. The De Beers Company dig7 out $ 400,000 worth of diamonds per week, now. The Cape got the territory, but no profit; for Mr. Rhodes and the Rothschilds and the other De Beers people own the mines, and they pay no taxes 8. In our day the mines are worked upon scientific 9 principles, under the guidance 10 of the ablest mining-engineers 11 procurable12 in America. There are elaborate 13 works for passing the blue rock through one process14 after another until every diamond it contains has been h u nted down and secured15. I watched the "concentrators" at work—big tanks containing mud 16 and water and invisible 17 diamonds—and was told that each could stir 18 and properly treat 19 300 carloads 20 of mud per day—1,600 pounds to the carload—and reduce 21 it to three of slush. I saw the three carloads of slush taken to the "pulsators" and 4 oordeelkundig «8? 12 verkrijgbaar 2 verbetering „ ultge£elae 4 verplaatste 14 beWerklng' laten onaer- 5 ambtenaar * y I schadevergoeding \\ ZaT bemaCW1?en I ?IfVe.? 17 onzichtbare 8 belastingen 18 roeren ' ^fn^nappelijk 19 nehandelen ? *?lnfr , 20 karrevrachten II mIJn'n^nieurs | 21 terugDren?en tot 39 there reduced to a quarter of a load of nice clean dark-coloured ' sand. Then I followed it to the sorting-tables1 and saw the men deftly2 and swiftly3 spread it out and brush it about and seize the diamonds as they showed up 4. I assisted, and once I found a diamond half as large as an almond. It is an exciting 6 kind of fishing, and you feel a fine thrill6 of pleasure every time you detect7 the glow of one of those 1 i mpid p e b b 1 e s8 in the dark sand. I would like to spend my Saturday holidays in that charming sport every now and then. Of course there are disappointments9. Sometimes you find a diamond which is not a diamond; it is only a quartz crystal or some such worthless 10 thing. The expert11 can generally distinguish it from the precious stone 12 which it is connterfeiting 13; but if he is in doubt, he lays it on an anvil14 and hits it with a sledge-hammerl5. If it is a diamond, it holds its own16 ; if it is anything else, it is reduced to powder 17. I liked that experiment18 very much, and did not tire 19 of repetitions of it. The De Beers concern20 treats 8,000 carloads1—about 6,000 tons—of blue rock per day, and the result is three pounds of diamonds. Value, uncut21, $ 50,000 tojj $ 70,000. After cutting, they will weigh22 considerably less than a pound, but will be worth four or five times as much as they were before. All the plain around that region 23 is spread over, a foot 1 sorteertafels 13 nabootsen 2 handig- 14 aambeeld 3 vlug 15 groote hamer, voorhamer 4 zich vertoonen 16 weerstand bieden, heel blij - 5 opwindende ven 6 riUlng VfJjfr'? 17 tot poeder geslagen 7 ontdekken 18 proer 8 heldere steentjes 19 moe worden 9 teleurstellingen 20 zaak 10 waardeloos 21 ongeslepen 11 deskundige 22 wegen 12 edelgesteente 23 streek -„jaM 40 deep, with blue rock placed there by the Company, and looks like a ploughed1 field. Exposure2 for a length of time nuakes the rock easier to work than it is when it comes out of the mine. If mining should cease 3 now, the supply * of rock spread over these fields would furnish 5 the usual 8,000 carloads per day during three years. The fields are fenced 8 and watched7; and at night they are under the constant inspection of lofty 8 electric searchlights 9. They contain fifty or sixty million dollars' worth of diamonds, and there is an abundance of enterprising 10 thieves around. In the dirt11 of the Kimberley streets there is much hidden wealth 12. Some time ago the people were granted the privilege of a free wash-up 13. There was a general rush 14, the work was done with thoroughness 15, and a good harvest18 of diamonds was gathered 17. The deep mining is done by natives 18. There are many hundreds of them. They live in quarters built around the inside of a great compound19. Tbey are a jolly 20 and goodnatured 'lot, and accommodating 21. They performed 22 a war dance for us which was the wildest exhibition23 I have ever seen. They go down the shaft24, work there, come up again, are searched, and go to bed or to their amusements; and this routine they repeat, day in and day out. It is thought that they do not now steal many diamonds— successfully. They used to swallow 25 them, and find other 1 geploegd 14 stormloop 2 blootstelling aan de lucht 15 grondigheid 3 ophouden 16 oogst 4 voorraad 17 verzameld 5 verstrekken 18 inboorlingen 6 afgesloten 19 omheinde ruimte 7 bewaakt 20 vroolijk 8 hooge 21 inschikkelijk ■ 9 zoeklichten 22 vertoonden 10 ondernemende 23 vertooning 11 vuil 24 schacht 12 rijkdom 25 inslikken 13 zoeken 41 ways of coucealing them, but the white man found ways • of beating 1 their various. games 2. One man cut his leg and shoved3 a diamond into the wound, but even that project 4 did not succeed. When they find a fine large diamond they are more likely to report5 it than to steal it, for in the foimer case they get a reward6, and in the latter they will probably merely get into trouble. Some years ago, in a mine not owned by the De Beers, a black found what has been claimed 7 to be the largest diamond known to the world's history; and as a reward he was released 8 from service and given a blanket9, a horse, and five hundred dollars. It made him a Vanderbilt. He could buy four wives, and have money left 10. Four wives are an ample support11 for a native. With four wives he is wholly independent, and need never do a stroke 12 of work again. Thaftgreat diamond weighs 971 carats 13. It has a flaw 14 in it, otherwise it would be of incredible 15 value. As it, is, it is held to be worth $ 2,000,000. After cutting, it ought to be worth from $ 5,000,000 to $ 8,000,000; therefore persons desiring to save money should buy it now. It is owned by a syndicate16, and apparently there is no satisfactory market for it. It is earning nothing; it is ea tingit» head cff 17. Up to this time it has made nobody rich but the native wyho found it. He found it in a mine which was being worked by contract18. That is to say, a Company had bought the privilege of taking from the mine 5,000,000 carloads of blue 1 verijdelen 11 een ruim bestaan 2 spelletjes 12 slag 3 schuiven 13 karaat (0,205 Gr.) i plan 14 vlek 5 melden 15 ongelooflijk 6 belooning 16 syndicaat 7 beweerd 17 kost maar geld, ligt rente- 8 ontslagen loos o deken 18 onder een contract geöx- 10 geld overhouden plolteerd 42 rock, fora sum down1 and a royalty 2. Their speculatie n • had not paid3; but on the very day that their privilege ran out4, that native found the $ 2 000,000 diamond and handed it over to them'. The Koh-i-Noor is a large diamond, too, and valuable, hut it cannot compete 5 in these matter» with three which— according to legend—are among the crown trinkets6 of Portugal and Eussia. One of these is held7 to be worth $ 20,000,000; another, $ 25,000,000; and the third, something over $ 28,000,000. Those are truly wonderful diamonds, whether they exist8 or not; and yet they are of but little importance in comparison9 with the one with which the Boer waggoner 10 chocked his wheel on that steep grade, as heretofore referred to11. In Kimberley I had some conversaJtion with the man who saw the Boer do that—an incident12 which had occurred twenty-seven or twenty-eight years before I had my talk with him. He assured me that diamond's value could have been over a billion dollars, but not under it. I believed him, because he had devoted 13 twenty-seven years to hunting for it, and was in a position 14 to know. A fitting 15 and interesting finish 16 to an examination of the laborious 17 and oostly processes whereby the diamonds are got out of the deeps of the earth and freed from the base stuffs18 which imprison them, is the visit to the De Beers offices in the town of Kimberley, where the result of each day's mining is brought every day, and weighed, as- 1 bedrag ineens l 10 vrachtrijder 2 percenten 11 genoemd, vermeld 3 had geen winst opgeleverd I ia gebeurtenis 4 eindigde Vi besteed 5 concurreeren 14 in staat 6 kroonjuweelen 15 gepast 7 geacht 16 einde S bestaan 17 moeilijke 9 vergelijking is onedele stoffen 43 aorted1, valued2, and deposited in safes till the shippingday s. An unknown and unaccredited * person cannot get into that place. "We saw the day's output5—shining little nests of diamonds, distributed a foot apart6, along a counter7, each nest lying upon a sheet8 of white paper. That day's catch9 was about $ 70,000 worth. In the course of a year, half a ton of diamonds pass under the scales10 there and sleep on that counter; the resulting money is $ 18,000,000 or $ 20,000,000. Profit, about $ 12,000,000. Young girls were doing the sorting—a nice, clean, dainty 11 and probably distressing 12 employment. Every day dncal18 incomes sparkle through the fingers of those young girls, yet they go to bed at night as poor as they were when they got up in the morning. The same thing next day and all the days. They are beautiful things, those diamonds, in their native 14 state. They are of various shapes, they have flat surfaces, rounded borders15, and never a sharp edge. They are. of all colours and shades of col our16, from dew-drop white to actual17 black: and their smooth and rounded surfaces and contours 18, variety of colour, and transparent limpidity19, make them look like piles20 of assorted candies 21. A very light straw 22 colour is their comimonest tint. It seemed to me that these uncut gems 23 must be more 1 gesorteerd 13 hertogelijk 2 getaxeerd 14 oorspronkelijk 3 tijd van verzending 15 randen 4 niet geïntroduceerd 16 kleurschakeeringen 5 opbrengst 17 volkomen 6 van elkaar 18 omtrek 7 toonbank 19 doorschijnende helderheid 8 vel L$|1Pa 20 Napels 9 vangst 21 kandij 10 worden gewogen 22 stroogeel 11 fijn 23 edelgesteenten 12 pijnlijk 44 beautiful than any cut ones could be; but when a oollection of cut ones was brought out, I saw my mistake. Nothing is so 'peautiful as a rosé diamond with the light playing through it, except that uncostly 1 thing whioh is just like it—wavy 2 sea-water with the sunlight playing through it and striking 3 a whitesand bottom. 11. A COEDIAL EECEPTION. One morning, just when the doors of Mr. David Harum's bank at Homeville in Massachuetts had been opened, two men came in, the foremost a hulking4 fellow, with an expression of repellents sullenness6. He came forward to within about ten feet of David's desk, while his companion halted near the door. David eyed him in silence. "I got^this here notice7 this morning," said the man, "saying that my note8 would be due* to-morrow, and would have to be paid." "Well," said David, with his arm over the back of his chair and his left hand resting on his desk, "that's so, isn't it?" "Maybe so," was the fellow's reply, "as far as the coming due is concerned 10, but as to the paying part, it is another matter." "Were you calculating to have it renewed11?" asked David, leaning a little forward. "No," said the man, coolly, "I don't want to renew it for any particular time, and I guess it can run along for a while just as it is." His clerk was watching David's face with an expression of the uttermost enjoyment. David twisted 1 goedkoop, niets J&stend 7 kennisgeving 2 golvend 8 promesse (promissory note) 3 vallende op 9 vervallen 4 groot, zwaargebouwd 10 betreft 5 afstootende 11 verlengd, vernieuwd 6 norschbeid Jaiisonius, Handelsleesboek. 4 45 his chair a little more to the right and out from the desk. "You think it can run along, do you?" he asked, suavely 1. "I'm glad to have your view2 on the subject. I guess it can, too, until to-morrow at four o'clock, and after that you can settle 3 with lawyer Johnson or the sheriff V' The man uttered a disdainful 5 laugh. "I guess it'11 puzzle you to collect6 it," he said. Mr. Harum's bushy 7 eyebrows met above his nose. "Look here, Bill Montaig," he said, "I know more about this matter than you think. I know that you have been bragging 8 that you'd fix mie in t his d ea 19. You said that you'd set u p u s u r y 10 in the first place, and if that didn't work 11, I'd find you were execution proof12 anyways. That's so, isn't it?" "That's about it," said Montaig, putting his feet a little farther apart. David had risen from his chair. "You didn't talk that way," proceeded the latter, "when you came whining13 here to get that money in the first place, and as I reckon some of the facts in the case have slipped out of your mind14 since that time, I guess I'd better refresh your memory a little." It was plain from the expression of Mr. Montaig's countenance 15 that his confidence in the strength of his position was not quite so great as at first, but he maintained 16 his attitude as well as in him lay. ' "In the first place," David began his assault17, "I didn't lend you the money. I borrowed it for you and charged 18 1 minzaam . /ï geen succes had 2 opinie 12 dat een gerechtelijke verkoo- | 3 afrekenen ping je niet kon deren i deurwaarder 13 grienen 5 minachtende 14 vergeten zijn 6 innen 15 gelaat 7 borstelig 16 bewaarde 8 opsnijden 17 aanval 9 in deze transactie vastzetten 18 bracht iets in rekening 10 beweren dat het woeker was ' 46 you for doing so, as I told you at the time; and another thing that you appear to forget is that you signed a paper stating that you were worth, in good and a v a i 1 a b 1 e p e rsoaals1, free and clear2, over five hundred dollars, and that the statement was made to me with the view of having me endorse3 your note for one-fifty ($ 150). Recollect that?" David smiled grirnly at the look of disconcert4 which in spite of himiself, appeared in Bill's face. "I don't remember signing a paper," he said, doggedly 3. "Just as like as not," remarked Mr. Harum. "What you were thinking of at that time was getting that money." "I'd like to see that paper," said Bill, with a pretcnce of in cr edu 1 it y 6. "You'11 see it when the time comes," replied David. He squared himself7, planting his feet apart, and, thrusting his hands deep in his coat pockets, faced the discomfited 8 fellow. "Do you think, Bill Montaig," he said, with measureless contempt9, "that I didn't know whom I was dealing with? that I didn't know what a low-lived skunk10 you were? and didn't know how to protect myself against such animals as you are? Well, I did, and don't you stop thinking about it—and," he added, shaking his finger at the object of his scorn11, "you'll pay that note or I'll put you where the dogs won't bite you," and with that; he turned on his heel and r e s u m e d his s e a t12. Bill stood for a minute with rage and defeat13 in his lowering 14 face. "Got any further business with mie?" inquired Mr. Harum. 1 Beschikbare roerende goede- **j - zette zich schrap ren- 8 uit 't veld geslagen 2 onbezwaard j 9 minacnting. 3 garandeeren, mede onder- 10 gemeene smeerlap teekenen n verachting i verwarring u, giDg weer Mtm 5 norsch 13 verslagenheid 6 ongeloovlgheld voorwendende 14 dreigend 47 "Anything more that I can oblige you about?" There was no answer. "I asked you," said David, raising his voice and rising to his feet, "if you had any further business with me." ,"1 don't knowvl have," was the sullen1 response. "All right," said David. "That being the case, and as I've got something to do besides wasting 2 my time on such worthless fellows as you are, I'll thank you to get out. There's the door," he added, pointing to it. "Ho, ho, ho, ho, ho!" came from the throat of the clerk. This was too much for the exasperated3 Bill, and he erred 4 (to put it mildly)sin raising his arm and advancing a step towards his creditor. He was not swift6 enough to take the second, however, for David, with amazing quickness, sprang upon him, and twisting7 him round, rushed him out of the door, down the passage, and out of the front door, which was held open by an outgoing cliënt, who took in8 the situation and gave precedence to9 Mr. Montaig. His companion, who so far had taken no part, made a motion to interfere 10, but the clerk, who stood near to him, caught him by the collar and jerked 11 him back, with the suggestion 12 that it would be better to let the two have it out13 by themselves. David came back rather breathless and very red in the face, but evidently14 in exceeding. good humour. "There!" he exclaimed. "Haven't had such a good tusele 18 for a long time." E. N. Westcott. (David Harum). 1 norscbe 9 Het voorgaan 2 verbeuzelen 10 zich er inmengen 3 woedend ' 11 wierp 4 vergiste zich 12 raad 5 op zijn zachtst uitgedrukt 13 uitvechten 6 vlug 14 blijkbaar 7 draaiende 15 kloppartij 8 begreep 48 12. THE COTTON SPINNER'S SECRET. Sir Robert Peel, father of the late1 prime minister of England, made his money by cotton-spinning. At first his business was not extensive2, but suddenly he made a tremendous start3, and soon distanced4 all his rivalss. He grew immensely 6 rich; but the lucky accident to which he was indebted7 for his enormoua wealth 8 is not generally known. In the early days of cotton-spinning, great trouble 9 was caused by filaments 10 of cotton adhering 11 to the bobbins12 and accnmulating so as to clog18 the machinery. This rendered 14 frequent stoppages 18 necessary to clean the machines, and caused much loss of time. Every effort was made to find out some plan to prevent18 this clogging, but in vain, and the evil17 seemed. insurmountable18. Of course the delays19 caused in cleaning the machines seriously affected20 the wages of the operatives 21. It was noticed, however, that one man always drew23 his full pay23, and his loom24 never had to stop to be cleaned, although every other loom in the factory25 might , be idle28. It was suspected that he p.u t his bobbins through27 some secret process, which it was resolved to discover, if possible. He was watched 28, and his fellow-workmen tried 1 wijlen 15 stilstaan 2 uitgebreid, groot 16 verhinderen 3 ging reusachtig vooruit 17 Kwaad 4 achter zich laten 18 onoverkomelijk 5 mededingers 19 oponthoud 6 onmetelijk 20 beïnvloeden 7 verschuldigd 21 werklieden 8 rijkdom 22 ontving » last 23 loon 10 vezels 24 weergetouw 11 vastkleven 25 fabriek 12 klossen 26 stilstaan 13 tegenhouden 27 liet ondergaan n maken I 28 bespied 49 to extract1 the secret from him; but all to no purpose2. At last Mr. Peel sent for him to have an interview3 with him. He was a rough Lancashire man, unable to read or write, and entered his employer's4 j resence shuffling5 along the floor with his big clumsy 6 wooden shoes. "Well, Dick," said Mr. Peel, "how do you manage7 to have your bobbins always clean ? Have you any objection 8 to let me know?" The workman replied that it was a secret, and that if he told it, others would know as much as he. Mr. Peel offered him anything he would ask, if he would only communioate the secret. The workman grinned", scratched 10 his head, and shuffled for a few minutes, while his master anxiously 11 waited for his reply, expecting that he would probably ask a hundred pounds or so—a sum which he would most willingly have given. Presently Dick said: 'Til teil you, if you'11 give me a quart12 of beer a day as long as F ml in the mills 13. Mr. Peel quickly agreed to14 the terms15, saying: "You shall have it, Dick, and half a gallon16 every Sunday into the bargain17." "Well, then," said Dick, first looking caufciously 18 around to see that no one was near, and putting his mouth close to Mr. Peel's ear: "This is it: chalk 19 your bobbins." This, indeed, was the great secret. Dick had been in the habit of furtively20 chalking his bobbins, and this simple 1 uit hem te krijgen , li nieuwsgierig 2 tevergeefs 12 ruim 1 liter 3 onderhoud 13 fabriek 4 patroon 14 aannemen 5 schuifelend 15 voorwaarden 6 lompe 16 4.5 liter 7 het aanleggen 17 op den koop toe 8 bezwaar 18 voorzichtig 9 grinnikte 19 met krijt bestrijken 10 krabde 20 heimelijk 50 contrivance1 had prevented the adhesion2 of the cotton. As the bobbins used were white, the chalking escaped detection 3. The sagacious4 Mr. Peel saw the use of the advice at a glance5, and at once patented6 the invention; his firm soon took the lead7 in cotton-spinning. It is but right to add that a handsome pension was settled 8 on Dick, to whose ingenuity9 the invention was originally due 10. 13. PAUL WATT'S INDISCRETION. I. "I should leave it in Consols11, Paul, I should really!" murmured the rector's wife. "They're safe, you know." "But think of the miserable interest12!" cried the rector of Longwash, which is a hamlet13 you have never heard of, in a remote14 part of the Lincolnshire coast. "Consols will never go up again! I shall re-invest18 the money." "Well, dear, mind 16 you get sound advice," said Mrs. Watt. "You can't always trust these stockbrokers 17. Get a "' friend who knows about these things to advise you." "I'm going to," said Mr. Watt. "I intend to get the best advice to be had in England." "Dear me! I didn't know you knew anyone who was i middeltje , 10 te danken ; Weven 11 Engelsche staatsfondsen 3 ontdekking 12 rente 4 scherpzinnig 13 gehucht 5 dadelijk ii afgelegen 6 patent nemen op 15 opnieuw beleggen 7 ae eerste zijn 16 Pas op 8 vastzetten 17 effectenhandelaars 9 vernuft 51 anything at all in. the financial world," responded1 Mrs. Watt. "I know one man," said the rector. "At least, I did know him." And he laughed. "I did know Jesse Lewis— and he had very good cause to know me!" "Jesse Lewis—the millionaire! The man who ia pulling down a mnsic-hall2 and building a church in Leicester Square?" "Yes; Jesse Lewis. The man whose wealth is in everybody's rnouth." "And how do yo*u come to know him, Paul?" "He was in my form 3 at Umberslade School, when I was a young man. And among other things, I taught him a r i t hm e t i c 4 ! Think of the use he's made of it since." "He is an old pupil5 of yours! How interesting ! I wonder if he remembers you!" "Doubtless he had forgotten all about me till I ventured* to remind him of my existence." "Then you've written to him?" "Aye—and received his answer." The Eev. Paul was, in his simple way, a secretive 7 sort of man, and fond of surprises. Therefore, to the interested and astonished eyes of his good wife, he now displaycel8 . a letter. Mrs. Watt rèad it aloud:— The Chop House, Pall Mali, S.W. April 3, 19—. My dear Mr. Watt,—Of course I remember you! Is it likely I should forget my old form-master at 1 antwoordde 5 leerling' 2 variété 6 waagde 3 klasse 7 geheimzinnig doend i rekenen s vertoonde 52 Umberslade? I am af raid I was rather a handful1 ia those days, and have to thank you for keeping my nose to the grindstone2! And if, as you say, you would like my humble advice on investments 3, it is entirely at your service. The best time to see me is the afternoon, between three and five. Your card 4 will procure you a prompt audience5. — Believe me, my dear Mr. Watt, Yours faithfully, Jesse Lewis. "There, my dear, isn't that a delightful letter? One is not often so rememibered by one's old pupils!" And the rector's eyes gleamed8. "It seems a nice letter," agreed 7 Mrs. Watt, "but," sbe added slówly, "I should be careful with him. There is a touch of something in it I don't altogether like .... Was he a favourite boy of yours?" "Hardly a favourite," laughed the rector. "No, hardly that! He was very talkative8, I remember, and so our relations were not al ways agreeable. Still, all that part of it is forgotten and forgiven by now, of course ..... And to think—to think I taught him arithmetic!" "And when are you going to see him?" asked Mrs. Watt. "To-day," said the Eev. Paul. "This very afternoon. Next week he may have flown9 to the South of Prance or America. Strike while the iron's hot!" "Very well," said Mrs. Watt, 'Til pack your bag." She paused at the door. "But be careful, Paul. That legacy 10 1 lastig- 6 straalden 2 mij aan 't werk houden 7 stemde toe 3 beleggingen 8 praatziek i kaartje 9 gevlogen 5 gehoor 10 erfenis 53 is all we have, my dear, beyond your living1. And, after all, Consols are absolutely safe." "With a touch of his magie wand2," replied the Rev. Paul lightly, "Mr. Lewis can turn my two thousand into ten!" II. In the waiting-room of the Chop House a smart 3 boy in buttons4 placed a chair for the Eev. Paul Watt and took in his card to the secretary, returning presently with the words: "Mr. Lewis will see you immediately, sir." The men and women of fashion, the sharp-eyed financiers, the clerks and messengers5 looked with interest on the rural clergyman who was to be seen "immediately" —who, apparently, was to be given priority6 over all of them. "Mr. Watt." The clean-shaven7 secretary was scanning8 the assembled persons with a quick glance. "Ah—Mr. Watt 1 Will you come in, sir?" And into the presence of Jesse Lewis, millionaire, went the Eev. Paul Watt, with a humble9, hasty step. The great man was sitting in an absurdly 10 simple room. A desk 11, a chair for himself and his visifor, a few good mgravings 12 on the walls— and that seemed to be really a.11 there was in the room. Pupil and master looked at each other for a moment— pupil now a good six inches 13 above master — and then jhook hands. 1 predlkantssalarls 8 nauwkeurig- overzien 2 tooverstaf 9 nederig 3 vlug in bespottelijk 4 livrei 11 lessenaar 5 boden 12 gravures 6 voorrang 13 duim 7 gladgeschoren 54 "It is a great pleasure to me to see you, sir," said the financier, and such were his terne and manner, that for a moment it seemed to the old rector that the forty years' gap 1 in their associations 2 had never existed, and that once again they were master and boy. "I have not seen anyone from Umberslade for years. They mbstly went into the professions3, didn't they? But I—wandered4." "To some purpose 5," put in the Rev. Paul genially 6. "Possibly—possibly." And a certain wistfulness7 came for a moment into the financier's eyes. "Possibly. Yet they, no doubt, are as well off—where they are." "And yet, no doubt, many of them envy 8 you," ventured the rector. "I daresay 9. But envy is of ten the result of ignorance 10." "There is, of course, a shady11 side to every street," said the rector. It was not a very fortunate 12 remark, and ] Jesse Lewis's eyes narrowed a trifle13. "Great wealth, after all, has its penalties 14, as well as its pleasures," went on the rector, with a gallant15 effort to cover his maladroit18 observation. "Very few minutes of your time are your own, I expect?" "That is unfortunately so," admitted 17 the financier. "Therefore, my dear Mr. Watt, we had better be making use of the minutes I am able to place at your disposal18. You have some money to invest19, I understand?" "What must seem a trifle to you," smiled the rector. 1 tusschenmimte u schaduw 3 omtrang- la gelukkige 3 studeerden door 13 weinig 4 rondzwerven 14 straffen 5 niet tevergeefs 15 moedig 6 vroolijk ie onhandig 7 peinzende Wik 17 stemde toe, gaf toe 8 benijden 18 beschikking 9 zonder twijfel, zeker 19 beleggen 1U onwetendheid "Two thousand pounds—a legacy that has recently1 come my way." "And a very snug2 little sum, sir. Now, let us see. I can suggest 3 to you a number of sound securities4 that will yield5 you three or four per cent. —municipal loans 6, tramways, and things of that sort " He paused, for he had not failed to note that the rector's countenance7 had f allen 8. And in that pause Jesse Lewis had summed up 9 his man. "I am entirely in your hands, Mr. Lewis," said the rector. "But I told my wife that I would not leave the money in Consols." "Ha! You would pref er a livelier investment?" The financier appeared to reflect10. "Something a little more ambitious11? Eh? Well, why not! You would like your two thousand to doublé itself, let us say." • .1. The rector could not restrain a chuckle. Once he had turned his two thousand into four, he might be prepared to consider a, quiet, gilt-edged13 investment that would b r i n g him i n14 a snug and certain two hundred pounds a year. j "Well, now, let me think," said Jesse Lewis, casting 15 a long glance at his visitor. "I fancy18 I know something that would suit17 you. But I am going to make a condition.'' "I will accept any condition that an honourable man can accept." 1 onlangs 10 nadenken 2 aardig 11 eerzuchtig 3 voorstellen 12 Inhouden t sollede fondsen 13 prima 5 opbrengen 14 opbrengen 6 gemeenteleenlngen 15 werpend 7 gezicht 16 verbeeld mij 8 betrokken 17 passen 9 beoordeeld 56 "I should not," said Jesse Lewis, with a touch 1 of coldness, "make any condition that was not so. I simply want you to give me your word that you will not teil anybody of the investment I am going to suggest 2 to you. Not a soul3. Not your wife, even." "I agree. It is a condition I can easily conform to V' "Very well. I have your word to that effect The investment I am going to suggest is a diamond mine in Ehodesia, called the Mountain Cat. The shares8 are at present very low, and you can piek them up, as we say, for a song 6. You will instruct your bankers to realise 7 your Consols, and you will then send your cheque to a broker whose name I will give you, with instructions 8 to spend the entire amount on "Mountain Cats." Perhaps you had better retain a loose hundred' or so, as you will no doubt like to have a little pocket-money to go on with. Then you will holdon to10 yours shares till your broker, advised by me, suggests that you sell." "I see," cried Mr. Watt. "I quite see. How plainsailing 11 it all seems !" "And in the meantime you are not to say a single word to anybody about this investment." "Not a word. You have my promise." The financier rose and held out his hand. "Be very careful. Mr. Watt, that you keep it." Then Jesse Lewis openend the door leading into the antechamber, and conducted the old clergyman past the men and women of fashion, the sharp-eyed financiers, the clerks 1 ^eeTa 7 verkoopen 2 voorslaan 8 opdracht 3 sterveling- 9 een £ 100 ios gem m nanaen •4 zich. houden aan houden 5 aandeelen 10 vasthouden 6 schijntje eenvoudig werk 57 58 and messengere, to the corridor 1 beyond, and waited with him till the lift bore him down and away. III. ■ "He could not have been," declared the rector, on returning home a few days later, "more agreeable. I am more than glad that I wrote to him." "And what has he advised you to put2 your money in?" "Ah! That is more than I can teil you." "Do you mean, Paul, that you have given him your two thousand pounds to do as he likes with?" "By no means, my dear. By no mieans. I am handing the money to a stockbroker to invest." "In what?" "That, I repeat, is more than I can teil you." Mrs. Watt looked puzzled3 for a moment. Then her countenance cleared4. She was accnstomed to a certain secretiveness5 in her husband. It was oja all fours with6 the way in which he purchased his simple presents and prepared other little surprises for his family. However, tangible 7 results of the rector's windfall8 were presently in evidence 9, for Mr. Watt was soon m ak i n g a hole in10 the loose hundred he had kept to his credit11 at the bank. Delightedly he planned 12 a real holiday for thle summer nowj upon them—a holiday in which work would have no part. The holiday was taken, and the family returned in September brown and fit13. It had been a fambus heliday, 1 gang: 8 fortuintje 2 steken 0 merkbaar 3 verbijsterd « 10 een gat slaan in ■4 verhelderde 11 in zijn credit 5 geheimzinnigheid 12 een plan maken voor j I 6 in overeenstemming met 13 gezond « 7 tastbaar pil 59 and was ever after talked of. And through it all not a word feil from the laps of the Eev. Paul Watt about his investment. No word either came from the broker; week followêd week, and still he kept silent. It was a little trying1, but the Rev. Paul must not open his lips. Still ringing2 in his ears he heard Jesse Lewis's stern3 warning. Of ten the rector heard those words. They entered into his dreams; they mingled4 with the sound of the church bells. The , birds twittered5 them at_him, and he saw them written across the blue of the sky: "Be careful, Mr. Watt, that you keep it!" The first nip of winter6 found the promise unbroken and the postman bnnging many letters and circulairs7, but no word from the broker. People were beginning to say, not without reason, that the rector was looking thinner8. He was beginning to look appreciably9 older, too, and much as this money meant, his wife at times found herself wishing that he had never come into 10 it. Before he knew what he had, and 1 i v e d w i t h i n i t11 (with a struggle) ; now, she surmised 12, he did not know what he had. One of these letters the postman brought, that was never the letter he wanted, bore a familiar superscription 13. It was from an old schoolfriend, an Indian C i v i 1 Servant14, at home on furlough 15; and he expressed a desire to come" and spend a week with Paul Watt. Paul expressing his pleasure at this, the Civil Servant duly arrived. And 80 'Lcame to pass16 that, on the last night of l nard I 9 merkbaar ' weerklinkende 10 g.egrM 3 strenge tl er 4 mengden zich 12 glste 5 kweelden „ opscnrlft. 0 koude dagen u ' circulaires 15 veriof 8 magerder | 16 8.ebeurae 60 the Civil Servant's stay, the chat1 turned on investments. The Civil Servant had done well2. He had money to lay out3. Did his old friend know anything? What, for instance, had he put his recent legacy into? For a time Paul Watt kopt his Ups closed on his secret. He must not teil. But the broker had waited overlong to write. The thing was burning itself into his brain 4. He must teil . . . And he told. But, first, he, too. extracted* a promise of secrecy6 from his old friend, and then the words came out with a sudden rush: "Buy Mountain Cats!" "Eh? Diamond mine? No, no! Never touch 'em. Where's the paper? . . . What are7 they at? Pooh! Four and sixpence! My good Paul " An effort—a tremble of the lips. Then: "Jesse Lewis told me to buy them!" The Civil Servant bounded8—literally bounded—out of his chair. "Jesse Lewis!" "Yes. He is an old pupil of mine. So, to oblige me " "I see ! I see! . . - He wouldn't l_et his old schoolmaster down9 . . . That sort of man never would ..." "But you won't mention a word of this?" How old Paul Watt was looking, what anxiety there was in his eyes, as he almost cried this out to his friend. "Not a word! No one will take any notice of an Indian on holiday trying to make a few pounds out of a doubtful diamond mine." 1 gekeuvel 6 sebeimhoudlng 2 was voorspoedig' 7 staan 3 beleggen 8 sPron* 4 bersens 9 beetnemen 5 afdwingen 61 "No. Of course not. But if he says how he came to do it " "Ah! That's quite another matter. But you must rely1 on me, my dear Paul!" And the Civil Servant really meant what he said. But the Civil Servant had a pretty young wife. And so, you may remember, had Samson. IV. In the Kaffir Market—which is that part of the Stock Exchange devoted2 to the sale and pnrchase of South African mining and land shares—large, well-dressed men were jostling 3 each other to get the latest prices in Mountain Cats. The name was on everyone's lips, and orders to buy were being wired from all parts of the United Kingdom. The craze4 spread to Paris, and even Berlin, usually sober 5 in such matters, was drawnjnto the vortex 6. The cry of "Cats," and the eagerness7 of brokers to execute their clients' orders, temporarily converted 8 the market into a pandemoniumThe "Street" dealings10 after the official closing hours were no less excited. Meanwhile Jesse Lewis sat in his Chop House, gravely 11 answering thejpall 12 and p a r ce 11 i n g out13 the shares for which there was such an eager 14 demand. And at length got ridjof 15 all of them, and sat at the Chop House without a single Mountain Cat to18 his name. 1 vertrouwen 9 nei 2 gewijd 10 zaken op straat 3 verdringen lt met ernstig gelaat * rage 12 vraag 5 kalm, nuchter 13 verdeelen 6 draaikolk 14 sterke 7 gretigheid 15 raakte kwijt ' 8 veranderde 16 ten Jansonius, Handelsleesboek. 5 62 And it was not till then that the Financial Hawk, a paper which had never liked Jesse, printed an article asking questions about these Mountain Cats. What sort of things were they, anyhow? What had been this precious mine's output1 up to date? Jesse Lewis smiled indifferently, when he was shown the article, and threw the paper into the waste b a s k e t2. But the people who had bought Mountain Cats did not smile. In a hurry some of them put3 their shares on the market—to find no buyers. More shares came tumbling along for disposal4, and more and more, and Cats as a result feil as quickly as they had risen. And one day Paul Watt opened his paper to find that he could not get even four and sixpence for his shares. The slump 5 was complete. Then once more the rector hurried to the Metropolis, looking ever so much older than he had done on his previous journey. To the Chop House he wended his way6, and, as before, he was given precedence7 over all callers. "How do you do, Mr. Watt?" "How do you do, Mr. Lewis?" The rector sat down, and the two men looked at each other. At length the old clergyman spoke: "Mr. Lewis, where is my money?" And the financier replied: "Mr. Watt, where is the promise you declared you would keep?" "My money is lost," wailed8 the old man. "Your promise is broken." The financier rose, opened the door of another room, and 1 opbrengst 5 de gxoote daling 2 prullemand 6 richtte zijn schreden 3 brachten 7 voorrang 4 ten verkoop 8 Jammerde 63 spoke in a-low tone to his secretary. Then he returned to his desk and sat down. "You have broken your promise, Mr. Watt, and I knew you would." "You knew I would?" ■ '''Yes. However, though you do not appear to have done I yourself a good turn 1, you have done me one. I have made eighty thousand pounds out of Mountain Cats, Mr. Watt." The Eev. Paul could not speak. "Mr. Watt," the financier went on, "when you wrote to me and reminded 2 me of our Umberslade a ssociation3, I failed4 to understand why you should consider that that association warranted5 you in seeking my advice. As far as I can remember, I was never a favourite of yours. As a boy I was naturally talkative, and you seemed to regard that as a crime 6 in me And now you yourself appear to have erred 7 in that respect." "One very old friend " murmured the rector. "It doesn't matter who it was. You told him. So, Mr. Watt, time having reversed 8 our places, I have had to set you an impoaition9. You have shown it up, and the slate10 is clean.'' "But my money!" cried the rector. "My two thousand pounds.'' "That is quite safe." "What!" The rector was on his feet, his lips parted 11 in amazement. "Your broker sold at the right moment and doubled it for you. I saw 12 to that.'' 1 dienst 7 gedwaald, gezondigd 2 herinnerde 8 omgekeerd 3 relatie te U. 9 strafwerk 4 kon niet 10 lei 5 recht gaf 11 geopend 6 misdaad 12 zorgde 64 "Then—then you were as good as your word?" "Of course I was. The word of Jesse Lewis is still a thing men have some regard^1 for." He pressed a button2, and the secretary appeared with a cheque. Jesse Lewis signed it, blotted 3 the signature, and handed the piece of paper to the caller. "Four thousand pounds, Mr. Watt." "I—I am more than obliged to you, Mr. Lewis," stammered4 the rector, as he was shown out by the secretary into the antechamber. R. S. Warren Bell (Grand Magazine.) 14. A SHARP-WITTED SMUGGLER. In order to evade the import-duties5 that are levied 6 in England on spirits 7 and some other articles, many attempts are made to smuggle such dntiable 8 goods into the country. To prevent this contraband trade 9. coast-guards 10 are found all_jlongjkbe cqast^ which have to keep a sharp look-out for smugglers trying to land their cargoes On the coast of Dorsetshire, smuggling u s e d t o b e c a rried on 12 to a great extent13. A chief of f icer14 of the coast guard was riding out one day, on the look-out for • contraband goods. On turning a corner in the road along which he was going, he met a man carrying on his shoulder a good-sized keg18 of spirits. "Hullo, my man, what's 1 achting- 9 smokkelhandel 2 knop 10 kustwachten 3 afvloeien 11 lading-en 4 stamelde 12 placht gedreven te worden 5 de invoerrechten ontduiken 13 schaal 6 geheven 14 commandant , 7 sterke drank 15 tamelijk groot vat 8 belaste 65 this?" cried the officer. The man at first looked doubtful for a moment, but recovering his presence of mind, he said: "You are the chief officer, I suppose?" On receiving an affirmative answer, he continued: "The lieutenant gave me this keg, which he found this morning, and told me to take it to you directly. I am glad I have met you, as the day is hot, and the keg heavy to carry." He then made, as if 1 he were going to put down the burden 2. The officer, looking quite indignant3. exclaimed: "You know quite well I can't take it." "But you are on horseback, and can carry it better than I can; I am so tired," replied the smuggler. On this, the officer handed the man a shilling, and told hira to carry the keg to the coast-guard station. They parted 4; but during the day the officer w as. vex e d to discov e r_5 that he had given a smuggler a shilling to carry off to its hidingplace a keg of contraband spirits. 15. THE STOCKBROKER'S CLERK. One day Sherlock Hólmes and I were visited by a young fellow, who came to take the great detective's advice, and told us the following story. "I used to have a MUetJf at Coxon and Woodhouse's, of Drapers' Gardens, but they were lot in7 early in the spring through the Venezuelan loan8. as no doubt you remember, and ca, me a tna styt jg r op je r9. I had been with them five years, and old Coxon gave me a ripping 10 good testimonial11, when the smash 12 came; but, of cour se, 1 deed alsor 7 nepen er ln / 2 last 8 leening 3 verontwaardigd 9 gingen leelijk over den kop 4 gingen van elkaar 10 verduiveld 5 ontdekte tot zijn ergernis 11 getuigschrift 6 baantje 12 krach 66 we clerks were all turned adrift1. the twenty-seven of us. I tried here and tried there, but there were lots of other chaps on the, sa mie lay2 as myself, and it was a perfect frost^3 for a long time. I had been eaming three pounds a week at Coxon's, and I had saved about seventy of them, but I soon worked my way through that and out at the other end. I was fairly at the end of my t e t h er 4 at last, and could hardly find the stamps 8 to answer the advertisements, or the envelopes tp^gMpk^6 them to. I had worn out my boots padding up 7 office stairs, and I seemed just as far from getting a billet as ever. "At last I saw a vacancy8 at-Mawson and Williams', the great stockbroking firm in Lombard Street. I daresay E.C. is not much in jour line9. but I can teil you that this is about the richest house in London. The advertisement was to be answered by letter only. I sent in my testimonial and application10, but without the least hope of getting it. Back came an answer by return, saying that if I would appear next Monday I might take over my new duties at once, provided that my appearance 11 was satisfactory. No one knows how these things are worked12. Some people say the manager 13 just plunges his hand into the heap and takes the first letter of application that comes. Anyhow, it wag„ my innings 14 that time, and I don't ever wish to feel better pleased. The salary was a pound a week rise15, and the dutjes 18 just about the same as at Coxon's. "And now I come to the queer17 part of the business. That very evening after I had been promised the appoint- 1 op straat gezet 10 sollicitatie 2 die 't zelfde plan hadden 11 voorkomen 3 mislukking _ 12 hoe het toegaat met 4 vrijwel blut 13 chef 5 postzegels 14 beurt 6 plakken 15 met verhoogingen 7 opsjouwen 16 werkzaamheden 8 vacature [raking met 17 zonderling 9 U komt niet veel ln aan- I 67 Dient1, my landlady 2 came up with a card which had 'Arthur Pinner, financial agent,' printed3 upon it. I had never heard the name before, but of course I asked her to show him u p4. In he walked—a middle-sized, darkhaired, dark-eyed, black-bearded man. " 'Mr. Hall Pycroft, I believe?" said he. " 'Yes, sir,' I answered, and pushed a chair towards him. " 'Lately engaged 5 at Coxon and Woodhouse's?' " 'Yes, sir.' " 'And now on the staf f of6 Mawson's?' " 'Quite so.' * " 'Well,' said he. 'The fact is that I have heard some really extraordinary stories about your financial ability 7. You remember Parker who used to be Coxon's manager? He can never say enough about it.' "Of course I was pleased to hear this. I had always been pretty smart8 in the office, but I had never dreamed that I was talked about in the City in this fashion. " 'You have a good memory?' said he. , " 'Pretty fair,' I answered, modestly 9. " 'Have you k e p t in touch 10 withjhe market while you have been out of work?' he asked. " 'Yes; I read the Stock Exchange List11 every morning.' " 'Now, that shows real apphcation12!' he cried. 'That is the way to prpsper13! You won't mind my testing 14 you, will you? Let me see! How are Ayrshires?' " 'One hundred and five to one hundred and five and a quarter,' I answered. 1 Benoeming- s vlug, bij de hand 2 hospita 9 bescheiden 3 gedrukt 10 zlcn op ae hoogte houden 4 boven te laten komen 11 beursnoteeringen 5 werkzaam bij 12 ijver 6 " » 13 vooruitkomen 7 bekwaamheid «.f.. 14 op de proef stellen 68 " 'And New Zealand Consolidated?' " 'A hundred and four.' " 'And British Broken Hills?' " 'Seven to se ven and six.' "'Wonderful!' he cried, with his hands up. "This quite fits in1 with all that I had heard. My boy, my boy, you are very much too good to be a clerk at Mawson's!' "This outburst rather astonished me, as you can think. 'Well,' said I, 'other people don't think quite so much of me as you seem to do, Mr. Pinner. I had a hard enough fight to get this berth2. and I am very glad to have it.' " 'Pooh, man, you are not in your true sjshere.3 there. Now, I'll teil you how it stands with me. What I have to offer is little enough when measured by your ability, but when compared with Mawson's it is light to dark. Let me see! When do you go to Mawson's?' " 'On Monday.' " 'Ha! ha! I think I would bet that you don't go there at all.' " 'Not go to Mawson's?' " 'No, sir. By that day you will be the business manager of the Pranco-Midland Hardware4 Company Limited, with one hundred and thirty-four branches in the towns and villages of Prance, not cpjmjtjgg/ one in Brussels and one in San Bemo.' "This took my breath away. 'I never heard of it,' said I. " 'Very likely not. It has been kept very quiët, for the capital was all private 1 y su b scribed6, and it is too good a thing to let the public into. My brother, Harry Pinner, is promoter7, and j o i n s t h e b o a r d 8 after 1 stemt overeen I 5 meegerekend 2 betrekking 6 onderbands inteekenen 3 werkkring, element 7 promotor 4 Ijzerwaren 8 komt in bet bestuur 69 allotment1 as managing d ireet or2. He asked me to piek up a good man cheap here—a young, pushing 3 man with plenty of snap * about him. Parker spoke of you, and that brought me here to-night. We can only offer you a bcggarly s five hundred to start with ' "'Five hundred a year!' I shouted. " 'Only that at the beginning, but you are to have ai commission of 1 per cent. on all business done by your agents, and you may take my word for it that this will come to more than your salary.' " 'But I know nothing about hardware.' " 'Tut, my boy, you know about figures.' "My head buzzed 8, and I could hardly sit still in the chair. But suddenly a little doubt came over me. " 'I must be frank 7 with you,' said I. 'Mawson only gives me twö hundred, but Mawson is safe. Now, really, I know so little about your company that ' " 'Ah, smart, smart!' he cried. 'Now, here's a note for a hundred pounds; and if you think that we can do business, you may just glip it into jour pocket as an advance 8 upon your salary.' " 'That is very handsome,' said I. 'When should I take over my new duties?' " 'Be in Birmingham to-morrow at one,' said he. 'I have a note in my pocket here which you will take to my brother. You will find himj at 126b, Corporation Street, where the temporary 9 offices of tbe Company are situated. Of course he must confirm 10 your engagement11, but b e t| w e e nj ourselyes12 it will be all right.' 1 toewijzing- der aandeelen 7 openhartig 2 directeur s voorschot 3 actief 9 tijdelijke 4 energie, fut 10 bevestigen 5 schrale, armzalige H indienstneming 6 bonsde 12 onder ons gezegd 70 " 'Really, I hardly know how td express my gratótudej, Mr. Pinner,' said I. " 'Not at all, my boy. You have only got your deserts8. There are one or two small things—mere formalities—which I tmust arrange3 with you. You have a bit of paper besideftft^ you there. Kindly write upon it, "I am peffectly. willing to act as business manager to the Franco-Midland Hardware Company, Limited, at a minimum salary of £ 500.'" "I did as he asked, and he put the paper in_ his pocket. " 'There is one other detail,' said he. 'What do you intend to do about Mawson's?' "I had forgotten all about Mawson's in my joy. " TH write and re sign V said I. " 'Precisely what I don't want you to do. I had a row 5 _ over you with Mawson's manager. I had gone up to ask him about you, and he was very of fensive'—accused me of coaxing 7 you away from the service of the firm, and that sort of thing. At last I 1ost my temper8. "If you want good men you should pay them a good price" said I. "He would rather have our small price than your big one," said he. 'TH lay9 you a fiver10," said I, "that when he has my offer you will never so much as'hear from him again." "Done11!" said he. "We picked him out of the gutter12, and he won't leave us so easüy." Those were his very words.' "'The impudent scoundr el 13!' I cried. "I've never so much as seen him in my life. Why should I consider14 him in any way ? I shall certainly not write, if you would rather that I didn't.' 1 dankbaarheid 8 werd boos 2 wat ie verdient 9 wedden om 3 afspreken, regelen 10 5 pond 4 ontslag- nemen 11 aangenomen 5 ruzie 12 straatgoot 6 beleedigend 13 brutale schurk 7 lokken 14 ontzien 71 " 'GpodJ That's a promise!' said he, rising from his chair. Here is your advance of a hundred pounds, and here is the letter. Good night.' "That's just about all that passed 1 between us, as near as I can remember it. You can imagine, gentlemen, how pleased I was at such an extra-ordinary bit of good fortune. Next day I was off to Birmingham in a train that would take- me in plenty of time for my appointment2. I took my things to an hotel in New Street, and thenI made my way tq the address which had been given mje. "It was a quarter of an hour before my time, but I thought that would make no difference. 1266 was a passage 3 between two large shops which led to a winding stone stair, from which there were many flats4, let as offices to companies or professional men5. The names of the occupants6 were painted up at the bottom on the wall, but there was no such name as the Franco-Midland Hardware Company, Limited. I stood for a few minutes with my heart in my boots, wondering whether the whole thing was a hoax 7 or not, when up came a man and addressed me. He was very like the chapj that I had seen the night before, the same figure and voice, but he was clean shaven and his hair was lighter. " 'Are you Mr. Hall Pycroft?' he asked. " 'Yes,' said I. 'I was just looking for the offices when you came.' " 'We have not got our name up yet, for we only secured 9 these temporary premises10 last week. Come up with me and we will talk the matter over.' "I followed him to the top of a very lofty" stair, and 1 voorviel 7 heetnemertj 2 afspraak 8 vent 3 sans 9 huurden 4 et&%es 10 pand, lokaliteit 5 advokaten, enz. u b00ge 6 huurders 72 there right under the slates 1 were a couple of empty an dusty2 little rooms, uncaxpeted and uncurtained. I ha thought of a great office with shining 3 tables and rows 4 c clerks, and I daresay I stared rather surprised at the tw deal5 chairs and one üttle table, which, with a ledger and a waste-paper 'basket, made up the whole furniture'' " 'Don't be dlsheartèned8, Mr. Pycroft,' said my ne) acquaintance, seeing the length of my face, 'Rome was nc built in a day, and we have lots of money at our backs' though we don't cut much da Bh 10 yet in offices. Pra sit down and let me have your letter.' "I gave it to him, and he read it over very carefully. " 'You seem to have made a good impression 11 upon m brother Arthur,' said he, 'and I shall follow his advice. Pra consider yourself d e f ini t ely e nj?» g e.d ia.' " 'What are my duties?' I asked. " 'You will eventually 13 manage the great depót in Paris which will pour14 a f lood 15 of English crockery 16 into th shops of one hundred and thirty-four agents in France. Th purchase will be completed in a week, and meanwhile yo will remain in Birmingham, and make yourself useful.' " 'How?' "For answer he took a big red book out of a drawer_17 'This is a directory 18 of Paris,' said he, 'with the trades 1 after the names of the people. I want you to take it hom with you, and to , m ar k off20 all the hardware 21 seller 1 dak (leien), hanebalken l 12 voor goed aangesteld 2 stoffige 13 ten slotte 3 gladde, glimmende 14 gieten, uitstorten 4 rijen 15 stroom 5 vurenhouten 16 aardewerk 6 grootboek 17 lade 7 meubilair 18 adresboek 8 ontmoedigd 19 beroepen 9 tot onze beschikking 20 aanstreepen, noteeren 10 bluf slaan 21 Ijzerwaren 11 Indruk 73 with their addresses. It would be of the greatest us to me ;, to have them.' " 'Surely there are classified lists?' I suggested. " 'Not reliable 1 ones. Their system is different to oure. Let me have the lists by Monday, at twelve. Good day, Mr. Pycroft; if you continue to show zeal2 and intelligence, you will find the company a good master.' "I went back to the hotel with the big book under my arm, and with very conf licting3 feelings in my breast4. 0nx the one hand I was definitely engaged, and had a hundred pounds in my pocket. On the other, the look of the offices, the absence of a name-plate on the wall, and other points which would strike * a business man had left a bad impression as to the position6 of my employers7. However ,come what might, I had my money, so I s e 111 e d dp w n 8 to my task. All Sunday I was kept hard at work, and yet by Monday I had only got as far as H. I went r™ft.9..ai1-^teLfl, my employer, and was told to keep at it until Wednesday, and then come again. On Wednesday, it was still unfinished, so I hammered away 10 until Friday—that is, yesterday. Then I brought it round to Mr. Harry Pinner. " 'Thank you very much,' said he. 'I fear that I underrated 11 the difficulty of the task. This list will be of very material12 assistance to me.' " 'It took some time,' said I. " 'And now,' said he, 'I want you to make a list of the furniture shops, for they all sell crockery.' " 'Very good.' " 'And you can come up to-morrow evening at seven, and 1 betrouwbare 7 patroons 2 ijver 8 ging 3 tegenstrijdige 9 zocht op * borst 10 werkte hard door 5 treffen, opvallen 11 onderschatte 6 stand, soliditeit 12 groote 74 let me know how you are getting on. Don't overwork yourself. A couple of hours at Day's Music-Hall in the evening would do you no harm after your labours1.' He laughed as he spoke, and I saw with a thrill2 that his second tooth upon the left-hand side had been very badly stuffed 3 with gold." Sherlock Holmes and I stared in astonishment at our cliënt. "You may well look surprised, gentlemen, but it is this way," said he. "When I was speaking to the other chap ln London at the time that he laughed at my not going to Mawson's, I happened to notice that this tooth was stuffed in this very identical4 fashion. The glint_5 of the gold in each case caught my eye, you see. When I put6 that with the voice and figure being the same, and only those things altered which might be changed by a razOr or a wig7, I could not doubt that it was the same man. He bowed me out and I found myself in the street, hardly knowing whether I was on my head or my heels. Back I went to my hotel, put my head in a basin 8 of cold water, and tried to think it out. Why had he sent me from London to Birmingham; why had he got there before me; and why had he writteu a letter from himself to himself? It was altogether too much for me, and I could make no sense of it. And then suddenly it struck me that what was dark to me might be very light to Mr. Sherlock Holmes. I had just time to get up to town by the night train, to see you this morning, and to bring you back with me to Birmingham." There was a pause, after the stockbroker's clerk had concluded his surprising experience. Then Sherlock Holmes looked at me, and said: "*I think an interview with 1 hard werk 5 schittering; 2 rilling 6 in verhand bracht 3 gevuld 7 pruik 4 zelfde g kom 75 Mr. Arthur Henry Pinner in the temporary offices of the Franco-Midland Hardware Company, Limited, would be a iather interesting experience for both of us." "But how can we do it?" I asked. "Oh, easily enough," said Hall Pycroft, cheerily 1. "You are two friends of mine who are in want of a billet, and what could be more natural than that I should bring you both round to the managing director?" "Quite so! Of course!" said Holmes. At seven o'clock that evening we were walking, the three of us, down Corporation Street to the company's offices. "It is of no use our being at all before our time," said our cliënt2. "He only comes there to see me apparently3, for the place is deserted 4 up to the very hour he names." "That is suggestive 5," remarked Holmes. "By Jove, I told you so!" cried the clerk. "That's he walking ahead of us there." He pointed to a smalhsh 6, blonde, well-dressed man, who was bustling 7 along the other side of the road, buying the latest edition of the evening paper, and then vanishing 8 through a doorway. "There he goes!" cried Hall Pycroft. "Those are the company's offices into which he has gone. Come with me." Following his lead we ascended 9 five stories^0, until we found ourselves outside a half-opened door, at which our cliënt tapped 11. When we entered, the man whom we had seen in the street, was sitting with his evening paper spread out in front of him. His brow glistened 12 with perspiration, his cheeks were deadly white, and his eyes were wild and staring. 1 opgewekt 7 zich spoedende 2 cliënt 8 verdwijnende 3 blijkbaar 9 beklommen 4 verlaten 10 verdiepingen 5 geeft te denken 11 klopte 6 tamelijk klein 12 glom 76 "You look ill, Mr. Pinner," his clerk exclaimed. "Yes, I am not very well," answered the other, lickingf his dry lips before he spoke. "Who are these gentlemen whom you have brought with you?" "One is Mr. Harris, of Bermondsey, and the other is Mr. Price, of this town," said our clerk, glibly. "They are*] friends of mine, and gentlemen of experience *, but° they have been out _o_f_ a p 1 a c e 2 for some little time, and they hoped that perhaps you might find an opening for them in the company's employment." "Very possibly! Very possibly!" cried Mr. Pinner, with a ghastly smile. "Yes, I have no doubt that we shall be able to do something for you. What is your p a r t i c n 1 a r Hnes, Mr. Harris?" "I am an accountant," said Holmes. "Ah, yes, we shall want something of the sort. And you, Mr. Price?' "A clerk," said I. "I have every hope that the company may engage 4 you. "You may wait here a moment," he continued, "and there is no reason why your friend3 should not wait with you." He rose with a very conrteous 5 air, and bowing to us he passed cut through a door at the further end of the room, which he closed behind him. "What now?" whispered Holmes. "Is ha giving us the slip6?" "Impossible," answered Pycroft, "for ." His words were interrupted 7 by a sharp rat-tat from the direction of the inner door. Holmes sprang swiftly 8 across the room, pushed it open, 1 ervaren | 5 beleefd 2 zonder betrekking- 6 ontsnapt bij ons 3 speciaal vak 7 afgebroken 4 in dienst nemen 8 vlug 77 and from a hook1 behind the door, with his own braces2 round his neck, was hanging the managing directer of the Sranco-Midland Hardware Company. In an instant we cut him loose and carried him into the other room. "It has been touch and go3 with him," said I, "but he'11 live." "I suppose we ought to call the police in now," Holmes said "and yet I confess 4 that I like to give them a complete case when they come." "It's a great mystery to me," cried Pycroft, scratching 5 his head. "Pooh ! All that is clear enpugh," said Holmes, impatiently. "The whole thing hinges upon6 two points. The first is the making of Pycroft write a declaration by which he entered the service of this preposterous7 company. Don't you see, my young friend, that they were very anxious to obtain a specimen 8 of your handwriting, and had no other way of doing it?" "And why?" "Quite so. Why? There can be only one adequate9 reason. Someone wanted to learn to imitate your writing, and had to procure a specimen of it first. And now if we pass on to the second point, we find that each throws light upon the other. That point is thexrequest made by Pinner that you should not resign your pla_ce_10, ^ut should leave the manager of this important business in the full expectation that a Mr. Hall Pycroft, whom he had never seen, was about to enter the office upon the Monday morning." "My God," cried our cliënt, "what a blind beetle11 I have been!" 1 naak I 6 draait om 2 bretels 7 dwaze, belachelijke 3 niet veel gescheeld, op 't 8 voorbeeld kantje at 9 voldoende 4 bekennen 10 ontslag- nemen 5 krabbende 11 kever Jansonius, Handelsleesboek. 6 78 "Now you see the point about the handwriting. Suppose that someone turned up in your place who wrote a completely different hand from that in which you had applied 1 for the vacancy, of course the game would have been u y2. But in the interval the rogue 3 learnt to imitate you, and his position was therefore secure 4, as I preteume that nobody in the office had ever set eyes upon you?" "Not a soul 5," said Hall Pycroft. "Very good. Of course, it was of the utmcst importance to prevent6 you from t h i nk ing better o f it7, and also to keep you from coming into contact with anyone who might teil you that your doublé 8 was at work in Mawson's office. Therefore, they gave you a,^ham|BCjne could not find you an employer without admitting 13 a third person hjjöJnjs^r^t14. That he was most unwilling to do. He changed his appearance as far .as he could, and trusted that the likeness, which you could not.„^iLjto ófeseryêj would be put down to a fajnijxJC|s§mMance1S. But for the happy chance of the gold stuff ing, your 1 gesolliciteerd 9 wegsturen 2 mislukt 10 de zaak doen mislukken 3 schurk 11 beweren 4 veilig 12 voorstellen 5 sterveling 13 op te nemen 6 verhinderen 14 complot 7 van gedachte veranderen 15 gelijkenis 8 dubbelganger 79 suspicions1 would probably have never been roused2." "We must at once wire to Mawson's," Holmes continued. "They shut at twelye on Saturdays." "Never mind; there may be a caretaker3 or " "Ah, yes; they teep_a:!^p_e..r„m a iLe.njfc_ g u axd.4 there on account of the value of the secnrities5 that they hpld. I remember hearing it talked of in the City." "Very good, we shall wire to him, and see if all is well, and if a clerk of your name is working there. That is clear enough, but what is not so clear is why at sight of us one of the rogues should instantly walk out of the room and hang himself." "The paper!" croaked 6 a voice behind us. The man was sitting up, blanched7 and ghastly, and with returning reaspn8 in his eyes. "The paper! Of course!" cried Holmes, excitedly. "Idiot that I was! To be sure, the secret miust lie there.' ' "Look at this, Watson!" he cried. "It is a London paper, an early edition of the Evening Standard. Here is what we want." The account of the event ran in this way: — "A desperate9 attempt at robbery occnrred 10 this afternoon in the City. For some time back Mawson and Williams, the famous financial house, have been the guardjajis 11 of securities which ampunt_inAhJë~&,g£Z&g..aje 12 to a sum of wnsidergbly over a ..m^hbn^stjarling. So cpnscious 13 was the manager of the responsibility which devolved 14 upon him in consequence of the great interests at stake15. that 'SÊëSi,6 ofjihe .very latest constrnctipn have been employed, 1 acnterdocht 9 wanhopig-, brutaal 2 opwekken 10 vond plaats 3 hulsbewaarder li bewaarder 4 vaste waker 12 totaal 5 g-eldswaardlg- papier 13 doordrongen 6 kraakte 14 rustte 7 doodsbleek 15 op 't spel staande 8 rede, verstand 16 brandkasten 80 and an armed wajjchjnjtn 1 has been left day and night m the building. It appears that last week a new clerk, named Hall Pycroft, was ej^aged„bxJ^&.,ftn3i,., This person appears to have been none other than Beddington, the famous forgerf, who, with his brother, has only recently been released3 from a five years' period of p e n a \ s e r v i t.u d e 4- By some means, which are not yet clear, he succeeded in obtaining, under a false name, this official position in the office, which he litilized5 in order to obtain mouldings6 of various locks, and a thorough knowledge of the position of the s t r o n g rog m 7 and the safes. It is cnstomary at Mawson's for the clerks to leave at midda^on^S^urday. Sergeant Tuson, of the City Police, was somewhat surprised therefore to see a gentleman with a c a r p et ba g 8 come down the steps 9 at twenty minutes X past one. His suspicions being aroused, the sergeant folio wed the man, and with the aid of Constable 10 Pollock succeeded, after ajpost desper at e res i s t,ance", in arresting Shim. It was at once clear that a^d^arn^^2^bj^ery had been committed. Nearly a hundred thousand pounds' worth of American railway bonds 13, with a large amount of scrjuj^ in other companies and mines, were discovered in the bag, while on examining the premises the dead body of the unfortunate watchman was found. There could be no^^ubj^hjat Beddington had obtamed. entrance15 by pretending that he had left something behind hun and having murdered the watchman, rapidly rifled 16 1 waker 8 stoep 2 falsaris 10 ag-ent 3 ontslag-en 11 wanhopige tegenstand 4 dwangarbeid 12 brutale 5 benutte 13 obligatie's C afdrukken 14 recepissen 7 kluis 15 toegang 8 handtasch I 16 leeggestolen . and then made off i tv 8] the large safe, and then made off with his bóotyï. His brother, who usually works with him, has not appeared in this job, so far as can at present be ascertained2, although the police are making energetic inquiries as to his whereabonts V' "Well, we maj_ save the police some little trouble in that dn;ection4," said Holmes, glancing at the figure lLy.,ddledr,up5 by the window. "The doctor and I will rsmain on guard, Mr. Pycroft, if you will have the kindness ^J&^Stèi&JSi&MlP police." A. Gonan Doyle. (The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes). 17. SHOPS AND THEIR TENANTS. What mexhanstible e food for speculation 7 do the streets of London aifprdj1! We never were able to agree with Sterne in pitying the man who could travel from Dan to Beersheba, and say that all was bjxrejj9; we have not the BÜgfo££SjÜ2&r^ 10 for the man who can take up his hat and stick, and walk from Covent Garden to St. Paul's Churchyard, and back into the bargain11. without iêrixing 12 some amusement — we had almost said instruction — from his perambulatipn 13. And yet there are such beings: we meet them every day. Large black stocks 14 and light waistcoats, capes15 and discontented countenances, are the characteristics of the raceOther people brush 1 * Dult 9 onvruchtbaar, dor land 2 nagegaan 10 medelijden 3 verblijfplaats U 0p den koop toe i richting 12 putten 5 ineengedoken 13 rondwandeling 6 onuitputtelijk 14 stropdassen 7 bespiegeling 15 wandelstokken 8 verschaffen, aanbieden 16 ras 82 quickly by you, steadily ploddjag 1 on to business, or cheerfully running ...site pleasure. These men linger3 listlessly past, looking as happy and animated as a ppliceman on duty. Nothing seems to make an impression on their minds: r^hmg^ short, of ^ knocked down by a porter3, or run over by a cab, will disfcnxJb their equanimity *. One of our principal amusements is to watch the gradual 5 progress — the jise .or_£aJJ — of particular shops. We have formed an intimate acquaintance with several, in different I parts of town, and are perfectly acquainted with their whole history. We could name o f f-h and6, twenty at least, which we_ _a_re quite sure_ have paid no_ taxes 7 for__the last six years. They are never inhabited for more than two months coDsecutively 8, and, we verjfl^^belieye. have witnessed every r ejb a i 1 trade9 in the directory 10. There is one, whose history is a sjprple 11 of the rest, in whosei fate12 we have taken special interest, having had the pleasure of knowing it ever since it has been a shop. It is on the Surrey side of the river — a little distance beyond the Marsh-gate. It was orijrinally a substantial13. goodlooking private 14 house; but the landlord 15 got into difficulties, the tenant16 went away, and the house went to ruin. At this period our acquaintance with it oommenced: the paint17 was all wom^ofj; the windows were broken, the area^18 was green wjth, neglect and the joverflowings of the water-butt19; the butt itself was without a lid20, and the street-door was the very picture i pf misery. The 1 ploeteren 11 voorbeeld 2 slenteren 12 lot 3 kruier 13 aanzienlijk 4 gelijkmoedigheid 14 gesloten 5 geleidelijk 15 huisheer 6 voor de vuist 16 huurder 7 belastingen 17 verf 8 aaneen 18 ruimte vóór 't sousterrain 9 kleinhandel 19 ton 10 adresboek 20 deksel 83 chief pastime1 of the children in the vicinity 2 had been to assemble in a body3 on the steps, and take it in turn to knock loud doublé knocks at the door, to the great satisfaction of the neighbours generally, and especially of j the nervous old lady next doo^r bjit o,ne 4. Numerous complaints were made, and several small bagigsj^ofnwater discharged over the of f enders 6, but without effect. In this state of things, the marine-store dealer7 at the corner of the street, in the most obliging manner, took the knocker8 off, and sold it: and the unfortunate house looked more wre^cJied9 than ever. We deserted^10 our friend for a few weeks. What was our surprise, on our return, to find no tracé 11 of its existence! In its place was a handsome shop, fast approaching to a state of completion 12. and on the shutters13 were large bills14. informing the public that it would shortly be opened with "an exjfinsjye 15 stock of 1 in en-dr aper y 18 and haberd^shery 17." It opened in due course; there was the name of the proprjetor18 "and Co." in gilt19 letters, almost too dagzljng20 to look at. Such ribbons 21 and shawls ! and two such elegant young men behind the counter, each in a clean coUar22 and white tie. As to the proprietor, he did nothing but walk up and down the shop, and hand Beats-*3 to the ladies, and hold important conversations with the handsomer of the young men, who was suspected by the 1 tljdverdrijr 13 mU£en 2 buurt 14 biljetten 3 gezamenlijk 15 uitgebreid 4 2 deuren verder 16 witte goederen 5 . kommen 17 saren en band 6 boosdoeners 18 eigenaar 7 uitdrager 19 vergulde 8 klopper 20 schitterend 9 ellendig 21 linten 10 verlieten 22 boord 11 spoor 23 stoelen 12 voltooiing 84 neighbours to be the "Co." We saw all this with sorrow; we feit a fatal presentirnent1 that the shop was dopmed2 and so it was. Its decay3 was" slow, but sure. Tickets4 gradually appeared in the windows; then rolls of flannel, with laj^ejj5 on them, were stuck.outside the door; then a bill was pasted6 on the street-door, ij^ijmatingr that the first floor was to 1 et8 imfurnished; then one of the young men disjappeared altogether, and the other took to9 a black neckerchief10. and the proprietor took to drinking. The shop became dirty, broken panes11 of glass remained unmended.12, and the stock disappeared piecemeal18. At last the COTU£ariy_'sJ*_mman came tö cut off the water, and, then the linen-draper c u t jp f if h j m' a e hf 15. leaving the landlord his compliments and the key. The next occupant18 was a stationer17. The shop was more modestly painted than before, still it was. neat; but somehow we always thought, as we passed, that it looked like a poor and st r n g g 1 i n g co neer n *8. We wishjd.. the man WisJLJbut we trembled1' for his success. He was a widower evidently, and had employment ejjwwheref0, for he passed_juys every morning on his way to the City. The business was P&rried -jpfr'** by his eldest daughter. Poor girl! she needed no assistance. We ocoasionally22 cajsx&JL^a^lij^ of two or three children, in. ffioaïKag 24 like hjrselJL as they sat in the little parlour28 1 voorgevoel , 14 van de waterleiding 2 ten ondergang gedoemd 15 verdween zelf 3 achteruitgang 16 bewoner, huurder 4 kaartjes 17 handelaar ln schrijfbehoeften 5 etiketten 18 worstelende, niet bloeiende 6 geplakt zaak 7 meedeelende 19 teerden 8 te huur 20 elders 9 ging dragen 21 gedreven 10 halsdoek 03 soms 11 ruiten 23 zagen vluchtig 12 niet hersteld 24 rouw 13 stuk voor stuk I 25 kamer 85 behind the shop; and we never passed at_night without seeing the eldest girl at work. We continued to watch the shop, and every day it showed too clearly the increasing poverty of its inmates1. The children were clean, it is true, but their clothes were threadJbare2 and shabbj,3; no tenant had been procured for the WSëfSMi. of the house, from the letting of which a portion °f the rent 4 was to have been derjyed 5, and a slow, w a sting conaumption6 prevented the eldest girl from continuing her work. Qnarterrday7 arriyed. The landlord had suffered a löss through his last tenant, and he had no compassion8 for the struggles of his successor; he put in ^^.e^jc^ujioju9. As we passed one morning, some men were remoying^,, the little furniture there was in the house, and a newly-p o s t e d 11 bill informed us it was again "To I Let." What became of the last tenant we never could learn: we believe the girl is past all suffering, and beyond.jill ' sorrow. God help her! We hope she is. We were somewhat curious 12 to know what would be the next stage13, for that the place had no chance14 of succeeding now, was perfectly clear. The bill was soon taken down, and some alterations 15 were being made in theinterior of the shop. We were in__aLfejL6 jL,o.L.e x,p e c t a t i o n 18; we imagined all possible trades, none of which were perfectly rej^dlable^^ our idea of the gradual decay of the tenement.18. It opened, and we wondered why we had not guessed the real state of the case before. The shop — 1 bewoner , 10 vervoerden 2 kaal 11 aangeplakte 3 tfrmoedig 12 benieuwd * nuur 13 periode, faze 5 verkrljg-en 14 kans 6 verterende tering- 15 veranderingen 7 eerste dag van bet .nieuwe 16 vol koortsachtige verwachting kwartaal 17 vereenigbaar 8 medelijden 18 nuls> nuurnuis 9 liet de boel gerecht, verkpopen „r- .. 86 not a large one at the best of times — had been converted 1 into two: one was a bonnet-maker' s2, the other was opened by a tobacconist, who also dealt in walking-sticks and Sunday newspapers; the two were separated by a thin partition 3. covered with tawdry, striped ! paper. The tobacconist remained in possession longer than any tenant within our recollection. He was a red-faced, impuSSS*3 good-fpr-nothing dog, evidently accnstomed to take things as they came, and to make Lt h e^e.g.t Tp,f a b a d * LoJL8- He, sold as many cigars as he could, and smoked the rest. He occupied the shop as long as he could m ake peace7 with the landlord, and when he could no longer livé in quiet, he very coolly locked the door., and bolted 8. From this period, the two little dgns 9 have undergone innumerable changes. The tobacconist was succeeded by & thea.irical hai*-'-: 4,O.,§.SjerJ0. The bonnet-maker gave place to a greengrocer, and the barber was succeeded, in his turn11, by a tailor. Sojaumerous have been the changes, that we have °J J&jedone little more than mark the pecnliar 12 but certain indications of a house being poorly inhabited. It has been progressing by almost imperceptible13 degrees. The occupiers of the shops have gradually given up room after room, until they have only reserved the little parlour for themselves. First there appeared a brasj.14 plate on the ^ private door, with "Ladies' School" legibly15 engraved thjgreanj shortly afterwards we observed a second brass plate, then a bell, and then another bell. When we paused in front of our old friend, and observed 1 veranderd 9 noien 2 hoedenmaakster 10 tooneelkapper 3 schot li Deurt * opzichtig-, gestreept 12 eigenaardig 5 brutaal 13 onmerkbaar 6 zich er door te slaan 14 koperen 7 vrede houden 15 leesbaar 8 ging er van door 87 these signs of poverty, which are not to be mistaken, we thought, as we turned away, that the house had Jtttained its lowest pitch.1 of degrjtdjttipn2. We were wrong. When we last passed it, a "dairy" 3 was established in the area 4, and a party of melancholy-looking fowls8 were amusing themselves by running in at the front door, and out at the back one. Charles Dickens. (Sketches by Boz). 18. HAEBIS'S OPINION ABOUT BANKS. My two friends Harris and George and myself hadagreed last summer that we should spend our fortnight's holiday in making_a trip by boat up the Thames from London to Oxford. We had arrjföged to start on the following^gaturday from Kingston. Harris and I wpulfl go down in the morning, and take the boat up to Chertsey. while George, who would npt_.be able to get away from the City tLU„the_^fternoon (George goes to sleep at a bank from ten to four each day, except Saturdays, when they wake him! up and put him outside at two), would meet us there. When, on that Saturday, Harris and I were rowing our beavily packed boat up the river past the little town of Hampton, Harris, who is very fond of visiting churchyards, Eamily-vaults6. and old burial-places in churches, wanted to get out to see a tomb in Hampton Church he had heard of. I reminded him of George, and how we had to get the boat up to Chertsey by five o'clock to meet him, and . then he went for7 George. Why was George toJool abouT " all day, and leave us to lug this old top-heavy barge up the 1 punt 'ShiuL*, I 5 kippen 2 vernedering 6 grafkelder 3 melkwinkel 7 uitvaren tegen S/V/ ■i sousterrain 88 river by ourselves to meet him? Why couldn't George come and do some work? Why couldn't he have got the day pJULi, and come down with us? Bankbe blo we d 2 ! What^goqd^.J^_^§^.at_the_ bank ? "I never see him doing any work there." continued Harris, "whenever I go in. He sits behind a bit of glass all day, trying to look . as if he was doing something. What's the good of a man behind a bit of glass? I have to work for my.iiying.3. Why can't he Work. What use is he there. and what's the good of their banks? They take your money, and then, when you draw a cheque, they send it back smjejurjeji all over4 with 'Np ef f ec ts'. 'B^J,jex..LQ-iLx.a.w..e.x'„5, What's the good of that? That's the sprt, of trigk6 they seryed7 me twice last week. I'm not going to st an d8 it much longer. I shall w.i.t h d r a w m y a e c o u in t9. If he was here, we could go and see that tomb. I don't believe he's at the bank at all. He's 1arki n g ah o u t10 somewhere, that's what he's doing, leaving us to do all the work. I'm going to get out, and have a drink." 19. BENJAMIN PEANKLIN'S AÜTOBIOGEAPHY. * ALJiêR^ears^jd^, I was taken to help my father in his business, which was that of a tallow-chandler 11 and spap-_ boiler 12; a business to which he was not bred 13, but had assumed on his arrival in New England, because he found that his dveing trade,u. being in little request, would 1 een vrije dag- | 7 bakken 2 laat de bank naar de maan 8 verdragen loopen 0 mijn geld terugnemen 3 Kost 10 is aan 't pret maken i geheel beklad tl kaarsenmaker 5 geen fondsen; wend u tot den 12 zeepfabrikant trekker 13 opgebracht 6 poets 14 ververij * 1706—1790. American printer, writer and patriot. Signed the Declaration or Independence. Twlce envoy to England, once to France. President of Congress. Inventor of lightning conductor. 89 not maintain his family. Accordingly, I was employed in cutting wjcks,1 for the candles, filling the moulds 2 for cast3 candles, attradingj| Jhe. shop, going on errands8. &c. I disliked the trade, and had a_jtroD^,mc.hjna.tion to go to sea; but my father declared against it, But, residing near the water, I was much ia.iL.and on__it. I learned to swim well, and to manage boats; and, when embarked with other boys, I was - cpmmonly allowed to steer, especially in any case of difficulty; and upon other occasions I was generally the leader among the boys, and sometimes led them into scrapes8, of which I will mention one instance, as it shows an early public spirit, though not then justly conducted. There was a salt rnjrshjj which bojrflded..8 partjof Jhe millpond, on the edge of which, at high water, we used to stand to fish for minnows 9. By much trampling 10 we had made i* a^er^a^agmire 11. My proposal was to build a wharf 12 there for us to stand upon, and I showed my comrades a large heap of stones, which were intended for a new house near the marsh, and which would very well suit our purpose. Accordingly in the evening, when the workmen were^ojie hcjne, I assembled a number of my playfellows, and we worked diligently like so many emmets 18, sometimes two or three to a stone, till we brought them all to make our little wharf. The next morning, the workmen were surprjsed at | ©Jisjng tne stones, which had formed our wharf. Inquiry 14 was made after the authprs_ls of this work; we were discovered, complained of, and cprrected..18 by our fathers; and, though I demonstrated17 the utility of our work, 1 pitten \ 10 g-etrappel 2 vormen i 1 modderpoel 3 gegoten 12 kade 4 passen op 13 mieren 5 boodschappen 14 onderzoek 6 moeilijkheden 15 daders 7 moeras 16 gestraft 8 begrensde 17 aantoonde 9 witvisch 90 mine convinced me, that that which was not honest, could not be tralYjisefulv_ I continued employed in my father's business for two years, that is, till I was twelve years old; and, my brother John, who was bred to that business, ha ving left my father married, and s_e t ji p 1 for himself at Rhode Island, there was every appearance that I was djej|Jned_2 to supply3 his place, and become a tallow-chandler. But my dislike to the trade continuing, my father had amwêh^nsipns 4, that, if he did not put me to one more agreeable, I should break loose and go to sea, as my brother Josiah had done, to his great vexation s. In consequence, he took me to walk with him and see joiners6. bricklayers, turners7, &c, at their work, that he might observe my mcjmation 8, and endeavour9 to fix it on some trade or profession that would keep me on land. It has ever since been a pleasure to me to see good workmen handle tfaéir toolsi10. And it has J^ejj. often useful to me, to have learned so much by it, as to be able to do some trifling jobs11 in the house when a workman was not at hand, and to construct little machines for my experiments, at the moment when the intention of making these was warm in my mind. My father determined at last for the cutler's12 trade. and placed me for some days on trial with Samuel, son to my uncle Benjamin, who was bred to that trade in London, and had just established himself in Boston. But the sum he e.]UUi&&,sL,9>£, a f e o . f or MJl.. apprent iceship 13 displeased my father,' and I was taken home again. Fromjgry infancy I was passionately fond of reading, and 1 begonnen s neiging 2 bestemd 9 trachten 3 innemen 10 gereedschap i vrees 11 kleine karweitjes 5 ergernis 12 messenmaker o meubelmakers 13 eischte als honorarium voor 7 draaiers mijn leertijd 91 all the money that came into my hands was 1 aid out' in the pnrchasing of books. This bookish inclinatipn at length determined my father to make me a printer, though he had already one son, James, of that profession. In 1717 my brother James returned from England with a press and letters, to set up his business in Boston. I liked it much better than that of my father, but still had a,hankering 2 foxthe^sca. To prevent the WJ^kgS&êiL^USSk of such an inclination, my father was impatient to^ave me bound 3 to my brother. I s t o o d ojjXt .some time, but at last was persuaded s. and signed the" mdjmture6, when I was vet but twelve vearq pk]. I_w_a.s t^Mlê jn„appr ej8iic.eihjj7 till I was twenty-one years,of age, only I was to be allowed journeyman's 8 waggj during the last year. In a little time I made a great progress in the business, and became a useful hand 9 to my brother. I now had accejBS,i°_tp many books. My acquaintance with the apprentices of booksellers enabled me sometimes to borrow a small one, which I was careful to return soon, and clean. Often I sat up in my room reading the greater part of the night, when the book was borrowed in the evening and to be returned in the morning, lest it should be found missing. When about sixteen years of age, I happened to meet with a_bookJ written by one Tryon, recommending a^ve^etabjej dietl1. I determined to_go into it. My brother, bemg yet unmarned, did not keep house, but boarded12 himself and his apprentices in another family. My refusïng to eat meat °£Sasione!d.13 an inconvenienceand I was frequently 1 besteed I S werkman 2 verlangren 9 3 in de ieer doen 10 toegang- 4 volhouden u leetTegel 5 overgehaald n In Qe kost doen 6 leerling-encontract 13 veroorzaakte 7 mijn leertijd zou duren 14 ong-erief, last 92 chjdj^lor my singularity. I made myself acquainted' with Tryon's marmer of preparing some of his dishes, such as boiling potatoes or rice, making pudding and a few others, and then proposed to my brother, that if he would give me weekly half the money he paid for my board, I would board, myself2. He instantly agreed to it, and I presently found that I could save3 half of what he paid me. This was an &A.J&3XJjl&-&-~'1 fr the buying of books; but I had another advantage in it. My brother and the rest going from the printing-house to their meals, I remained there alone, and, dejpatehing5 presently my light repast6 (which was of ten no more than a biscuit, or a slice of bread, a handful of ralsjinsj, or a tart from' the pastry cook's8, and a glass of water), had the rest of the time, till their return, for study; in which I made the greater progress from that greater clearness) of head which generally attends9 temperance in eating and drinking. My brother had, in 1720 or 1721, begun to print a newspaper. It was the fourth that appeared in America, and was called the New England Courant. I remember his being dissuaded10 by some of his friends from the undertaking, as not likely to succeed, three newspapers being in.Jhejr_ judgment enough for America. At this time, 1771, there are not less than five and twenty. He went on, however, with the undertaking. I was employed to carry the papers to the customers, after having worked in co m pos ing... t h e.. tjLEJ6»?.11» an^ printhig off the sheets12. Though a brother, he considered himself as my master, and me as his apprentice, and accordingly expected the 1 berispt 7 rozijnen 2 zelf zorgen voor den kost 8 banketbakker 3 uitsparen 9 gepaard gaat 4 extra fonds 10 afgeraden 5 snel afdoend ll letterzetten 6 maal ' 12 vellen 93 same services from me as he would from another, while I thought he djgrajïedj^jne too much in some thingB he required of me, who from a brother expected more indolgence8, though he was otherwise not| an ill-natured man; perhaps I was too saijgy,,3 and provokjng 4. When he found I would leave him, he took care to prevent my getting employment5 in any other printinghouse of the town, by going round and speaking to every master, who accordingly refused to give me work. I then thought of going to New York, as the nearegt place where there was a printer. I decided, therefore, to remove there, but my father si ding with6 my brother, I was sensible, that, if I attempted to go openly, means would be used to prevent me. I sold my books tjg^raise^jj^JWtle mojiey, was taken on board a sloop,, priy^telyT, had a fair wind, and in three days found myself at New York, near three hundred miles from my home, at the age of seventeen (October, 1723), without the least recommendation, or knowledge of any person in the place, and very little money in my pocket. The inclination I had had for the sea was by this time done away, or I might now have gratified it8. Bat haVing another profession, and conceiving 9 myself a pretty good workman, I offered my services to a printer of the place, old Mr. William Bradford, who had been the first printer in Pennsylvania, but had removed thence, in consequence of a quarrel with the governor, George Ksith. He could give me no employment, having little to do, and hands enough already; but he said, "My son at Philadelphia has lately lost his principal hand, Aquilla Bose, 1 vernederde 6 partij kiezend voor, die het 2 toegeeflijkheid eens was met 3 brutaal 7 stilletjes 4 tergend 8 er aan toegeven 5 werk 9 verbeeldende Jansonius, Handelsleesboek. 7 94 biJêatfe,;. if you go there, I believe he may employ you." Philadelphia was one hundred miles further; I set out however in a boat for it, leaving my chest and' things to MlSEJBÊ-XQund by sea.. I shall not be particular in my description of this journey, and of my first entry into that city. I was in my working dress, my best clothes coming round by sea. I was dirty from my being so long in the boat. My pockets were stuffed out with shirts and stockings, and I knew no one, nor where to look for lfidgffl^1. Fatigued with walking, rowing, and the want of sleep, I was very hungry; and my whole stockjrfjjash 2 consisted in a single dollar, and about a shilling in copper coin, which I gave to the boatmen for my passage. At first they refused it, on account of my having rowed, but I insisted on their taking it. Man is sometimes more generous when'he has little money, than when he has plenty; perhaps to prevent his being thought to have but little. I passed the night at a cheap but decent 3 hotel. The next morning I dressed myself as neat as I could, and went to Andrew Bradford, the printer's. I found in the shop the old man, his father, whom I had seen at New York, and who, travelling on horseback, had got to Philadelphia before me. He introduced me to his son, who received me civilly 4. gave me a breakfast, but told me he did not at present want a hand, being lately supplied with one; but there was another printer in town, just set up', one Keimer, who perhaps might employ me; if not, I should be welcome to lodge at his house, and he would give me a little work to do now and then, till fuller business should offer. The old gentleman said he would go with me to the new 1 logies | 3 net 2 geld, contanten 4 beleefd 95 printer; and when we found him, "Neighbour," said Bradford, "I have brought to see you a young man of your business; perhaps you may want such a one." He asked me a few questions, put a composing stick1 in my hand to see how I worked, and then said he would employ me soon, though he had just then nothing for me to do. And taking old Bradford, whom he had never seen before, to be one of the town's people that had a good will for him, entered into a conversation on his present undertaking and prospects 2; while Bradford, not discovering 3 that he was the other printer's father, on Keimer's saying he expected soon to get the greater part of the business into his own hands, drew him on 4 by artful 5 questions, and starting little doubts, to explain all his views, what influence' he relied on, and in what manner he intended to proceed. I, who stood by and heard all, saw immediately that one was a craftyj old man, and the other a true novices. Bradford left me with Keimer, who was greatly surprised when I told him-who the old man was. I had a brother-in-law, Eobert Holmes, master of a sloop that traded9 between Boston and Delaware. He being at Newcastle, forty miles below Philadelphia, and hearing ot me, wrote me a letter mentioning the grief of my relations and friends in Boston at my abrupt10 departure, assuring me bf their good will to me, and that eveiything would be accommodated to my mind11. if I would return; to which he entreated12 me earnestly. I wrote an answer to his letter, thanked him for his advice, but stated my reasons for quitting Boston so fully and in such a light, as 1 zethaak 7 sluwe 2 vooruitzichten 8 nieuweling 3 meedeelende 9 voer i uithooren 10 plotseling 5 listige 11 geschikt naar mijn zin 6 steun 12 smeekte 96 to convince him that I was not so much in the wrong as he had a^grehemj^d^. Sir William Keith, Governor of the province, was then at Newcastle, and Captain Holmes, happening to be in company with him, when my letter came to hand, spoke to him of me, and showed him the letter. The governor read it, and seemed surprised when he was told my age. He said I appeared a young man of promising parts2. and therefore should be encouraged; the printers at Philadelphia • were wretched 3 ones; and, if I would set up there, he made no doubt I should succeed; for his part he would procure me *he public business*, and do me every other se.TZ!6§.„hl„hk,^r>gwer. One day he came to our house, and with a poJjtenej8_.X. had been guite unused to. made me many compliments, desired to be acquainted with me, blamed me kindly for not having made myself known to him, when I first came to the place, and proposed my setting up my business. He stated the probabilities of my success, and assured me, I should have his interest and influence to obtain for me the public business of the government. And as I expressed doubts that my father would assist me in it, Sir William said he would give me a letter to him, in which he would set f orth" the advantages, and he did not doubt he should determine 8 him to comply7 With his request. So it was decided I should return to Boston by the first vessel, with the Governor's letter to my father. My father received the Governor's letter with some surprise; but said little of it to me for some time. Captain Holmes returning, he showed it to him, and asked him, if he knew Sir William Keith, and what kind of man he was; 1 gevreesd | 5 uiteenzetten 2 veelbelovend 6 overhalen 3 slecht werk 7 n,wiMgen 4 offlclëele werk 97 adding that he must be of small discreMQB1» to think of setting a youth up in business. Holmes said what he could in favour of the project, but my father was decidedly against it, and at last q a v p a flat d e n i ».ü *. He wrote a civil letter to Sir William, thanking him for the patr nage 3 he had so kindly offered me, and declkdng_* to assist me as yet in setting up, I being in his opinion too young to be trusted with the management of so important an undertaking, and for which the preparation required a considerable expenditnre5. Sir William, when reading his letter on my return, said he was too prudent, that there was a great difference in persons, and discretion did not always accompany years, nor was youth always without it. "But, since he will not set you up, I will do it myself. Give me an inventory6 of the things necessary to be had from England and an estimate7 of their cost, and I will send for them. You shall repay me when you are able; I am resolved to have a good printer here, and I am sure you must succeed." This was spoken with such an appearance of cordiality 8, that I had not the least doubt of his meaning what he said. I had ln^therto.,Jiept the plan of my setting up a secret in Philadelphia, and I still kept it.Had it been known that I depended on the Governor, probably some friend who knew him better would have advised me not to rely on him; as I afterwards heard it as his known character to be liberal of promises, which he never meant to keep. Yet, unsolicited9 as he was_,bj me, how could I think his generous offers insincere10 ? I beheved him one of the best men in the world. 1 verstand 6 Inventaris 2 weigerde ronduit 7 raming 3 bescherming 8 hartelijkheid i weigerende 9 ongevraagd 5 uitgave 10 ongemeend 98 I presented him an inventory of a little printing-house, amounting by my_ ..compntation1 to about one hundred pounds sterling. He liked it, but asked me if my being on the spot in England to choose the types, and see that everything was good of the kind, might not be of some advantage. "Then," said he, "when there, you may make acquaintance, and establish connections in the books e 11 ing 1 in e" 2. I agreed that this might be advantageous. "Then," said he, "get yourself ready to go with the Annis," which was the annual ship, and the only'one at that time usually passing between London and Philadelphia. But as it would be some months before the Annis sailed, I continued working with Eeimer. i The Governor, seeming to like my company, had me frequently at his house, and his setting me up was always mentioned as a fixed **thing. I was to take with me letters of recommendation to a number of his friends, besides a 1 e 11 er o f cr e di t4 to furnish 5 me with the necessary money for purchasing the press, types, paper, &c. Por these letters I was instructed to call at different times, when they were to be ready; but a future time was always named. Thus we went on till the ship, whose departure too had been several times ppstponed 6, was on the point of sailing. Then, when I called to take my leave and receive the letters, his secretary, Dr. Baird, came out to me and said the Governor was extremely busy in writing, but the letters would be delivered to me on board the ship before she sailed. No letters came for me, ho wever, and I began to doubt his sincerity. During the voyage I made the acquaintance of a merchant, called Mr. Denham, and opened 7 the whole af fair to him. He let me into8 Keith's character, told me there was 1 berekening- 5 voorzien 2 boekhandel 6 uitgresteld 3 vaststaand 'sKh&P 7 meedeelen i credietbrief | 8 onthulde mi] 99 not the least probability that he had written any letters for me; that no one, who knew him, had the smallest confidence 1 in him; and he laughed at the idea of the Governor's giving me a letter of credit, having, as he said, no credit to give. On my expressing some concern 3 about what I should do, he advised me to endeavour getting some employment in the way of my business. "Among the printers in London," said he, "you will improve yourself, and, when you return to America, you will set up to greater advantage.'' But what shall we think of a governor playing such pitiful_3 tricks, and imposmg * so grossly5 on a poor ignorant boy 1 It was a habit he had acquired6. He wished to please everybody; and, having little to give, he gave expectations. He was otherwise a sensible man, a pretty good writer, and a good governor for the people. Several of our best laws were of his planning, and passed during his ' adrnmistratjon7. In London, I immediately found work at Palmer's, a famous printing-house in Bartholomew Close, where I continued nearly a year. Then my good friend Mr. Denham, with whom I often spent an hour when I had leisure8, advised me to think of returning to Pennsylvania, which he was also about to do. I must record one tra.it of this good man's character. He had formerly been in business at Bristol, but being in debt to a number of people, comjgunded 9, and went to America. There> bv~^clojgJL^ to 10 business as a merchant, he acquired a plentiful fortune in a few years. Returning to England in the ship with me, he ïnvited his 1 rMr0U,rn 6 aannemen 2 bezorgdheid 7 Desmur 3 jammerlijk 8 vrlJe i bedriegende 9 maakte een accoord o gemeen 10 aoor zlcn tQe {e leggeJj 100 old creditots to an entertainment *, at which he thanked them for the easy cpjnjrosjtiqnj they had favoured him with, and, when they expected nothing but the treat, every man at the first remoye3 found under his plate a cheque on a banker for the full amount of the unpaid remainder 4' with the interest accrned on it. He now told me, he was about to return to Philadelphia, and should carry over a great quantity of goods in order to open a shop there. He proposed to take me as his clerk, to keep his books, in which he would instruct me, copy his letters, and atten4 the shop. He added, that, as soon as I should be ajcajiamted_with ness5, he would projrnjojê,6 me by sending me with a cargo of flour 7 to *he West Indies, and procure me cpmmissions8 from others which would be profitable; and, if I managed well, would establieh me „bandsomely9. The thing pleased me; for I was grown tired oTliondon, remembered with pleasure the happy months I had spent in Pennsylvania, and wished ■again to seei it. . Therefore I immediately agr£g&jOjgU&^^ of fifty pounds a year, Pennsylvania money; less, indeed, than my then present wages10 as a compositor11, but affording12 a better prospect. I now took leave of printing, as I thought, for ever, and was daily employed in my new business, going about with Mr. Denham among the tradesmen • to purchase various articles, and see them packed up, delivering messages, calling upon workmen to despatch 1S, &c. ; and, when all was on board, we sailed from Gravesendon the 23rd of July 1726. 1 gastmaal 8 opdrachten 2 accoord met schulelschers 9 ln een rilnke zaak zetten 3 gang- 10 l»on 4 saldo 11 zetter 5 handelszaken 12 biedende 6 bevorderen 13 verzenden 7 meel 101 We landed at Philadelphia on the llth of October, where [ found Bundry1 alterations. Keith was no longer governor, 3eing sjrr^jseded^hj, M ajor Gordon; I met him walking the streets as a common citizen8. He séemed a Uttle ishamed at seeing me, and passed without saying anything. Keimer had got a better house, a shop well supplied ïvith stationery, plenty of new types, and a number of ïands 4, though none good, and seemed to have a great deal )f business. Mr. Denham took a shop in Water Street, where we jpened our goods; I attended the business diligently, studied iccounts, and grew in a little time expert8 at selling. We iodged and boarded together; he counselled6 me as a Eather, having a sincere regard for me. I respected and ioved him, and we might have gone on together very happily; but, in the beginning of Pebruary, 1727, when I had just passed my twenty-first year, we both were taken ill. My diséase7 was a pleurisy8, which very nearlyjsarried me off. I suffered a good deal, gave up the point in_m,i )wn mind9, and was at the time rather disappointed when [ found myself recovering; regretting, in some degree10, that I must now, some time or other, have all that disaipreeable work to go over again. I forget what Mr. Denham's lisease was; it held him a long time, and at length carried aim off. He left me a small \gg3£2L„in „a^JBLIlMJLVJBlSz, ti_L§~JSiJ>i 11> a® a token of his kindness for me, and he left me once more to the wide world; for the shop was taken into the care of his execptors12, and my employment ander him ended. 1 verschillende " ziekte 2 vervangen 8 pleuris 3 burger 9 oU mezelf 4 werklui 10 mate 5 bekwaam, bedreven n mondeling testament 0 raadgeven 12 executeuren 102 My brother-in-law, Holmes, being now at Philadelphia, advised my return to my business; and Keimer tempted me, with an offer of large wages by the year, to come and take the management of his printing-house, that he might better attend to his stationer's shop. I had heard a bad character of him in London, and was not for having any mbre to do with him. I wished for employment as a merchant's clerk; but, not meeting with any, I closed 1 again with Keimer. I found in his house three hands. These he had engaged at extremely low wages per week, to be raised f a shilling every three months. as they would deserve by imprpving3 in their business; and the expectation of these high wages was what he had drawn them in with. I soon perceived, that the intention of engaging me at wages so much higher than he had been used to give, was, to have these raw". cheap hands formed through me; and, as soon as I had instructed them, they being all articled 5 to him, he would be able to do without me. I went, however, very cheerfully, put his printing-house in order, which had been in great confusion, and brought his hands by degrees tpn mind their business and to do it better. But, however serviceable I might be, I found that my services became every day of less importance, as the other hands improved in their business; and, when Keimer paid me a second quarter's wages, he let me know that he felt them too heavy, and thought I should make an abatement6. He grew by degrees less civil, pu^pn more jfee ajrs of master, frequently found fault7. and seemed ready for an 9jrfbr&ak„3. I went on nevertheless with a good deal of patience, thinking that "his fficjojabereji.' circumstances 1 contracteerde gebonden 2 verhoogen 6 verlaging 3 bekwamer worden 7 maakte aanmerkingen 4 onbekwame 8 losbarsting 5 door een leerlingencontract 9 bezwaarde 103 were partly the cause. At length a trifle snapped1 our connection; for, a great noise happening near the house, I put my head out of the window to see what was the matter. Keimer, being in the street, looked up and saw me, called out to me in a loud voice and angry tone, to mind my business; adding some reproach f u 1 wojrrds2. that nettled3 me the more for their publicity; all the neighbours who were looking out on the same occasion being witnesses 4 how I was treated. He came up immediately into the. printing-house, continued the quarrel, high words passed on both sides, and he gave me *he quarter's warning8 we had stipulated6. expressing a wish that he had not been obliged to so long a warning. I told him his wish was unnecessary, for I would leave him that instant; and so taking my hat walked out of doors, desiring Meredith, one of the three hands, whom I saw below,*to take care of some things I left, and bring them to my lodgings. Meredith came accordingly in the evening, when we talked my affair over. He had conceived7 a great regard for me, and was very unwilling that I should leave the house while he remained in it. He dissuaded8 me from returning to my native country, which I began to think of; he.reminded me, that Keimer was in debt for all he possessed, that his creditors began to be uneasy; that he kept his shop miserably, sold of ten without a profit for ready ig^gnjxL and often trusted w i t h o u t k e e p i n g a-CcpuntB*11; that he must therefore fail11. which would make a vacancy I might profit of. I objected my want of 1 verbrak 7 opgevat 2 verwijten 8 ontried 3 prikkelden 9 contant 4 getuigen 10 zonder boek te houden 5 opzeggingstermijn ll failliet gaan 6 bepaald 104 money. He then let me know, that his father, who was a well-tq-do man, had a high opinion of me, and, from some discourse that had passed between them, he was sure would adyance money to set me up, if I would enter into par tner ship „wit hIj,i, m\ "My time," said he, "will be,.pnjLWith Keimer in t^k spring; by that time we may have our press and types in from London. I am sensible, I am no workman; if you like it, your skill in the business shall be set against the stock 2 I furnish, and we will share 3 the profits equally." The proposal was agreeable te me, and I consented; his father was in town and approved of it; the more as he said I had great influenc^witii his son, had prevailed on him to aMain4 Ipng. fmrrt drinkipg. and he hoped might break * hjm^pljthat wretched habit entirely, when we came to be so closely connected. I gave an inventory to the father, who carried it to a merchant; the things were sentJpTj. the secret was to be kept till they should arrivé, and in the meantime I was to get work, if I could, at the other printing-house. But I found no vacancy there, and so remained idle6 a few days, when Keimer, on a prospect of being employed to print some paper money in New Jersey, which would require various types, that I only could supply, and apprehending Bradford might engage me and get the job from him, sent me a very c i jj^l ^mjB^s^a^ e_7, that old friends should not part8 for a few words, the effect of sudden passion, and wishing me to return. Meredith persuaded8 me to comply, as it would give more opportunity for his improvement under my daily instructions; so I returned, and we went p n m _o_r e _ s m^oAh.! y10 than 1 zijn compagnon worden 6 werkeloos 2 Inventaris 1 beleefde boodschap 3 deelen 8 schelden 4 onthouden 9 overhalen 5 genezen 10 konden het beter vinden 105 £or some time before. The New Jersey job was obtained, I cpntriyed1 a copper-plate press for it, the first that had been seen in the country; I also cut several ornaments for the bills. We went together to Burlington, where I executed the^whole to. satisfaction; and he received so_large a_sum for the work a§jöjbe_enabk^^ to keep himself longer from ruin. I had not been long returned to Keimer. before the new types arrived from London. We settled with him, and left him by his consent2 befoie he heard of it. We found a house to let near the Market, and took it. To lessen 3 the rent 4. which was then but twenty-fbur pounds a year, though I have since known it to let for seventy, we took in Thomas Godfrey, a glazier^j and his family, who were to pay a considerable part of it to us, and we to board with them. We had scarcely qpjmed6 our letters and put our press in order, before George House, an acquaintance of mine, brought a countryman to us, whom he had met in the street, inquiring for a printer. All our cash was now expended on the variety of particulars we had been obliged to procure T, and this countryman's five shillings, being our first-fruitss, and coming so seasonably9, gave me more pleasure than any crown I have since earned; and the gratitude I feit towards House has made me often more ready, than perhaps I otherwise should have been, to assist young beginners. There are croakers 10 in every country, always boding11 its ruin. Such a one there lived in Philadelphia; a person of no t e12. an elderly man, with a wise look and a very grave manner of speaking; his name was Samuel Mickle. 1 vervaardigde i 7 aanschaffen 2 goedvinden 8 eerste verdienste 3 verminderen 9 gelegen 4 te huur 10 ongeluksprofeet 5 glazenmaker ; 11 voorspellen 6 uitgepakt 12 voornaam 106 This gentleman, a stranger to me, stopped me one day at my door, and asked me if I was the young man who had lately opened a new printing-house? Being answered ijl t h e a f f i rmative', he said he was sorry for me, because it was an expensive undertaking, and the expense would be lost; for Philadelphia was a sinking2 place, the people already half bankrupts, or near being so; all the appearances of the contrary, such as new buildings and the rise of rent s3, being to his certain knowledge fjh^icipjjs,4 ; for they were in fact among the things that would ruin ns. Then he gave me such a detail of misfortunes now existing, or that were scon to exist, that he left me half melancholy. Had I known him before I engaged in this business, probably I never should have done it. This person continued to live in this decaying5 place, and to talk in the same strain8, refusing for many years to buy a house there, because all waBmjLoj,n_g.. t o de s t r,n ctio n 7; and at last I had the pleasure of seeing him give five times as. much for one, asjiejnight have bought it for, when he first began croaking. But now difficulties came upon me, which I had never the least reason to expect. Mr. Meredith's father, who wj& to have paid for our printing-house, according to the expectations given me, was able to advance8 only one hundred pounds, which had been paid; and a hundred more were due to the merchant, who grew impatient and sued9 us all. We g a^ve^bjjl10, but saw that, if the money could not be raised11 in time, the suit12 must soon come to a J liiL&Re PLand our hopeful pros- 1 bevestigend .• \ s voorscbieten 2 achteruitgaande 9 in rechten danspreken 3 stijging der huren 10 borgstelling geven 4 valsch 11 loskrijgen B achteruitgaand 12 rechtsgeding, proces 6 w'Jze 13 vonnis en gerechtelijke 7 te gronde zou gaan executie 107 pects must, with us, be ruined; as the press and letters must be sold for payment, perhaps at half price. In this distress 1 two true friends, whose kindness I have .never forgotten, nor_ever shall forget while I can remember anything, came to me separately2. unknown to each other, and, without any application3 from me, offered each of them to advance me all the money that should be necessary to enable me to take the whole business upon myself, if that should be practicable4; but they did not like my continuing the partnership 5 with Meredith, who, as they said, was of ten seen drank in the street, much_to our dfecredit6. These two friends were William Colewan' and Robert 1' Grace. I told them I could not propose a separation, while any prospect remained of the Merediths' fulfilling their part of our agreement7; because I thought myself under great obligations to them for what they had done, and would do if they could; but, if they finally failed8, and j our partnership must be diggolved*. I should then think myself at liberty to accept the assistance of my friend. Thus the matter rested 10 for some time, when I said to my partner: "Perhaps your father is dissatisfied at the part you have undertaken in this af fair of ours, and is unwilling to advance for you and me, what he would for you. If that is the case, teil me, and I will resign 11 the whole to you, and gp„ a.b,put my bus in es s" 12. "No," said he, "my father has really been disappointed, and is really unable; and I am unwilling to distress13 him further. I see this is a business I amj not fit for. I was bred 14 a farmer , 1 nood 8 faalden, daarin te kort 2 afzonderlijk schoten 3 verzoek 9 ontbonden 4 uitvoerbaar 10 bleer rusten 4 vennootschap 11 arstaan 6 schade voor onzei* goeden 12 mijn eigen weg gaan naam 13 lastig vallen 7 overeenkomst 14 grootgebracht 108 and it was foljy,. inr meT tq,jcome__ to town, and put myself, at thirty years of age, an apprentice to learn a new trade 1. Many of our Welsh people are going to settle in North Carolma, where land is cheap. I am inclined to go with them, and follow my old employment8; you may find friends to assist you. If you will take. the debts of the company upon you, return to my father the hundred pounds he has advanced, pay my little personal debts, and give me thirty pounds and a new saddle, I will relinquish 3 the partnership and leave the whole in your hands." I agreed to this proposal; it was drawn up in writing, signed, and sealed 4 immediately. I gave him what he demandejï, and he went soon after , to Carolina. As soon as he was gone, I applied5 to my two friends; and because I would not give an unkind preference to either, I took half of what each had offered and I wanted of one, and half of the other; paid off the company's debts, and went on with the business in my own name, advertising that the partnership was dissolved 8. I think this was in or about the year 1729. I soon after pbtained, through my friend Hamilton, the printing of the Newcastle paper money, a profitable job, as I then thought it; small things appearing great to those in small circumstances; and these to me were really great advantages, as they were great enconragements. Mr. Hamilton procured for me also the printing of the laws and yojjgsj of that government, which continued in my hands as long as I followed the business. I now opened a small sJ^at^Qjn^ex'j^Jion 8. I had in it bianjgg9 of all kinds; the cprrectes_t10 that ever appeared 1 vak 6 ontbonden 2 beroep 7 stembiljetten 3 arstaan 8 winkel ln schrijfbehoeften 4 gezegeld 9 blanco formulieren 5 wendde mij 10 de zorgvuldigst afgewerkte 109 among us. I was assisted in that by my friend Breintnal. I had also paper, parchment \ &c. One Whitemarsh, a compositor2 I had known in London, an excellent workman, now'came to me, and worked with me constantly and diligently; and I took an apprentice. I_began n*hj9,MJS&JË^ÏJSJLS^S. '• * this was an axiom in Cubitt Town. But where was the money? What was the difference between this and other shops? Was a screw loose8 anywhere? In that case it certainly could not be her favdt; wberefore she nagged 6 Hedward. One day a polite young man called and explained the whole mystery. Ncbody could reasonably expect to succeed in a business of tbia sort who did not keep a good stock of tüe fjL£££. J> PJLra4 a little, and I guess nobody but a fooi ever did buy at the bottom 8 price more than once; but I've had an idea for some time that it was about bottom, and this telegram wouldn't have been sent if the man who sent it didn't think so too, and I've had some other correspondence with him." Mr. Harum paused, and laughed a little. "I was just thinking," he continued, "of what the Trishman said about Stof ford. Never been there, have you? Well, it's a place eight or nine miles from here, and the hills around are so steep * that when you're1 going up you can look right back under the buggy 7 by just leaning over the edge of the dash board. I was driving round there once, and I met an Irishman with a big drfiVjÊ..8 of hogs. " 'Hello, Pat!' I said, 'where have all those hogs come from?' " 'Stofford,' he says. " 'Well,' I said, 'I wouldn't have thought there were so many hogs in Stof ford.' " 'Oh, begobs!' he said/sure they're all hogs in Stofford'; and," declared David, "the bearj* have been selling their 1 vaten • I 6 steil 2 overschot om te suppleeren 7 soort sjees 3 genoeg- ls , 8 kudde i dalen 9 baissiers 5 laagste 129 pork in Chicago as if the whole West were all hogs." "It's very tempting 1," said John, thoughtfully. "Well," said David, "I don't want to tempt you exactly, and certainly I don't want to urge^ you. There are no sure things but death and taxes 3, as the saying is, but buying pork at these prices is buying something that's got value, and you can't wipe it out4. In other words, it's buying a warranted5 article at a price considerably lower than it can be produced at, and though it may go lower, if a man can stick_e, it's bound:7 to gp up in the long run." Our friend sat for some minutes apparently looking into the fire, but he was not cpnscious 8 of seeing anything at all. Finally he rose, went over to Mr. Harum's desk, figured 9 the interest on the certificates up to the first of January, endorsed_10 them, and, filling up a cheque for the balance of the amount in question, handed the cheque and certificates to David. "Think you'11 do it, eh?" said the latter. "Yes," said John; "but if I take the quantity you suggest, I shall have nothing to pay the margin11, in case the market goes below a certain point." "I've thought of that," replied David, "and was going to say to you that I would pay them in case more m a rgins should b e cal le d 12." "Very well," said John. "And will you look after the whole matter for me?" "All right," said David. John thanked him, and returned to the front room. 1 verleidelijk I s bewust 2 aansporen 9 berekende 3 belastingen 10 endosseerde 4 te niet doen tl suppleeren, bij te storten 5 gegarandeerd, degelijk, solied 12 meer gesuppleerd moest 6 volhouden worden 7 moet wel 130 There were times in the months which folio wed, when our friend had reason to wish that all swine had perished with those whom Shylock said "your prophet the Nazarite com'ured1 the devil into"; and the news of the world in general was of sÊC,önd^.i,Jln^prjka^ncg compared with the market rejortss. After the purchase pork dropped off a little, and hung about the lower figure4 for some time. Then it began to advance 8 by degrees until thg^uptation 8 was a dollar above the purchase price. John's idea was to sell, but David made no sign. The market continued firm7 for a while, even going a little higher. Then it began to drop rather more rapidly than it had advanced, to about what the pork had cost, and for a long period flucfr^ed 8 only a few cents one way or the other. This was followed by a steady decline * to the extent of half-a-dollar, and, as the reports came, it "looked like going lower," which it did. In fact, there came a day when it was so "low," and so much "looked like going lower" (as such things do when the "bottom" is pretty nearly reached), that our friend had not the courage to examine the market reports for the next two days, and simply tried 1^,l^ejri-tj?§LeBMggL9yJ 9f fci8 m™cl 10 • On tne morning of the third day the Syrchester paper was brought in about ten o'clock, as usual, and laid on Mr. Harum's desk. John shivered11 a little, and for some time refrained12 fsajaJte&kj^^ last he went into the back room and glanced at the first page without taking the paper in his hands. One of the press. des^atghes13 was headed:' "Great Exoitement14 in Chicago: Pork Market reported 1 tooverfle S schommelde 2 bijkomend 9 daling 3 berichten 10 gedachten 4 prijs li rilde 5 stijgen 12 onthield zich ,6 noteering 13 perstelegrammen 7 vast U opwinding 131 Cornered1; Bears on the run," and more of the same sort, which struck our friend as being the most profitable, instrnctive2, and delightful literature that he had ever come across^ David had been in Syrchester the two previous days, returning the evening before. Just then he came into the office, and John handed him the paper. "Well," he said , holding it off at arm's length, and then putting on his glasses, "those fellows that thought they were all hogs up West are b. a^ .y \ 'n. g ja c h a n g e o f h e_a_r_t_3 ■ are not they? I reckoned they would, before they got through with it. It's been rather a long time, though, eh?" he said, looking at John with a grin. "Yes," said our friend, with a slight shrng4 of the shoulders. "Things looked rather dangerous the last two or three days, eh?" suggested David. "Bather," said John. "The fact is," he admitted5, "I am ashamed to say that for a few days back I haven't looked at a quotation. I suppose you must have covered me to some extent. How much was it?" "Well," said David, "I k e p t t h. ei t ra d e_, m ar g ined 6, of course, and if we'd sold oiit at the bottom17. you'd have owed me something ljke a thousand or fifteen hundred; but," he added, "it was only in thé slumpand didn't last longi. I wasn't worried9 at all, and you didn't seem to be either, and so I didn't say anything." "What do you think about it now?" asked John. "My opinion is now" replied Mr. Harum, "that it's going to pretty near where it belongs and perhaps even higher, and this is my advice: we can sell now at some profit, and of course the bears will jump on again"1 1 de baissiers vastzetten door I 6 heb telkens gesuppleerd heimelijk alle voorraden op te laagste noteering 2 leerzaam [koopen 8 groote daling 3 krijgen een minder behaaglijk 9 verontrust 4 ophalen [gevoel 10 de baissiers zullen er weer 5 stemde toe j als de kippen bij zijn 132 as it goes up. I don't mean to try and get the top ^.pjjce^r I'm always willing to let the other fejlow* make a little—but we've waited for quite a time, and as the market i 8 go i n gi n o u r fja yjou r3, we might as well wait a little longer." "All right," said John, "and I'm very much obliged to you." "Never mind!" said David. It was not until August, however, that the deal4 was finally c,b^s^^,o^u t5. 23. MR. MBESON. Everybody who has any connection with Birmingham will be acquainted with the vast puplishing estabushment.' still known by the short title of "Meeson's," which is perhaps the most remarkable instijjution 7 of its sort in Enrope. There were three partners.8, in Meeson's—Meeson himself, the managing9 partner; Mr. Addison, and Mr. Boscoe —and people in Birmingham said that there were others interested in the concern, for Meeson's was a company10. However this may be, Meeson & Co. were undoubtedly a commercial marvel11. The firm employed12 more than two thousand tadsj3; and its works,14, lift15 throughout with the electric light, covered two acres and a quarter of land. One hundred commercial travellers, at three pounds a week and a commission, went forth east and west, and north and south, to sell the books of Meeson (which were 1 hoogste | 9 beheerende 2 degene, die het van mij koopt i 0 vennootschap 3 oploopt li wonder 4 zaak 12 had in dienst 5 afgewikkeld 13 employé's 6 uitgeverszaak li fabriek 7 instelling « verlicht 8 vennooten 133 largely religious1 in their nature) in all lands; and fiveand-twenty tamej authors (who were illustrated by thirteen tame artists) sat—at salaries ranging3 from one to five hundred a year—in the v a u 11-1 i k e b a s e m e n t *, and week by week pour eadiouit 5 their work. Then there were editpxs,! and vice-editors, and heads of the various departments7, and sub-heads, and financial secretaries, and p r o of-re ader s8, and many managers; but what their \ names were no man knew, because at Meeson's all the * employees of the great house were distinguished by numbers; personalities and personal responsibility being thjö abomination 9 of the firm. Nor was it allowed to any one having dealings 10 with these ijfcems.11 ever to see the same number twice, presnmably 12 for fear lest the number should remember that he was a man and a brother, and his heart should melt towards 13 the unfortunate, and the financial interests of Meeson's should suffer. In short, Meeson's was an establishment created x* for and devoted18 tp_money-making, and the fact was kept constantly before the eyes of everybody connected with it—which was, of course, as it should be, in this happy land of commerce. One day King Meeson sat in his private "jgffice counting out his money or, at least, looking over the books of the firm. He was in a very bad temper 17and his heavy brows were contracted18 in a way calculated to make the clerks shake on their stools 19. Meeson's had a branch establishment 20 at Sydney, in Australia, which establishment had, 1 godsdienstig: 11 nummers, artikelen 2 tamme 12 -waarscnljnlijk 3 variëerende 13 medelijden krijgen 4 kelderachtig sousterrain 14 ingesteld, opgericht 5 storten uit 15 gewijd 6 redacteuren 16 privö T afdeellngen 17 humeur 8 correctoren 18 samengetrokken f een gruwel 19 krukken lo te doen 20 filiaal 134 until lately, bjejyi_j)j|j[jji g 1 —^ ^s true not as well as the English one, but still fifteen or twenty per cent. But now a wonder had cc- m e t p p a s, sa. A great American publishing firm had started a competing house in Melbourne, and their "cutejtte.s.s" 3 was more than the "cuteness" of Meeson. Did Meeson's publish an edition of the works of any standard author at threepence per volume, the competing company brought out the same work at twopencehalfpenny; did Meeson's fflftbsidise4 a newspaper to puf f 5 their undertakings, the other firm subsidised two to_.c_ry tJ^ê-^BL,.4„9«SLiBL6) and so on. And now the results of all this were becoming apparent: for the f in anc ial year7 just ended the Australian branch had barely 8 earned a beggarly net 9 dividend of seven per cent. No wonder Mr. Meeson was furious, and no wonder that the clerks shook upon their stools. "This must be s e e n int o.18, No. 3," said Mr. Meeson, bringing his fist down with a^bjjnj*.11 on to the bjajjy^esheet12. No. 3 was one of the editors: a mild-eved 13 little man with blue spectacles. He had once been a. writer o, f pro nt i s e14 ; but somehow Meeson's had got him for its own, and turned nim into a publish er's hack 15. "Quite so, sir," he said humbly. "It is very bad—it is dreadful to think of Meeson's coming down to seven per cent.—seven per cent. !" and he held up his hands. "Don't stand there like that, No. 3," said Mr. Meeson fjercely,16; "but suggest17 something." 1 gerendeerd 10 onderzocht 2 gebeurd 11 slag 3 scherpheid, acuteness 12 balans 4 subsldlëeren 13 zachtaardig uitziend 5 aanbevelen 14 veelbelovend 6 afkammen 15 broodschrijver 7 boekjaar 16 woest 8 nauwelijks 17 voorslaan, aan de hand doen 9 netto 135 "Well, sir," said No. 3 more humbly than ever, for he was terribly af raid of his employ er; "I think, perhaps, that somebody had better go to Australia, and see what can be done.'' "I know one thing that can be done," said Mr. Meeson, with a snarl"all those fools out there can be sacked2. and sacked they shall be: and, what's more, I'll go and sack them myself. That will do, No. 3; that will do;" and No. 3 departed, and glad enough he was to go. As he went, a clerk arrived, and gave a card to the great man. "Miss Augusta Smithers," he read; then, with a grunt 3, "show Miss Augusta Smithers in." . Presently Miss Augusta Smithers arrived. She was a tall, well-formed young lady of about twenty-four, with pretty golden hair, deep grey eyes, and a fine forehead; just now, however, she looked very nervous. "Well, Miss Smithers, what is it?" asked the publisher. I came, Mr. Meeson—I came about my book." "Your book, Miss Smithers," this was an af f ectation of4 forgetfulneBS; "let me see?—forgive me, but we publish so many books. Oh yes, I remember: 'Jemima's Vow s.' Oh, well, I believe it is going on fairlv 6." "I saw you advertised the sixteenth thousand the other day," put in Miss Smithers apologetically 7. "Did we—did we? ah, then, you know more about it than I do," and he looked at his visitor in a way that conveyed8 clearly enough that he considered the interview was ended. Miss Smithers rose, and then, with an effort, sat down 1 snauw §§JV 5 Slofte 2 weggejaagd 6 vrij goed 3 grommend 7 verontschuldigend i voorgewende s uitdrukte 136 again. "The fact is, Mr. Meeson," she said—"the fact is, I thought that, perhaps, as 'Jemima's Vow' had been such a great success, you might, perhaps—in Bhort, you might be inclined to give me some small sum in; addition to.1 what I have received." Mr. Meeson looked up. His forehead was wrinkled till the sjjaggy.2 eyebrows nearly hid the sharp little eyes. "WhaM" he said "What!" At this moment tfoe dopr opened. and a young gentleman c^me^jslow^jn. He was a very nice-looking young man, tall and well-shaped, with jplly3 blue eyes—in short, a typical young Englishman of the better sort, age twentyfour. I have said that he came slowly in, but that scarcely expresses the gay air of independence which this young man showed, and which certainly would have struck4 any observer as ljji tj.e s,h o:rjt jj^l^j l2,p^sikj_n g 5, when con- trasted with the worm-üke attitude 8 of those who crept7 round the feet of Meeson. This young man hjdjiot, mdeed, even taken the trouble to take off his hat, which was perched,8 upon the back of his head; his hands were in his pockets, and he opened the door ofjjhj^jgyigjinm^ of the Meeson establishment with a kick9! "How do, uncle?" he said to the Commercial Terror. who was^sittjng there behind his formidable 10 books, addressing him even as though he were an ordinary man. "Why, what's up11?" Just then, however, he caught sight of the very handsome young lady who was seated in the office, and his whole demeanour..12 underwent a most remarkable change: out 1 Doven 7 kropen 2 borstelige 8 geplaatst 3 vroolijke 9 trap 4 treffen 10 ontzaglijk 5 bijna aanstootelijk 11 aan de band . 6 houding I 12 houding 137 came the hands from his pockets, off went the hat, and, turning, be bowed very politely. "What is it, Eustace?" asked Mr. Meeson eharply. "Oh, nothing, uncle; nothing—it can wait," and, without waiting for an invitation, he took a chair, and sat jdpwn in §SSSL,«A^fiitói0JL ^at he could see Miss Smithers without being seen of his uncle. "I was saying, Miss Smithers, or, rather, I was going to say," went on the elder Meeson, "that, in short, I do not in the least, understand what you can mean. You will remember tha^ypu,werejraddji sum of fifty pounds for the copyright of 'Jemima's Vow.'" "Great Heavens!" murmured Master Eustace, behind; '' what..a .do 1''1 "At the time an other agreement3, offering you seven per cent. oii ^the published price of the book, was, submitted8 tp you, and had you accepted it you would, doubtless, have realised 4 a larger sum/' and Mr. Meeson contracted his hairy eyebrows and gazed at the poor girl in a way that was, to say the least, alarnüng5. But Augusta, though she feit sadly inclined tp flee, still stood to her guns6, for, to__telljth^truth, her need was very great. "I co u 1 d n o t, ^a j f o r d t o7 wait for the seven per cent., Mr. Meeson," she said humbly. "Oh, ye gods! seven per cent., when he makes about thirty-fivè!" murmered Eustace, in the background. "Possibly, Miss Smithers; possibly," went^pn the great ' man. "You must really forgiye me if I am not acquainted ' with the exact8 condition of your private affairs. I am, however, a_w_axe.9 from experience10 that the money 1 bedrog- i 6 bield stand 2 overeenkomst 7 bad geen middelen, om 3 aangeboden g juiste 4 gemaakt 9 weet 5 verontrustend 10 ervaring 138 matters of most writing people are a little embarrassed V' Augusta winced2, and Mr. Meeson, rising heavily from his chair, went to a large safe 3 which stood near, and took from it a bundie of agreements. These he„glanced_l_a.t one by one, till he found what he was looking for. "Here is the agreement," he said; "let me see? Ah, I thought so—copyright fifty pounds, hjibljjrpceeds jol rights of translation, and a clause5 binding you. to offer any future work you may produce during the next five years tp our house on the seven per cent. agreement, or a sum not exceeding6 one hundred pounds for the copyright. Now, Miss Smithers, what have you to say? You signed this document of your own free will. It so happens that we have madj_a„large profit on your book; indeed, I don't mind tehwg you that we have got as much as we gave you, back from America for the sale of the American rights; but that is no ground for your coming to ask more money than you agreed to accept. I never heard of such a thing in my life, never 1" and he paused, and once more eyed her sternly7. "At any rate, there ought to be something to come to me from the rights of translation—I saw in the paper that the book was to be translated into French and German," said Augusta faintly 8. "Oh! yes, no doubt—Eustace, oblige me by touching the bell." The young gentleman did so, and a tall, melancholylooking clerk appeared. "No. 18," snarled9 Mr. Meeson, in the tone of peculiar amiability10 that he reserved for his employees, "make 1 verward 6 Doven 2 kromp ineen 7 streng 3 brandkast 8 flauwtjes 4 keek 9 snauwde 5 clausule I 10 minzaamheid 139 qut,1 the traMlation account of 'Jemima's Vow,' and fill up a cheque for the balance3 duejtotbeauthor." No. 18 v^nishedj^and Mr. Meeson once more addresjed the girl before him. "If you want money, Miss Smithers," he said,"yoji_Jift4Jbet^ book. I am not going to_.deny 4 that your work is good work—a little too deep, and not quite popular enough, perhaps; but_still good. I tejtedJL.it myself when it came to hand—which is a thing I don't often do—and saw it would sell well, and you see I didn't make a mistake. I believe 'Jemima's Vow' will sell twenty thousand without stopping—here's the account." As he spoke, the clerk put down a neattj^xiled6 bit of paper and an unsigped cheque on "the desk before his emjjloyer, and then disappeared. Mr. Meeson glgnce^ihrongh the account, signed the cheque, and handed it, together with the account, to Augusta, who proj^ejde^^tQ„rjad it- It ran8 thus:— Augusta Smithers in accpijnt with Meeson & Co. £ s. d. To 9 Sale of Right of Translation of "Jemima's Vow" into French . . 700 Do. do. do. into German 700 £ 14 " 0 £ s. d. Less amount due to Messrs. Meeson, being one-half of neXj? roc e e d s 10 . . 700 Less Commission, &c V.-V- « 3 l9 0 £ to 19 0 Balance due to Author, as per cheque herewith ...^310 1 op 6 gelinieerd 2 saldo 7 Degon, ging 3 verdween 8 luidde 4 ontkennen 9 aan 5 onderzocht 10* netto opbrengst 140 Augusta looked, and then slowly cjnijnpJjL4™UB1 the cheque in her hand. "If I understand2, Mr. Meeson," she said, "you have sold the two rights of translation of my book, which you persuaded.3 me to leave in your hands, for £ 14; out of which I am to receive £ 3 ls. ?" "Yes, Miss Smithers. Will you be so kind as to sign the rJêS?jE$.4> the fact is that I have a good deal of business t o a.ll.g-njL.J.Q,s •'' "No, Mr. Meeson," said Augusta, rising to her f eet and looking exceedingly handsome and inippsing 6 in her anger. "No; I will not sign the receipt, and I will not take this cheque. And, what is more, I will not write you any more books. You have takjn^dyantage p| my ignorance7, and iPrgxp.erien.se8, and entrapped9 me so that for five years I. shall be nothing but a slave to you, and, although I am now one of the most popular writers in the country, shall be obliged to accept a sum for my books upon which I cannot live. Do you know that yesterday_J„ wasoffered a thousand pounds for the copyright of a book like 'Jemima's Vow' ?—it's a large sum; but I have the letter. Yes, and I have the book in manuscript now; and if I could publish it, I should be ljij^d ".^ojftt .Qf ^ftyerty^ together with my poor little sister!" and sl^^ye_.a_spb_,11. "But," she went on, "I cannot publish it, and I will not let you have it and be treated 12 like this: I had rather starve13. I will publish nothing for five years, and I will write to the papers 14 and say why—because I have been cheated 18. Mr. Meeson !" 1 verfrommelde 9 er in te laten loopen 2 goed begrijp 10 bevrijd 3 overbaaldet 11 snik 4 kwitantie 12 behandeld E af te doen 13 verhongeren 6 Indrukwekkend 14 kranten 7 onwetendheid 15 bedrogen 8 onervarenheid 141 "Cheated!" thundered the great man. "Be careful, young lady; mind what_y_ou__are saying. I have a witneBs'— Eustace, you hear, 'cheated!' Eustace, 'cheated!'" "I hear," said Eustace grimly 2. "Yes, Mr. Meeson, I said 'cheated'; and I will repeat it, whejjher I am locked up3 for it or not. Good morning, Mr. Meeson," and she bowed to him, and then suddejply burgt into a flood of tears. In a minute Eustace was by her side_. "Don't cry, Miss Smithers; for Heaven's sake, don't. I_ can't bear to see it," he said. She looked up, her beautiful grey eyes full of tears, and tried to smile. "Thank you," she said; "I am very siïly4, but I am so disappointed. If you only knew There, I will go. Thank you," and in another instant she left the room. "Well," said Mr. Meeson, senior, who had been sitting at his desk wij%. hjA^eM„mouth open, apparently too much astonished to speak. "Well, there is a vixen5 for you. But she'11 c,OBttjB^xoJL8--Sl6- I've known them to do that sort of thing before—there are one or two down there," and he pointed his thumb in the direction where the twenty-five tame authors sat and did their work by the .yard,, "who c arr ie d on' like that. But they are quiet enough now—they don't show much spirit now. I know how to 4jAL_wJ.lb^_jtiM„Sor|^_Jhjrig. Why, that girl will be worth fifteen hundred a year to the house. What do you think of it, young man, eh?" "I think," answered his nephew, on whose good^temPe~ red face a curious look of cpntempt9 and anger had come, 1 getuige , 6 bijdraaien 2 grimmig 7 aangingen 3 opgesloten 8 aanpakken 4 kinderachtig 9 minachting 5 kat, feeks Jansonius, Handelsleesboek. 10 142 "I think that you ought to be ashamed of yourself!" There was a pause—a j^ejdiul... pause. Mr. Meeson gaspecP. Then he took up the cheque which Augusta had thrown upon the table and slowly crumpled* it. "What did you say, young man?" he said at last, in a cold, hard voice. "I said that you ought to be ashamed of yourself," answered his nephew, standing h i rjojj_njd„f^rayely; "and, what is mOre, Ijneantjitr' "Oh ! Now will you be so kind as to explain exactly why you said that, and why you meant it?" "I meant it," answered his nephew, speaking in a full, strong voice, "because that girl was right when she said that you had chejitgd4 her, and you know that she was right. I have seen the accounts of 'Jemima's Vow'—I saw them this morning—and you have already made more than a thousand pounds clearJLprpjftt on the book. And then when she comes to ask you for something over the beggarly8 fifty pounds which you gave her, you refuse, and offer her three pounds as her sJbarju! of the translation rights—three pounds as against your eleven!" "Go on," interrapted his uncle; "pray go on." "All right; I am going. That is not all: you actually avail yourself8 of a trick9 to entrap 10 this unfortunate girl into an agreement whereby she becomes a literary slave for five years! As soon as you see that she has genius11, you teil her that the expejose 12 of bringing out her book, and of advertising 13 her name, &c., &c, &c, will be very great— so great, indeed, that you cannot undertake14 it, unless, 1 stond verstomd 8 gebruikt 2 verfrommelen 9 Hst 3 standhoudende 10 verstrikken 4 bedrog-en 11 genie 5 netto, zuivere 12 onkosten 6 armzalige 13 reclame maken voor 7 aandeel 14 ondernemen 143 indeed, she agrees tp_let_jou .„have the first offer of everything she writes for five years to come, at some where a b,p u t1 a fourth of the usual ratej8 of a successful author's pay—though, of course, you don't teil her that. You take advantage of her inexperience3 to hjnnd her by this contract, knowing that the end of it will be that you will advance4 her a little money and get her into your power, and then she will become a hack-writer like the rest of them. For Meeson's is a strictly commercial undertaking, you know, and Meeson's public don't like genius, they like their literature duJJ5!—and it's an infernal6 shame! that's what it is, uncle!" and the young man, whose blue eyes were by this time flashing fire, for he had worked hup.self up as he went along, brought his fist down with a_Jbang upon the writing-table bx._way_ of emphasiBing7 his words. "Have you done?" said his uncle. "Yes, I've done ; and I hope that I have put it plain8." "Very well; and now might I ask you, supposing that you should ever cojn^to^ manage9 this .business, if your sentiments accurately 10 represent the system upon11 which you would P£ü£ee.d 12?" "Of course they do. I am not going to turn dishonest for anybody.'' "Thank you. They seem to have taught you the art of plain speaking up at Oxford—though it appears that they taught you very little else. Well, now it is my turn to speak; and I teil you what it is, young man: you will either instantly beg my pardon for what you have said, or you will leave Meeson's for good and all." 1 ongeveer 7 kracht bijzetten 2 tarief 8 duidelijk gezegd 3 onervarenheid 9 besturen 4 voorschieten 10 nauwkeurig 5 saai 11 volgens 6 helsche 12 te werk gaan 144 "I won't beg your pardon for speaking the truth," said Eustace hotly, "I shall be devilish1 glad to get out of this shop, I can teil yoü. I hate it. The place r e e k sof sh ar p P«r»S«£.Jiij2-eJ~ an<ï money-making— money-making by^fair3 means or foul "You jm,pudent 5 young rascal!" the elder man replied; "you ungrateful foundling 0! Do you suppose that when my brother léft you to starye7—which was all that you were fit for—I picked you out of the gutter8 for this: that you should have the ij3SfiJfin.ce.9 to come and teil me how to condnct" my business? Now, young man, 1*11 just teil you what it is. You can be off and conduct a business of your own on whatever principles you choose. Get out of Meeson's, sir; and never dare to show your nose here again, or I'il give the porter11 orders to drive you off the_prencuses 12! And, now, that isn't all. I've done with you, never yon loo k ^*i^^me Jor^another sixpence ! I'm not going to ™PJB9Jl14. you any longer, I can teil you. And, what's more, do you know what I am going to do just now? I'm off to old Todd—that's my lawyer—and I'm going to teil him to make another will18 and to leave every farthing I have—and that isn't much short, of,1" two millions, 0£6™3&y«,~Sni„^othe_rto Addison and Eoscoe." They don't want it, but that doesn't matter. You shan't have it—no, not a farthing of it; and I won't have a pjle18 ' like that ^lliAs.X^At^^M.&J.19 in mismanagement 1 verdutvela ü portier 2 riekt naar bedriegerij 12 gebouw, pand 3 eerlijke 13 verwacht van i oneerlijke 14 onaerhouaen 5 brutale 15 testament 6 vondeling 16 beneden I 7 verhongeren 17 alles met elkaar 8 straatgoot ' 18 hoop geld 9 onbeschaamdheid 19 verkwist 10 drijven 20 wanbeheer ■ 145 There now, my fine young gentleman, just be off and see if your new business principles will get you ajiyjng^.'' "All right, uncle; I'm going," said the young man quietly. "I quite understand what our quarrel means for me, and, to teil you the truth, I am not sorry. I have never wished to be dependent on you, or to have anything to do with1 a. business carried on2 as Meeson's is . I have a hundred a year my mother left me, and with the help of that and my education, I hope to make a living. Still, I don't want to part3 from you in anger, because you have been very kind to me at times, and, as you remind me. you picked me out of the gutter, when I was orphaned 4 or not far from it. So I hope yojj^wjll^jhake^amjb^efore I go." "Ah!" snarled his uncle; "you want to pipe down5 now, do you? But that won't do. Off you go! and mind you don't ,,.p6t,.;..J|9gtn |p' Bompadour Hall"—Mr. Meeson's seat—"unless it is to get your clothes. Come. cut6 !" "You mjsunderstand me.'' said Eustace, with a dignity7 which became^3 him very well. "Probably we shall not meet again, and I did not wish to part in anger, that was all. Good morning." And he bowed and left the office. '' Confoxmd^üjy" muttered his uncle as the door closed, "he's a gppdj^cked9 one—showed spirit. But I'll show spirit, too. Meeson is a man of his word. Cut him off with a shilling? not I; cut him off with nothing at all! And yet, I like the lad. Well, I've done with him, thanks to that minx of a Smithers girl." Then he rose, put poor Augusta's agreement carefully back into the safe, which he shut with a^uBfcX.a.g.ÉL^aia4)..il. and proceeded to yisit the various departments of his vast 1 bestaan i 6 ruk uit 2 gedreven 7 waardigheid 3 scheiden 8 stond 4 verweesd 1 9 dapper 5 zoete broodjes bakken I 10 woeste slag 146 establishment. To this hour the clerks of the great House talk of that dreadful day with bja_tgjd,.„bjrejLlh.1—for as bipody^Hectpr raged through the Greeks, so did the mighty Meeson rage through his hundred departments. In the very first office he caught a wretched clerk eating sandwiches. Without a moment'b hesitation _he took the sandwiches and threw them. through the .window, "Do you suppose I pay you to come and eat your fjhihx.2 sandwiches here?" he asked savagely. "There, now you can go and look for them; and don't trouble to come back, you idle, worthless fellow. Off you go 1 and remember you need not send people to me for a character3. Now then— dpu^e,wgjiick J " The unfortunate departed, feebly remtmstrating4, and Meeson, having glared round at the other clerks and warned them that unless they were careful—very careful—they would soon follow in his. tracks 5, p r o c eed e d op6 bis path of^j^eyastation7. Presently__he met an editor, No. 7 it was, who was bringing him an agreement to sign. He snatched 8 it from him and glanced through it. "What do you mean by bringing me a thing like this?" he said; "it's all wrong." "It is exactly as you dictated it to me yesterday. sir," said the editor in dignantly 9. "What, do you dare to cpntradict^8 me?" roared Meeson. "Look here, No. 7, you „„and.,,1. had better part. Now, no words; your salary will be paid tp you till the end of tbe month, and if you would like to bring an. actioJt-11 for 1 gedempte stem 7 verwoesting 2 vuil 8 greep, rukte 3 getuigen 9 verontwaardigd 4 tegenstribbelend 10 tegenspreken 5 spoor 11 een proces beginnen 6 vervolgde 147 W_L9J^iu-i Jj". s ai1. why, I'm your man. Good morning, No. 7; good morning." Next he crossed a courtyard 2 where, by s 1 i p p i n g s t e alt h i 1 y3 round a corner, he came japon a little errand-boy4, who was enjoying a solitary bout of m arb les". Whack came his cane across the seat of that errand-boy's trousers, and in^ajocther minute_he had folio wed the editor and the sandjyich^d^OTiring^ clerk. And so the merry game went on for half-an-hour or more, till at last Mr. Meeson was f ain to cease ', being too exhausted to continue. But next morning there was promotion going on in the great publishing house; eleven vacancies had to be fjUedJ\ A couple of glasses of brown sherry and a few sandwiches, which he swallowed hastily at a neighbouring restaurant, quickly restored^.8 him, however; and, jumping into a cab, he drove post haste 9 to his lawyers, Messrs. Todd & James. "Is Mr. Todd in?" he said to the n^joa^_n_g__GjjejrJ^°. who came, forward, bowing .obsequiousbj,11 to one of the richest men in Birmingham. "Mr. Todd will be disengaged 12 in a few minutes, sir," he said. "May I offer you the Times?" ''Damn the.Times'' was the polite answer; "I don't come here to read newspapers. Teil Mr. Todd that I must see him atjmcgJ..,or else I shall go elsewhere.'' "I am much af raid, sir " began the managing clerk. 1 onrechtmatig- ontslag 7 voorzien in 2 binnenplaats 8 herstellen 3 zachtjes sluipen 9 vliegensvlug 4 loopjongen 10 oudste, eerste klerk 5 knikkerspelletje i ï onderdanig c genoodzaakt was op te houden 12 vrij 148 Mr. Meeson jumped up and grabbed1 his hat. "Now then, which is it to be?" he said. ' "Oh, certainly, sir; pray be seated." answered the manager in great alarm—Meeson's business was not a thing to be lightly lost. "I wül. see_Mr. Todd instantly," and he vanphed, Almost simultaneously2 with his departure an old lady was uun„ e e r e m p n i o u s 1 y b u: n..d 1 e d o u t3 of an inner room, proclaiming loudly that her head was going round and round. The poor old soul was just altering her will for the eighteenth time in favour of a bran new charity*. highly recommended by Boyalty; and to be suddenly shot from the presence of her lawyer into the outer darkness of the clerks' office, was really too much for her. ÏBUilBO.thj&^ Meeson was being warmly, even enthusiastically, greeted by Mr. Todd himself. Mr. Todd was a nervous-looking, jumpy5 little man.,, who spQke_jjL |grks8 in such a way as to remind the Hstener of ajfirehcse through which water was being pumped intermit tently7. "How do you do, my dear sir? Delighted to have this pleasure," he began, and then suddenly stopped as he noticed the ojnlnous8 expression on the great man's brow. "I am sure I am very sorry that you were kept waiting, my dear sir; but I was at the moment engaged with an excellent and very rich testator " 9 Here he suddenly jumped and stopped again, for Mr. Meeson, without the slightest warning ejaculated 10: "Curse your rich testator! And look here, Todd, just you, see that it does not happen again. I'm a rich testator, too; 1 greep naar 5 Beweeglijk 2 gelijktijdig 6 met rukken 3 zonde? veel plichtplegingen 7 met tusschenpoozen er uit gedrongen 8 onheilspellend i splinternieuwe liefdadigheids- 9 erflaatster instelling 10 riep uit 149 and testators qjL_^KZ~»SS*.« ai"011'* accustomed to._be.bept st^di^j|bout just like office-boys or autbors. See that it_ dmVtJiappen again, Todd." "I am sure I am exceedingly grieved. Circumstances " "Oh, never mind all that —I want my will." "Will—will Forgive me—a little confused, that's all." Here he stopped and j e r k e d him se lf 2 out of the room to look for the document in question. "Little idiot!" mqttered8. Meeson; "I'ILg.j.v.ff .tfrfi sack4, too, if he isn't more careful. By Jove! why should I not have my own r^s,Xd^J.^SiÜJL^iSli? I could get a LPffJl-.-litJü ft.Jlft.lBra g 9 charact.e_r' for about £ 300 a year, and I pay that old Todd quite £ 2000. I^i^JS^JJonJtJoJt." Just then Mr. Todd returned with the will, and before he could begin to make any explanations, his employer cu.|jhim short with a sharp order to read the_jgj_sJ;,jpX~JiA.!.- This the lawyer went on to do. It was very short, an.1, with the exception of a few lejracies, amounting in all to about twenty thousand pounds, bequeathed 8 the testator's vast fortune and ejtaAes9, including his (by far the largest) interest10 in the great publishing house, and his palace, with the paintings and other valuable contents, known as Pompadour Hall, to his nephew, Eustace H. Meeson. "Very well," he said, when the reading was, „ finishecL; "now give it to me." i['',2Jf§ Mr. Todd obeyed, and handed the document to his patron, who deli^jBratelj11 rent it into fragments with his strong fingers, and then completed its destruction by tearing it 1 soort zijn Kerfstok heeft 2 schoot 7 het voornaamste er uit 3 mompelde 8 vermaken 4 zijn cong-é geven 9 bezittingen 5 geheel in mijn dienst staand 10 aandeel advokaat 11 kalm, vastberaden 6 een gladde vent die wat op 150 with his big white teeth. TJiisjicrie, he mixed the little pieces up, threw them on the floor, and stamped upon them with an air that almost frightened little Mr. Todd. "Now then," he said grimly, "there's an end of the old love; so let's on with the new. Take your pen and receive my instructions for my will." Mr. Todd did as he was told. "I leave all my property, real ,and personal1, to be divided in equal shares between my two partners, Alfred Tom Addison and Cecil Spooner Roscoe. There, that's short and sweet, and, one way and another, it means a couple of millions." niPpi "Good Heavens! sir," called out Mr. Todd. "Why, do you mean to quite cut out2 your nephew—and the other legatees3?" he added, by way of an afterthought. "Of course I do; that is, as regards my nephew. The legatees may stand as before." "Well, all I have to say," went on the little man, a_st o n i s hed into honesty 4, "is that this is the most shameful thing I ever heard of !" "Indeed, Mr. Todd, is it? Well, now may I ask you: am IJeaving tJtds_property or are you? Don't trouble yourself to answer that, however, but just attend 5. Either you draw up that will at once, while I wait, or you say goodbye.„tp. about £ 2000 a year; for that's what Meeson's business is worth, I reckon. Now you take your choice." Mr. Todd did take his choice. In under an hour the will, which was very short, was drawn and engrossed *. "Now then," said Meeson, addressing himself to Mr. Todd and the managing clerk, as he took the pén between his fingers to sign, "do you two bear in mind that at the 1 onroerend en roerend 4 zoo verbaasd, dat hij er 2 onterven eerlijk door werd 3 erfgenamen 5 luister 6 in 't net gecopiëerd 151 moment I execute this will I am of sound mind, memory, and understanding. There you are: now witness 1." H. Rider Haggard. (Mr.'Meeson's Will) 24. BEING A LANDLORD. | "All that messuage *. dwelling-house and premises 3 now standing on part of the said parcel of ground" was the phrase in the assignment of lease4, although it only meant Number Twenty-seven Mulberry Street, Old Ford, containing five rooms and a wash-house, and sharing a dirty front wall with the rest of the street on the same sjde. The phrase was a very fine one, and, with others more intricate lent not a,little to the triumph and the perplexity with which the transaction filled old Jack Randall. The business was a c o n j u n c tion of purchase and mortgage6, whereby old Jack Randall, having thirty pounds of his own, had after half-an-hour of helpless stupefaetion7 in a solicitor's8 office in Cornhill, bought a house for two hundred and twenty pounds, and paid ten pounds for stamps1 and fees9. The remaining twO hundred pounds had been furnished by the Indubitable Perpetual Building Society, on the security of a mortg_a_gje 10; and the loan 11, with its interest, was to be repaid in monthly mstalments12 of two pounds and fourpence during twelve years. Thus old Jack Randall wanted to 1 teeken als getuige 7 verbouwereerdheid 2 woonhuis met bijgebouwen 8 advocaat 3 pand 9 zegels en honoraria 4 overdracht van de erfpacht 10 gedekt door een hypotheek 5 ingewikkeld H leening 6 vereeniging van koop en 12 termijnen hypotheek 152 provide for1 the wants and infirmities2 of old age; and the purchase, he argued, was a thing of mighty easy accomplishment *: For the house let4 at nine shillings a week, which was twenty-three pounds eight shillings a year; and the mortgage instalments, with the ground rent5 of three pounds a year, only came to twenty-seven pounds four, leaving a difference of three pounds sixteen, which would be more than covered by a saving6 of eighteenpence a week: certainly not a difficult saving for a man with a regular job7 and no young family, who had put b y8 thirty pounds in little more than three years. Thus on many evenings old Jack Randall and his wife would figure put9 the thing, wholly forgetting r a t e s a n'd taxes and repairs 10. Old Jack stood on the pavement11 of Cornhill, and stared at the traffic12. When he remembered that Mrs. Randall was by his side he said, "Well, mother, we done it" ; and his wife replied, "Yus, fa,' you're a lan'lord13 now." Hereat he chuckled 14, and began to walk eastward. There is no trouble, no anxiety in the world if you are a landlord; and there is no work. You just walk round on Monday mornings, and you collect15 your rents: eight and six, or nine shillings, or ten shillings, a s the case mjax.jbe16. And there you are! It is better than shopkeeping because the money comes by itself 17; and it is infinitely more genteel18. Also, it is better than having money in a bank and drawing interest; because the house 1 zorgen voor 11 trottoir 2 gebreken 12 verkeer 3 zeer gemakkelijk te doen 13 huisheer 4 werd verhuurd 14 grinnikte 5 grondhuur, pacht 15 ophalen 6 besparing 16 naar gelang van omstandig- 7 vast werk heden 8 overgelegd 17 vanzeir 9 becijferen 18 netter, deftiger 10 gemeentelijke en rijksbelastingen en onderhoud 153 cannot run away as is the manner of directors 1, nor d i ssölve_inXo_n_oJ.^ 2 as is the way of banks. A_o_iJbere was he. Jack Eandall, walking down Leadenhall Street a landlord. He mounted a tramcar at Aldgate, and all things were real. n. Old Jack had always been old Jack since at fourteen young Jack had come as an apprentice 3 in the same en gin eturn&J.'j>* shop. Young Jack was a married man himself now, at another shop; and old Jack was near fifty. and nad s e.jh_i m s e 1 f t p,war d tj^jjj s A11 a|ong whitechapel Road, Mile End Road, and Bow Road he considered the shops and houses from the tram-roof, madly estimating 6 rent and values. Near Bow Road end he and his wife alighted, and went inspecting Twenty-seven Mulberry Street once more. They walked to and fro several times, judging the door and three windows from each side of the street, and in the end they knocked, with a purpose of reporting7 the completed purchase. But the tenant's8 wife, peeping feornJbelLmd J._bji^9, and seeing only the people who had already come spying 10 about the house some two or three times, retired to the back and went on with her weekly washing. They waited a little, repeated the knock, and then went away. The wole day was "off" 11 and a stroll12 in the Tower Hamiets Cemetery 13 was decided on for the rest of the afternoon. 1 commissarissen g huurder 2 totaal verdwijnen 9 rolgordijn 3 leerjongen \.tV- 10 spionneeren 4 metaaldraaier U vry 5 was gaan sparen | 12 wandeling 6 taxeeren 13 kerlthor 7 melden 154 rn. He took a half-day off to receive the first week's rent in state \ and Mrs. Randall went with him. He showed his written authority2 from the Ijst landlord, and the tenant's wife paid over the sum of nine shillings, giving him at the same time the rent-book to sign and a slip 3 of written paper. This last was a week's notice to terminate the tenancj\ "We're very well satisfied with the 'ouse," the tenant's wife said (she -was a painfully clean woman, with a notjable flavour" of yellow soap), "but my 'usband finds it fop fair to get to an' from Albert Docks mornin' and night. So we're goin' to West 'Am." And she politely ejected.6 her visitors by opening the door and crowding7 them through it. The want of a tenant was a contingency 8 that old Jack had never contemplated9. As long as it lasted it would \ necessitate the setting bv 10 of ten and sixpence a week for the building society payments and the ground rent. This was serious: it meant knocking off11 some of the butcher's meat, all the beer and tobacco, and perhaps a little firing 12. Old Jack resolved to waste13 no more halfdays in collecting, but to send hia missis14. On the following Monday, therefore, while the tenant's wife kept a sharp eye on the man who was piling a gree.ngroeer's va n15 with chairs and tables, Mrs. Randall fixed a "To Let" bill16 in the front window. In the leaves of the rent-book 1 in allen luister 9 overdenken 2 machtiging- 10 op zij leggen 3 stukje 11 verminderen, afschrijven 4 om de huur te laten arioopen 12 brandstof 5 onmiskenbare geur 13 verspillen o er uit zetten 14 vrouw 7 dringen 15 groentewagen 8 gebeurlijkheid 16 plakkaat 155 she found another thing of chagrin1: t o wit2, a notice demanding payment of poor, highway3 and general rates to the amount of one pound eighteen and sevenpence. Now, no thought of rates and taxes had ever vexed* the soul of old Jack. Of course, he might have known that his own landlord paid the rates for his house; but, indeed, he had never once thought of the thing, being content with faithfully paying the rent, and troubling no more about it. That night was one of dismal wakjg_fjQ_l_n_e,H s 5 for old Jack and his missis. If he had understood the transaction at the lawyer's office, he would have known that a large proportion of the sum due had been allowed him in the fin al adjustment8 of payment to the day; and if he had known something of the ways oj. r a t e-q o ] \ q g ing7, he would have understood that payment was not expected for at least a month. Ajjt_was, the glories of being a landlord gxjejw_ jdjjnj in his eyes, and a landlord seemed a poor creature, spending his money to keep roofs over the heads of strangers. IV. On Wednesday afternoon a man called about taking the house, and returned in the evening, when old Jack was at home. He was a large-featured. quick-eyed man, with a loud, harsh9 voice and a self-assertive10 manner. Quickly old Jack recognised him as a speaker he had'heard at certain street-corners: a man who was secretary, or del.eg.atej1, or tJa^t.j3oj±^f_thijagJ.. to something that old Jack had forgotten. He began with the announcement: "I am Joe Parsons": 1 nog iets dat haar ergerde 7 wijze van belasting innen 2 namelijk 8 tanen 3 straatbelasting | 9 nar(1 4 kwellen 10 aanmatigend 5 akelige slapeloosheid it afgevaardigde 6 eindvereffening n 156 delivered with a a t a r e for e m p h a s i bl, and followed by a pause. "I'm looking for a 'ouse," the man continued, "and if we can arrange things satisfactory, I might take yours." Mr. Joe Parsons was far above haggling 2 about the rent, but he had certain ideas as to painting and repairs that looked expensive 3. In the end old Jack promised t h e p a i n t a touch-up4, privily8 resolving to do the work himself in his evenings. And on the whole, Mr. Joe Parsons was wonderfully easy to come^tp term s with8, considering his eminent public character7. V. Old Jack did the painting, and the new tenant took P^JJ^êAi°i©J.- When Mrs. Randall called for the first week, a d r. a,g g l.g-t^^.etl9,,.,little woman with a black10 eye meekly11 informed her that Mr. Parsons was not at home, and had left no money nor any xncjsagjg,1* as to the rent. This was awkyjard13, because the first building society instalment would be due14 before next rent-day—to say nothing of the rates. But it would never do to off end 15 Mr. Parsons. So the money was scraped together16 by heroic means, and the first instalment was paid. Mrs. Randall called twice at Mulberry Street next rentday, but nobody answered her knocks. Old Jack, possessed by a m_Ls_t y n o t i o n 17 that rent was demandable onlyon Monday morning, called no more for a week. But on 1 met strakken blik geuit, om 8 betrok het huis er klem aan bij te zetten 9 slordige, slonzige 2 dingen, marchandeeren 10 blauw 3 kostbaar 11 deemoedig 4 dat 't huis wat zou worden 12 boodschap opgeschilderd 13 lastig 5 stilletjes 14 betaalbaar 6 verbazend gemakkelijk om 15 beleedlgen mee tot een accoord te komen 16 bij elkaar scharrelen 7 groote naam ln de wereld 17 vaag Idee 157 Thursday evening a stout1 little stranger, with a bald2 head which he wiped continually, came to the Bandalls to ask if the tcnanj; of Tweirty-seven Mulberry Street was Mr. Joe Parsons. Assured that it was, he nodded3, said "Thanks! that's all," wiped hiifhead again, and started to go. Then he paused, and "Pay his rent regular?" he asked. Old Jack hesitate_d *. "Ah, thought so," said the little stranger. "He's a wrong 'un. I've got a bit o' paper for 'im." And he clapped on his hat with the handkerchief in it and vanished. VI. Old Jack feit unhappy, for a landlord. He and the missis reproached themselves for not askuig the little stranger certain questions; but he had gone. Next Monday morning old Jack took anotibjer_J^alfday, and went to Mulberry Street himself. Prom appearances, he assured himself that a belief, entertained b y his m i s b i s "f that the upper part of his house was being subiet 6, was wel 1-t o u n d e d7. He watched awhile from a corner, until a dirty child kicked at the door, and it was opened. Then he went across and found the draggle-tailed woman who had answered Mrs. Randall before, in_eyery_j^s^ecjLthe same to look at, except that not one eye was black but two. Old Jack, with some abrnptness8, demanded his rent of her, addressing her as Mrs. Parsons. Without disc 1 a i m i n g_ tj^n jnn e9, she said uneasily that Mr. Parsons really wasn't at home, and she didn't know when to expect him. At last, finding this i n e f f e c t u a lï0. she produced11 1 dik 7 op waarheid berustte 2 kaal 8 barschheid 3 knikken 9 zonder te ontkennen, dat dit 4 aarzelen haar naam was 5 wat zijn vrouw geloofde 10 dat dit niet hielp 6 onderverhuurd 11 te voorschijn halen Jansonlus, Handelsleesboek. 11 158 four and sixpence: begging him with increasing agitation 1 to take that ojijjjcjjojjjüj!; 2 and call again. Old Jack took the money, and called again at seven. Custom or law or what-not, he would wait for no Monday morning now. The door was open, and a group of Mstening children stood about it. From within came a noise of knocks and thuds 3 and curses. Old Jack asked a small boy whose position in the passage betokened residenpe', what was going forward. "It's the man downstairs," said the boy, "a-givin' of it to 'is wife for payin' awy the lodgers' rent5.'' At this moment Mr. Joe Parsons appeared in the passage. "Pye come for myrent/' said old Jack. Mr7 Joe Parsons saw no retreat8. So he said, "Rent? Ain't you 'ad it? I don't bot her about7 things in the 'ouse. Come again when my wife's in." "She is in," rejoined old Jack, "an' you/ye been alandin' of 'er8 for payin' me what little she 'as. Come, you pay me what you owe me, and take a week's no*Jjl.ê.JR»0JwJL- I want my house kep' respectable." Mr. Joe Parsons had npMiiothej,shiftJ°. "You be damned," he said. "Git out." "What?" gasped11 old Jack—for to teil a landlord to get out of his own house! .... "What?" "Why, git out. Y'ought to know better than comin' 'ere askin' for money you ain't earnj12." "Ain't earnt? What d'ye mean?" "What I say. Y'aint earnt it. It's you blasted 13 lan'lords 1 onrust 8 hebt haar er van langs gegeven 2 op rekening 9 je kunt er met een week uitgaan 3 stompen 10 ultvlucbt 4 toonde dat bij daar woonde 11 er met moeite uitbrengen 5 huur der medebewoners 12 verdiend 6 terugtocht 13 vervloekte 7 zich Iets aantrekken van 159 as sgeJksJL the blood o' the workers. You go an' work for your money." Old Jack was confounded2. "Why—what—how d'ye think I can pay the rates, an' everythink?" "I don't care. You'11 'ave to pay 'em, an' I wish they was 'igher. They ought to be the same as the rent, 'an that 'ud do away with3 fellere like you. Go on: you do your best an' get your rent best way you can." "But what about upstairs? You're let tin' it out4 an' takin' the rent there. I—" "That's none o' your business. Git out, will ye?" They had gradually worked over the doorstep, and Bandall was on. the pavement5. "I sha'n't pay, an' I sha'n't go, an* ye can do what ye like; so it's no good your stoppin'—unless you want to fight. Eh—do ye?" And Mr. Parsons put a foot over the threshold. Old Jack had not fought for many years. It was low. For a landlord outside bis own house it waj_, indeed, disgraceful. But it was quite dark now, and there was scarcely a soul in the street. Perhaps nobody would know, and this man deserved something for himself. He looked up the street again, and then, "Well, I ain't so young as I was," he said," "but I won't disappoint ye. Come on." Mr. Joe Parsons stepped within and slanrmed' the door. VII. Old Jack went home less happy than ever. He had nö notion what to do. Difficulties of private life were often discussed an d ar g u e 4 o ut7 in the workshop *, but there he had become too unpopular to ask for a^|hingwn3.„. the n^tur^ii.tpj..sympathy or advice. Not only would he lend 1 ultzuigren 5 trottoir 2 stond verstomd 6 dichtslaan 3 opruimen 7 besproken en opgelost 4 verhuurt het 8 werkplaats 160 no money, but he refused t o: ^tand tr ea t1 on rent days. Also, there was a collection on behalf of m en on strike2 at another factory, to which he gave nothing; and he had expressed the strongest disapproval of an extensign.8 of that strike, and his own intention to continue working if it happened. For what would become of all his plans and his savings if his wages ceased?4 Wherefore there was no other man in the shop so unpopular as old Jack, and in a workshop unpopularity is a bad thing. He called on a professional rent-receiver and seller-up5. This man knew Mr. Joe Parsons very well. He never had furniture upon which a profitable distress might be 1 e v i e d \ But if he took lodgers, and they were quiet people, something might be got out of them—if the job were made worth while7. But this was not at all what old Jack wanted. Soon after it occurred to him to ask advice of the secretary of the building society. This was a superficial8 young man, an auctioneer's9 clerk until evening, who had nö disposition 10 to trouble himself about matters outside his duties. Still, he went so far as to assure old Jack that turning out11 a tenant who meant to stay was not a simple job. If you didn't mind losing the rent, it might be done by watching until the house was left ungarrisoned 12, getting m, putting the furniture into the street, and keeping the tenant out. With this forlorn18 hope old Jack began to spend his leisure about Mulberry Street: ineffectually 14, for Mrs. Parsons never came out while he was there. Ónce 1 traMeeren 8 opperviakkl|r t „.!k?„. 9 vendumeester 3 uitbreiding- 10 nel , i niet doorging (J er u,t , l wLnnUr°P, r T beT°eP 12 zonaer dat er *emana «n was 6 waarop met voordeel beslag 13 geringe „ fi6^,,^" W°rden 14 zontler succes 7 behoorlijk betaald werd 161 he saw the man, and offered to forgive him the rent if he would leave: a proposal which Mr. Parsons received with much merriment1. At this old Jack's patience gave out2, and he punched his tenant on the ear. Whereat the latter, suddenly whitening in the face, said something about the police, and walked away at a good pace. vin. The strike extended, as it was expected to do. The men at old Jack's factory were ordered out', and came, excepted only old Jack himself. He was desperate. Since he had ventured on that cursed investment4, everything had gone wrong: but he would not lose his savings if mere personal risk would preserve them. Moreover, a man of fifty is not readily re-employed5, once out; and as the firm was quite ready to keep one hand on to oil8 and see that things were in order, old Jack stayed: making his comings and goings late to dodge the pickets7, and approaching secretly by a railway-arch stable and a lane thereunto. It was not as yet a very great strike, and with care these things could be done. Still, he was s i g h t e d and cha sed8 twice, and he knew that if the strike lasted, and feeling grew hotter9, he would be attacked in his own house. If only he could hold on through the strike, and by hook or crook keep the outgoings paid10, he would attend to11 Mr. Parsons afterward. IX. One Saturday afternoon, as Mrs. Eandall was buying 1 vroolljkheid 7 om de posten te ontgaan 2 raakte op 8 gesignaleerd en achtervolgd 3 werd gelast te staken 9 de gemoederen meer verhit 4 geldbelegging raakten 5 wordt niet gauw weer aan- 10 op een of andere wijze de uitgenomen gaven blijven betalen 6 de machines te smeren 11 afrekenen met 162 greens and potatoes, old Jack, waiting without, strolied toward a crowd standing about a speaker. A near approach discovered the speaker to be Mr. Joe Parsons, who was saying:— . ' "~,S * r 1 k 6 P a y 1 is little enough, of course, but don't forget what it will lead to! An' strike pay does very well my fnens, when a person knows *ow t o 1 a y i t o u ta' an don't go passin' it on to the lan'lord. Don't give it away.' When the lan lord comes o' Monday mornin', teil 'im (polite as you like) that there's nothink for 'im till there's more for you. Let the lan'lord earn 'is money, like me an' you. Let the lan'lords pay a bit towards this 'ere strike as well as the other blackguards3, the employers*. Lan'lords git qmte enough out o' you, my feller workers, when—" "They don't git much out o' you!" shouted old Jack in his wrath8; and then feit sorry he had. spoken. For everybody looked at him, and he knew some of the faces. "Ho !" rejoined8 the speaker. "There's a gent there as seems to want to address this 'ere meetin'. PVaps you'11 ave the kindness to step up 'ere, my friend, an' say wat you got to say plain." Old Jack wished himself out of it. "You pay me what you owe me," he growled. ' "As this 'ere individual ain't got anythink to say for ïsself," pursued Mr. Joe Parsons, "I'll explain things for 'im. That's my lan'lord that is: look at 'im! 'E' comes 'angin' round my door waitin' for a chance to turn my pore wife an' children out o 'ouse' and 'ome. 'E comes 'ere my feller workers, as a spy', an' to try an* set you agin me as devoted 8 my 'ole life to your int'rests. That's the sort o' man 'e is. But 'e's somethink more than a greedy lan'lord, 1 ultkeerlng- aan stakers | 5 toorn, woede ? «esteden 6 hervatte 3 schurken 7 splon * P<«roons 8 wijden 163 I my frien's, an' IT1 teil you wot. 'E's a blackleg1; that's wot I else 'e is. 'E's the on'y man as wouldn't come out o' Maidment's2; an' 'e's workm' there now, skulkin' in an' out in the dark—a dirty rat! Now you all know very f well I won't 'ave nothink to do with any violence or intimiI dation3. But this I will say, that when a dirty low rat, not I content with fattenin' 4 on starvin' tenants, goes an' takes I the bread out o' 'is feller men's mouths, like that blackleg— blackleg!—blackleg!—'' Old Jack was down. A dozen heavy boots were at work about his head and belly. In from the edge of the crowd a woman tore her way, shedding potatoes as she ran, and I screaming; threw herself upon the man on the ground; and shared the kicks. Over the shoulders of the kickers whirled the buckle-end of a belt. "One for the old cow," said a voice. X. When a man is lying helpless on his back, with nothing in hand, he pays nothing off a building society mortgage, because, as his wife pawns5 the goods of the house, the resulting money goes for necessaries. Tó such a man the society shows no useless grace: especially when the secretary has a friend always ready to take over a forfeited8 house at forced sale price7. So the lease of Twenty-seven vanished8, and old Jack's savings with it. And one day, some months later, old Jack, supported by the missis and a stick, took his way across the workhouse forecourt9. Arthur Morrison. (Tales of Mean Streets) 1 onderkruiper 6 verbeurd 2 mee staken bij M. 7 gedwongen verkoopsprijs 3 terroriseering 8 verdween 9 voorplein van bet armhuis 164 25. A CHRISTMAS SPIDER. I "Mr. Somers, I believe?" George Somers screwed 1 round on his swivel-chair2 inquiringly. "Yes," he replied brusquely. "You are a member of the Town Council?" "Yes." "My name is Grosvenor. Could I have a word with you, relative to the Banks paving propositi'on3 now before the Council?" Somers eyed him sharply for an instant, then glanced at the clock above his desk. "If you can wait twenty minutes until the office closes— my time is not my own here." "Certainly." "Will you take a seat in the anteroom4?" His visitor bowed and withdrew, and Somers turned again to the long columns of figures. When the clock struck five he heard it unheeding8, and the office was entirely deserted, when fifteen minutes later he closed the ledger0 with a satisfied sigh, and wearily took down his hat and coat. In the outer office he stopped with a start at the sight of Grosvenor. "I beg pardon, I must have given you a long wait. I found an error in my figures, and quite forgot our appointment V "No matter1—no matter—a man can af ford8 to wait on 1 draalde 5 zonder er op te letten 2 draaistoel 6 grootboek 3 voorstel omtrent bestrating 7 afspraak i wachtkamer 8 kan wel 165 his own business," said his visitor with a suave1 smile. "I—ah—I have the honour to represent the Banks Company in this paving proposition. You, of course, know something of our people—there isn't a straighter2 Corporation doing business in the country, and—" "The business you spoke of?" interrupted Somers. "Yes, to be sure. I'm taking your time. My business is simply this, Mr. Somers. We want to do this work for your city, and we want your influence to get the job3. Our people are straight, and are willing to pit4 their work agamst that of any company in the field5; but I don't need to teil a man of your intelligence that it takes more than honesty and square dealing6 in these days to get a contract. We're an outside7 company, and the local company has the pull8 against us. Our people realise• this, and I have been authorised to lay the matter personally before the councillors 10, to demonstrate 11 that with our large capital, we can do better work for less money than the local company " Mr. Grosvenor panted12 for breath, and Somers interrupted curtly 13: "The city has advertisedforsealed bids 14— if your proposition is the best, you have nothing to fear from the local company. It isn't a question of people with the Council—we want the best work for the least money, and we'11 take it where we can get it." "Certainly, Mr. Somers, of course, that is, theoretically— the Council considers only the best interests of the city— practically—well, we business men understand that we must 1 zoetsappige 9 inzien 2 eerlijker 10 raadsleden 3 werk, karweitje 11 aantoonen 4 laten concürreeren 12 hijgde 5 mededingende 13 kortaf 6 eerlijk handelen 14 aanbiedingen bij gesloten 7 vreemd, uit een andere stad briefjes gevraagd 8 voorsprong 166 look out for our own interests as well. Why, nobody but a fooi could expect a man to take the time from his private1 business and give it to public affairs for the pittance2 a councillor gets. He must make his little commission on the quiet3 or he ia robbing his own family, and as long as it doesn't come out of 4 the city, it's perfectly legitimate5. Firms bidding for expensive public works can't expect councillors to spend the time necessary to in, vestigate 6 their work without some little compensation7 for their time and trouble. Our people have recognised this from the start8 and " "Do I understand you to be offering me a bribe * for my influence?" Somers' tone was icy10, and he rose from his chair with an impatient gesture "Certainly not! Our people are above such meanness12. We merely ask you to take the time to investigate our work thoroughly, confident that such investigation will convince you of its merits 13. It is a straight14 business proposition, and a thousand dollars is none too much for the labour and responsibility of deciding on a big contract." Mr. Grosvenor leaned forward in his earnestness and scrutinised 18 Somers closely.' Somers' face was flushed18. "Really, Mr. Grosvenor, you must excuse me; I have other business this evening." "Certainly, certainly—I beg your pardon for detaining 17 you so long. I will call again later." Mr. Grosvenor rose in turn18. 1 Particuliere 10 koua 2 karig loon u beweg.ln 3 heimelijk, stilletjes 12 iaagneW 4 betaald wordt door 13 verdienste 5 gewettigd u eertlJk 6 onderzoeken 15 opnemen 7 vergoeding 16 rooa ! te*» 17 ophouden 8 steekpenning 18 op zljn beun 167 "It is entirely useless. Your bid will be carefully considered with the others." "Of course, I admire your disinterestedness x, but it will be no trouble at all for me to call round at, say, five tomorrow afternoon. Don't say no. You don't bind yourself to anything, and I have some specifications I'd like you to look over. Good-bye." And Mr. Grosvenor departed briskly", utterly deaf to Mr. Somers' protestations that further calls3 were unnecessary. II. Five minutes later Mr. Somers found' himself in the office of a private loan company*. "About that promissory note 5, Jackson." "Yes, glad to see you—I was just going to drop6 you another card about it. Sorry, but we can't allow postponement7 any longer.'' The lines in Somers' face deepened. "I thought if I could pay half down, perhaps you would renew the balance8 for ninety days." "Awfully sorry, George, but the boss9 says no; you've been getting behind on other things lately, and he's heard of it." "It's about 500 dollars with that last interest, isn't it?" "508 dollars 50 cents." "Well, I'll see what I can do." "You won't neglect it—Ellis is on his high h o r s e 10 just now." "No." 1 belangeloosheid 6 schrijven 2 vlu? 7 uitstel van betaling 3 bezoeken 8 voor oet salao uitstei geven 4 voorschotbank 9 patroon 5 promesse 10 er valt niet met hem te praten 168 Somers walked down the street dispiritedlyl. "I could take this month's salary and stand off the bil ls2, I suppose," he said to himself, "and I guess Belle would let me have that one hundred dollars her mother sent her to go home on. Poor girl, 1 hate to ask it—she needs the change, and it'11 knockon the head3 every bif of Christmas for the children—poor little ones!" III. "Belle, would you mind, -if we don't have any Christmas this year, wife?" "Why, I don't quite know how much that means, George. I don't want you to give me anything, and I suppose we could go without a turkey dinner and skip * some of the friends. But, of course, it wouldn't do to disappoint the children." "I am afraid the children's presents must go, too." "Why, George, we couldn't. Why, what's happened?" "That old note—I thought I could pay half and get5 them to carry * the rest, but Jackson came down on me and said they'd got to have the money." "But you can't raise7 it, George, it isn't possible. What we should save on Christmas wouldn't be a beginning." t "Belle, I've got to raise it. If I don't they'11 sue* me, and I'll lose my place. My principal is mighty particular 9 about his men, and I handle 10 a good deal of money at times. It wouldn't mend11 matters, if he knew I borrowed the original 450 dollars to speculate on, either." "But you thought the stocks12 were so safe!" 1 neerslachtig: 7 opnemen 2 rekening uitstellen 8 in rechten aanspreken 3 onmogelijk maken 9 kieskeurig 4 overslaan, niet vragen 10 gaat door mijn handen 5 bewegen n beter maken 6 uitstellen, to carry forward j 12 fondsen, effecten 169 "Yes, the more fooi I! Duval needn't worry1; I'm cured 2 of that fever, and I'm not a big enough fooi to take money that doesn't belong to me, if I wasn't. I don't know but the rest of you would be better off if I were behind the ba r s3—or under the earth! I'm such a flat failure4." "You're not a failure, and our luck will turn some day —see if it doesn't 1" She slipped oyer and knelt beside him, stroking his forehead. "You're always hopeful, Belle. If it hadn't been for you I'd have given up long ago." "Now listen to me," she continued. "IT1 take some of that money mether sent; so you don't need to worry about the children's Christmas—I can wait to go home." Somers groaned. "That's just it, Belle, we've got to have your poor little hundred to meet 8 that note." The grief in her face stung him past control. "There is one way out of this!" He sprang to his feet and began pacing up and down the room. "I was offered a thousand dollars to-day for my vote 8 for the Banks paving contract which comes before the Town Council7 next week. That'd pay the note, give us a fine Christmas, and start us right for the rest of the winter besides, all for the trifling consideration3 of a man's honour!—which is a mighty small consideration nowadays. You'd like me to do it, wouldn't you?" "George! You know such talk hurts' me a hundred times worse than giving up my money and a dozen 1 bezorgd zijn 6 stem 2 genezen 7 bij den Raad in behandeling 3 achter de tralies komt i totale mislukking S geringe vergoeding 5 betalen 9 zeer doen 170 Christmases. I wouldn't advise you to do anything di honourable for the world, and you know it. I was onl thinking your father might help us out—I know mine woul< if he were alive." "Well, he won't. I've never asked him for a cent bi once—that time you had the operation, and you know whs he sent—25 dollars—with a surgeon's1 bill of 300 dollai staring üs in the face, not to mention incidentals2. W weathered3 that storm, and I guess we'11 pull through this Forgive me, little woman, I'm half beside myself to-nighl 1 can't bear to have you and the children suffer through m stupidity. But it seems as if everything I do results in failure, and Heaven knows I try hard enough." IV. Somers looked years older when Grosvenor, prompt on thi stroke of the hour, entered the office the next day. The latte: started at sight of his haggard4 face, then patted5 a fa wallet6 in his inner breast-pocket complacently1. "Good evening, Mr. Somers; beautiful winter weathei we're having. I've always heard your climate praised, and ii this is a sample you can't say too much about it. You're looking tired—not ±11, I trust?—these winter colds are sometimes trying 8. A hot whiskey and a foot-bath before you turn in9 ought to set you right." "Thank you, I am not ill—a bit fagged10." "Ah! Now about that little matter. It seems really too bad to trouble you, especially as our work appears to be so well known here that the acceptance of our offer ia * ?Umre I 6 portefeuille 2 bijkomende onkosten 7 met welbehagen 3 doorkomen 8 pakken Je aan < bleek, ontdaan „ 8aat slapen klopte op I 10 moe, op 171 practically assured. But naturally it would gratify1 us to have the approval of all the solid2 men in the Council, and your character and position are so well known, Mr. Somers, that we should prize your endorsements. And as to that other matter of—compensation, I know you are conscientious 4 enough to look into our work thoroughly before coming to a decision, but it is really an injustice to yourself and family to use your time and strength on other people's m- interests without some return8. "We're morally, if not legally6, in your debt. We want you to understand from the begmning that we don't desire to influence your vote in the Council—om work can stand on its own merits. We don't ask you to make any pledgeT —we simply want to do the fair thing by8 you, as we expect you to be square0 with us." For a full minute after Grosvenor had stated his case, Somers sat silent; then he spoke, deliberately 10 at first, thenj hurriedly, as his fatigue and excitement overcame11 him. "You are rightly informed, Mr. Grosvenor, as to my being hard up12. The devil is a clever scoundrel18; he doesn't tempt you when you are flush 14—he waits till every dollar is gone." "It is, perhaps, not necessary to teil you that during the many years' struggle that I have gone through, I have had the ideals of my youth considerably modified. I have learned by sad experience that family is a myth—that dress and breeding18 are merely ornamental accompanim e n t s 16 of dollars—that education is useful just so far as [1 streelend zijn voor 9 eerlijk 2 degelijke 10 bedaard 3 steun 11 overmeesterden 4 nauwgezet, consciëntieus 12 ln geldverlegenheid 5 beloonlng, vergoeding 13 schelm 6 -wettelijk 14 goed bij kas, flush of money 7 belofte 15 een goede opvoeding 8 billijk behandelen 16 sieraden heli lollars, that i 172 it helps you to earn dollars, that courtesy1 is reserved for those who have dollars, and that the ablest man is the man who can make most dollars! ^ "I've learned my lesson well, and I've also learned that I'm a dead failure at getting those desirable dollars. I've given up my early ideals—all but one! "It may be childish, but I've clung to my honour, to hand my father's namè down to my boy clean and unsullied 2 as it came to me; and this resolve has helped me on my feet after every failure; it has saved me my self-respect and helped me to look my wife and children in the eyes unshamed 3. Mr. Grosvenor, if I accept your proposition, I am dishonoured. No, I may not be worth much, but I'm not for sale!" Grosvenor sat for a minute dazed. When he could gather himself together, he replied with grim4 humour: "Well, I may be the devii, Mr. Somers, and I may not be your style of man; but if you don't mind I'd like to shake hands with you." V. About a week later Mr. Grosvenor on his way east accidentally met his chief in the Union Station at St. Louis. They took advantage of a quiet corner on the platform 5 to transact6 a little business, ignoring a grey-headed old gentleman reading near by. At a certain point- in their conversation, the old gentleman suddenly lost interest in his paper and listened shamelessly. Grosvenor's closing s e n t e n c e 7 did not seem displeasing to him. "I teil you he's the very man for Henefer's place— gentleman, good accountant, fine education, and as to his ï ^'-feW I 5 perron S vlekkeloos 6 „rdom 3 zonder schaamte 7 glotzln * grimmig* 173 honesty, if you need any further assurance after what I've told you, I'll bond 1 him for a quarter of a million myself." On the following morning Mr. George Somers, laid up wi t h what the doctors were pleased to term n e r v o u s prostration2, received the following telegrams: Have wireds ten thousand dollars to your account— Xmas gift. Father. Will you accept auditor's* position with Banks Paving Company? Salary six thousand dollars per annum. Theodore F. Banks, President. Leander Ritchie. (A Christmas Spider.) 26. A MEBRY CHEISTMAS. David Harum, a self-made banker and landed proprietor* in the American village of Homeville, is a very eccentric person, in whose mind the serious and the facetious 6 seem to have no well-defined boundar i e s T, and who is often a puzzle even to those who know him best, such as his clerk and later on partner in the business, Mr. John Lenox. Though David is capable of a sharp bargain, he has a heart of gold, as is shown in the following episode. It was the 23rd of December, and shortly after the closing hour. John had just locked the vault8, when David came into the office and around behind the counter9. "Are you in any hurry?" he asked. John said he was not, whereupon Mr. Harum hitched10 1 borg- staan voor 6 grappige 2 te bed wegens zenuwuitputting 7 scherp omlijnde grenzen 3 telegrafisch over laten schrlj- 8 Muis ven 9 balie i accountant 10 heesch 5 grondbezitter Jansonius, Handelsleesboek. 12 174 himself up into a high office stool1, and leaned sideways upon the desk2, while John stood facing him with his left arm upon the desk. • "John," said David, "do you know the Widow Cullom?" "No," said John, "but I know who she is—a till, thin woman, who walks with a slightlimp3. I noticed her and asked her name, because there was something about her looks that attracted my attention—as though at some time she might have seen better days." "That's the person," said David, "she has seen better days, but she has eat and drunk sorrow mostly for thirty years, and very little else a good share of the time, I suppose." "She has that appearance certainly," said John. "Yes," said David, "she's had a pretty tough4 time, and yet," he proceeded, after a momentary pause, "there was a time when the Culloms were among the best people of this whole region 5. They owned a quarter of the country, and they lived in the big house up on the hill where Hays lives now." Here Mr. Harumi turned on his stool, put his right hand into his coat pocket, extracted5 therefrom part of a paper of "Maple Dew"7, and replenished8 his left cheek with anamplewadof "fine-cut9." John took advantage of the break to head off10 what he had reason to fear might turn into a lengthy digression11 from the matter in hand12by saying, "I beg pardon, but how does it happen that Mrs. Cullom is in such circumstances? Has the family all died out?" "Well," said David, "they're most of them dead, all of them, in fact, except the widow's boy Charley. 1 kruk 7 soort tabak 2 lessenaar 8 weer 3 een beetje mank 9 een flinke pruim fijne snede 3 harde 10 afwenden 6 streek 11 uitweiding 6 er uit balen 12 bet onderwerp van 't gesprek 175 "Old Billy, Cullom's father, inherited all the property— never did a stroke1 of work in his life. He had a college education, went to Europe, and all that, and before he was fifty years old he hardly ever came near the old place after he had grown up. The land was all farmed out o n shares2, and his farmers mostly deceived him the whole time. Whenever he wanted money—and he wanted it pretty often, I teil you—the easiest way was to give a mortgage; and after a time he had to give a mortgage to pay the interest on the other mortgages." "But," said John, "was3 there nothing to the estate* but land?" "Oh, yes," said David, "old Billy's father left him some considerable personal s, but after that was gone he went into the mortgage business, as I told you. "When young Cullom was twenty-five or so, he got married on the quiet, you know, because he knew the old people would kick—well, that killed the old man. It took the gumption6 all out of him, and he didn't live a year. Cullom now had a nominal title to7 a good deal of property, but the equity 8 in most of it, if it had been put up for sale, wasn't enough to pay for the papers. You see, there has never been any real cash va 1 u e 9 in farm property in these parts10. There have been hardly a dozen changes in farm titles11, except by inheritance or foreclosure12, in thirty years. So Cullom made no effort to sell. He just had the deeds 13 made out and handed them over when the time came to settle the mortgages. There were some village 1 slag: 8 overschot na aftrek der hy- 2 met aandeel ln de opbrengst potheek 3 behoorde 9 contante waarde 4 bezitting- 10 streek 5 roerend goed 11 eigendommen 6 fut 12 verkooplng wegens hypotheek- 7 ü> naam recht op schuld 13 akten, eigendomsbewijzen 176 lots1 though, that were clear2, that fetched him ins some money from time to time until they were all gone but one, and that is the one his widow lives on now. Six or seven years after he married, he died and left her with a boy to raise 4. How she got along all those years till Charley got big enough to help, I don't know. She took in sewlng 5 and washing, and went out to cook and nurse6, and all that, but I think there were now and then times when they didn't overload their stomachs7 much." John, who had listened with more attention than interest— wondering8 the while as to what the narrative9 was leading up to—thought something might properly be expected of mm to show that he had followed it, and said, "So Mrs. Cullom has kept this last piece clear, has she?" "No," said David, bringing down his right hand upon the desk with emphasis 10, "that's just what she hasn't done. "About seven years ago, her son Charley got married, and then he said that, if he had some money he'd go West and take up some land, and get along quite well. He thought that if his mother would raise a thousand dollars on her place, he'd be sure to take care of the interest, and probably pay off the principal11 in almost no time. Well, she did it and off he went. And that's how I come to teil you something of the story, and more of it than you've oared to hear perhaps. | "Not at all," John protested. "I have been very much mterested. "You have, have you?" said Mr. Harum. "Well, I have got something I want you to do. The day after to-morrow 1 stukken land, perceelen - m,M„ 2 onbezwaard I mafen 3 opbrachten ? zlcn afvr8»end i grootbrengen ° 5 naaiwerk - ? 6 bakeren 11 n°ofason- 177 is Christmas, and I want you to drop Mrs. Cullom a line1, something like this. 'That Mr. Harum told you to say that that mortgage he holds.having been overdue* for some time, and no interest having been paid for, let me see, more than a year, he wants to close the matter up3, and he'11 see her on Christmas morning at the bank at nine o'clock, he having more time on that day; but that, as far as he can see, the business won't take very long' —. something like that, you understand?" "Very well, sir," said John, hoping that his employer would not see in his face the disgust * and repugnance 8 he feit as he surmised6 what a scheme was on foot, and recalled7 what he had heard of his unscrupulous 8 ways. Peleg Popkins, the office boy, grumbled audibly 9 when he was requested to lay the fires on Christmas day; but when John opened the door of the bank that morning, he found the temperature in comfortable contrast to the outside air. The weather had changed again, and a blinding snowstorm, accompanied by a gale10 from the north-west, made it almost impossible to see a path and to keep it. As John went behind the counter, the door opened; a blast11 and whirl of wind and snow rushed in, ushering 12 the tall, bent form of the Widow Cullom. The drive of the wind was so strong that John vaulted18 over the low cash counter to push the door shut again. Tne poor woman was white with snow from the front of her old hood 14 to the bottom of her ragged skirt18. 1 een briefje schrijven 9 hoorbaar, harflop 2 achterstallig: 10 storm 3 de zaak beëindigen 11 rukwind •4 walging 12 aandienend, aankondigend 5 afkeer 13 sprong 6 giste 14 kap 7 zich herinnerde 15 gerafelde rok 8 gewetenloos 178 "You are Mrs. Cullom?" said John. "Wait a moment till I brush off the snow, and then come to the fire in the back room. Mr. Harum will be in directly, I expect." "Am I very late," she asked. "I made as much haste as I could. It doesn't appear to me as if I ever saw a worse day, and I am not as strong as I used to be. Seemed! as if 1 never should get here." "Oh, no," said John, as he established 1 her before the glowing stove in the bank parlour2, "not at all. Mr. Harum has not come in himself yet. Shall you mind if I excuse myself a moment, while you make yourself as comfortable as possible?" She did not apparently hear him. She was trembling from head to foot with cold and fatigue and nervous excitement. John meanwhile ran to Mr. Harum's house, to fetch some dry and warm clothing for the poor old woman. When he got back to the office, David had just preceded him. Ten minutes later, Mrs. Cullom was sitting at one corner of the fire, and David drew a chair opposite3 to her. "Feeling all right now?" he asked, with a laugh. "Yes, thank you," was the reply; "the warm things are really comforting. You have got a kind streak4 in you, Harum, even if you did send me this note—but I suppose you know your own business," she added, with a sigh of resignation. "I have feared for a good while I couldn't hold on to that property, though I have hoped against hope that Charley would be able to do more than he has." "Let's see the note," said David, curtly 8. "H'm, humph, 'regret to say that I have been instructed by Mr. Harum'— well, h'm'm, 'must be closed up without further 1 plaatste . 4 karaktertrek 2 achterkamer 5 kort 3 tegenover 179 delay1, well, yes, that's about what I told Mr. Lenox to say as far as the business part's concerned2—I might have done my own regretting if I'd written the note myself." (John said something to himself.) 'T isn't the pleasantest thing in the world for you, I allow, but then, you see, business is business." John heard David clear his throat, and there was a hiss 3 in the open fire. Mrs. Cullom was silent, and David resumed 4: "You see, Mrs. Cullom, it's like this. I have been thinking of this matter for a good while. That place has been no real good to you since the first year you signed that mortgage. You have scarcely made both ends meet5, let alone the interest, and it's been simply a question of time, who'd get the property in the long run6. I might let the thing run a spell longer if I could see any use in't, but there isn't, and so I asked you to come up this morning so that we could settle the thing without any trouble, nor lawyers' fees7, nor anything. I've got the papers all drawn up", and John—Mr. Lenox—is here to witness the9 signatures. You have no objection to winding the thing up10 this morning, have you?" "I suppose I'U have to do whatever you say," replied the poor woman, in a tone of hopeless discourage ment, "and I might as well be killed at once as to die by inch pieces." "All right then," said David, cheerfully, ignoring11 her last words; "but before we get down to business and signing papers, and in order to set myself in as fair a light as I can in the matter, I want to teil you a little story." 1 onverwijld 7 honorarium 2 betreft s opstellen 3 8"esls 9 getuigen te zijn bij 4 hernam 10 beëindigen 5 rondkomen 11 g-een acht slaan 6 op den langen duur 180 "I have no objection that I know of," acquiesced 1 the widow. "All right," said David. "Well, Mrs. Cullom, you used to know something about my folks. I was raised 2 on Buxton Hill. There were nine of us, and I was the youngest of the lot. My father farmed a piece of about forty or fifty acres, and had a small shop where he did at odd times small jobs of tinkering3 for the neighbours, when there was nothing to do. My mother was his second wife, and I was the only child of that marriage. He married again when I was about two years old, and how I ever got raised is more than I can teil you. "I got three or four years' schooling, and learned to read and write and cipher up to division before I got through, but after I got to be six years old, school or nö school, I had to work regularly at anything I had strength for, and more too." "Once, when I was between thirteen and fourteen, there was a circus billed4 down here in HomeviUe, and every barn and shed5for miles around had pictures stuck on to them of elephants, and rhinoceroses, and every animal that went into the ark ; and how there was to be a grand performance 8 at two o'clock; admission7 twenty-five cents, children under twelve, etcetera, and so forth. I had no more notion 8 of going to that circus than I had of kingdom to come. I'd never had two shillings of my own in my whole life. But the more I thought of it, the uneasier I got. Something seemed pulling9 and hauling10 at me, and finally I slipped away from my work. "When I got down to the village it seemed to me as if 1 toestemmen 6 voorstelling 2 groot gebracbt 7 entree 3 ketellappen 8 idee 4 door aanplakbiljetten aange- 9 trekken kondigd 10 sleuren 5 scbuur en loods 181 the whole population of Freeland County was there. I'd never seen so many folks together in my life, and for a time it seemed to me as if everybody was looking at me and saying, 'That's old Harum's boy Dave, playing hookey1.' "As I was standing gaping round, listening to the band2 and watching the folks get their tickets, all of a sudden I feit a twitch3 at my hair—it had a way of working out of the holes in my old straw hat—and somebody says to me, 'Well, sonny, what are you thinking of?' he says. I looked up, and who do you suppose it was? It was Cullom 1 I knew who he was, for I'd seen him before, but of course he didn't know me. Yes, ma'am, it was your husband!" The speaker paused, and looked into the fire smiling. Then he told his two hearers, how Cullom had taken him into the show, treating him to lemonade, paying everything for him, and giving him ten cents pocket-money. "My father was lying4 for me, when I entered the front gate—I knew it was no use to try the back door, and he took me by the ear—almost pulled it off—and marched me off . to the barn without a word. I never saw him so mad. It seemed as if he . couldn't speak for a while, but finally he says, 'Where have you been all day?' " 'Down to the village,' I said. ■ " 'What have you been up tos down there?' he said. " 'Went to the circus,' I said, thinking I might as well make a clean breast o f 8 it. " 'Where did you get the money?' he said. " 'Mr. Cullom took me,' I said. " 'You lie,' he said. 'You stole the money somewhere, and 1*11 beat it out of you,' he said. And he did his best. "But I'd had the most enjoyable day—I might say the 1 spijbelende i loerende, opwachtende 2 muziekkorps 5 uitgehaald 3 ruk 6 bekennen, eerlijk opbiechten 182 only ©njoyable day, that I'd ever had in my whole life, and I have never forgotten it. I got over the licking 1 in course of time, but I've been enjoying that circus for forty years. "Well, that day was the turning point2 with me. The next night I ran away with what duds3 I could get together, and the next time I saw the old house on Buxton HUI, there hadn't been Harums in it for years." Here David rose from his chair, yawned4, and stretched himself, and stood with his back to the fire. He put his hand into the breast pocket of his coat and took out three papers, which he shuffled in review" asif to verify their identity*, and then held them in one hand, tapping them softly upon the palm of the other, as if at aloss7 how to begin. The widow sat with her eyes fastened8 upon the papers, trembling with nervous apprehension9. Presently he broke the silence. "About this mortgage of yours," he said; "I sent you word that I wanted to close the matter up, and seeing that you're here and come for that purpose, I guess we'd better do so now. There is no time like the present, as the saying is." "I suppose it'11 have to be as you say," said the widow in a shaking10 voice. "Mrs. Cullom," said David, solemnly11, "you know, and I know, that I've got the reputation of being a hard, grasping 12 man. Perhaps I am. It's perhaps got to be second nature, and I can't help it. Mrs. Cullom, I'd got something to teil you. It's this, and I'm the only person living that is knowing it, and in fact I may say that I'm the only 1 pak slaag: 7 niet wetend 2 keerpunt 8 strak gericht op 3 vodden 9 vrees i geeuwden 10 hevende 5 uttelkaar schoof, nakeek 11 plechtig 6 te zien of het de goede waren 12 schraapachtlg 183 person that ever really was knowing it. It was before you were married, and I'm sure he never told you, for I don't doubt he forgot all about it, but your husband, Billy P. Cullom, that was, made a small investment1 once, yes, ma'am, he did, and in his careless way it just slipped his mind2. The amount of capital he put in wasn't large, but the rate of interest was uncommonly high. Now, he never drew any dividends on it, and they've been accnmulating8 for forty years, more or less, at compound4 interest." The widow started forward, as if to rise from her seat. David put his hand out gently and said: "Just a minute, Mrs. Cullom, just a niinute, till I get through. Part of that capital," he resumed, "consisting of a quarter and some odd8 cents, was invested in the circus business, and the rest of it—forming all the cash capital that I started in business with—was the ten cents pocket-money your husband gave me that day, and here," said David, striking the papers in his left hand with the back of his right, "here are the dividends! This mortgage, not being on record8, may just as well go into the fire—it's getting low—and your place is clear7 now." E. N. Westcott, (David Harum). 1 belegging- 5 Iets meer dan 25 Am. centen 2 werd vergeten 6 geregistreerd 3 aangroeien 7 onbezwaard i samengestelde f§j£z:z::i3i| nieuw engelsch 11 r^S™ j woordenboek I 1 ENGEL5GH | | bewerkt door I { WOORDENBOEK f ! Dr. F. P. H. PRICK VAN WEU* f I ENCELSCH-NEDERLAND3CH II Q j i e — m ry I I NEDERWNDSCHENCEtiCH « j "® QTUIT., I / .ÖU< m KRAMERS' WOORDENBOEKEN I SSS FRANSCH, 10de druk f 4.50 ) _ | *^:<»-MMMM«MMMMHm^ DUITSCH, 7de druk f 4.50 > " " 'i^;^.,.MW,.....,..^}.%s| ENGELSCH, 9de druk f 7.50 ) van goor's engelsch sghoolwoordenboek f 2.90. Met deze uitgave geven wij gevolg aan het veelvuldig tot ons gerichte verzoek )m, naast de duurdere woordenboek-uitgaven, weer een voor billijken prijs ;n van bescheidener inhoud te brengen. Wij vertrouwen, dat deze schóólwoordenboeken wat inhoud en prijs betreft hieraan zullen voldoen. VAN GOOR'S SCHOOLWOORDENBOEKEN FRANSCH — DUITSCH — ENGÊLSCH k f 2.90. Prijs per stel f 8.25. van goor's miniatuur engelsch woordenboek 5e druk, f 1.75. 3at hiervan een vijfde druk verschijnt is wel de moeite waard te vermelden. £ou het komen vanwege het handig formaat — de gansche woordenschat n een notendop —, of omdat het zoo goed bewerkt is en nimmer vruchteloos jeraadpleegd wordt, wij willen het niet beslissen, maar populair is het zeker. De Nieuwe Courant. VAN GOOR'S MINIATUUR WOORDENBOEKEN FRANSCH 5e druk. — DUITSCH 4e druk. — ENGELSCH 5e druk. In slap groen linnen k f 1.50, per stel . . f 4.25 In stijf bruin bandje k f 1.75. ,, . . f 5. — Etuitje voor idem f 0.50. UITGAVEN G.B. VAN GOOR ZONEN - GOUDA @ Oosting's Handelswoordenboek Handboek ten gebruike bij de Handelscorrespondentie in het Nederlandsch, Fransen, Dultsch en Engelsen. Vierde herziene en omgewerkte druk door J. W. KUIPER, H. JANSONIUS, A. A. HESKES. In half leeren band f 15.50. In linnen f 13.50. Het is een uitermate verdienstelijk werk. Het is in den volsten zin des voords een vraagbaak voor den Handelscorrespondent. Niet alleen de ver:almg der woorden wordt gegeven, maar daaraan is vastgeknoopt een rijke >pgave van zinswendingen, waarin de woorden in den handel voorkomen. Vlet OOSTING'S Woordenboek zal de correspondent niet licht verlegen staan. Vragen van den Dag. H OTEft al KUIPER>S Beknopt BD^OrTiwiDEi5woora)EriBOEK Handelswoordenboek sz. Tr Nederlandsch, Frahsch, WOORDENËNUITDRUKKIMQEM Dultsch en Engelsch. i^lrWr1Da5a)RRBK)r1DmTIE Geb f 3.50. !!ffiHQ)B^HDSCHHOO®ÜITSCrl „t , , . . _ ^PW? tuigd, dat ieder, die voor een taaiexamen V studeert, het met veel vrucht zal kunnen gebruiken. Moge minder uitvoerig zijn dan dat van Oosting, toch komt 't mij in hooge G'B'i//jmG00R£2£!ë! m"te p»«ot"oi> voor. " Dr. J. L. CH., Directeur van een Handelschool. jitgaven g. b. van goor zonen — gouda HANDBOEK VOOR DE CORRESPONDENTIE in het NEDERLANDSCH, ENGELSCH, DUITSCH, FRANSCH, SPAANSCH ▼oor PARTICULIEREN en KOOPLIEDEN. TWEEDE DRUK bewerkt door J. W. KUIPER, leeraar Hoogere Handelsschool, \ met medewerking van H. JANSONIUS, A. A. HESKES en A. D. LEEMAN te Rotterdam. Prijs, stevig gebonden, f 5.75. Dit boek bevat geen verzameling van brieven, doch het geeft beginzinnen, slotzinnen en zinnen die in het midden van brieven komen. 't Is een prachtwerk, wat inhoud betreft. Een correspondentie-boek, zoo intens goed en degelijk, zooals er tot nog toe niet verschenen is. Men zou 't kunnen noemen realistisch handels-correspondentie-boek, omdat de brieven juist zoo gesteld zijn als wij ze op de kantoren zien. En ieder kantoorbediende weet hoe de handelsbrieven, die wij uit de studieboeken samenstelden, soms geheel in strijd waren met de werkelijke koopmanscorrespondentie. Eerst maakt men kennis met het particuliere gedeelte, daarin vindt men in verschillende talen: rouwbeklag, invitaties, felecitaties etc. De in vreemde talen gestelde zijn geen vertalingen van de Hollandsche, maar naar voor- I beelden uit 't land zelf bijééngebracht. Goed gestyleerde volzinnen in de vijf talen zijn 't, die echt business-like geschreven zijn. Aan 't einde van 't boek vindt men verschillende opgaven om uit te werken. Het boek is als studie-boek en als hulp-boek bij de Correspondentie aan te bevelen. De Handel. Dit mooie handboek heeft ons vele malen diensten bewezen en de tweede uitgave van dit werk zal het evenzeer doen. Zelfs voor den leek biedt dit werk gelegenheid om een onberispelijken brief in de vreemde taal te schrijven. Met eenige grammaticale kennis zal men met behulp van dit werk spoedig onberispelijk in de vreemde taal kunnen eorrespondeeren. De Beurs. UITGAVE G. B. VAN GOOR ZONEN — GOUDA. \ A HUNDRED ENGLISH POEMS 1 " GOLLECTED BY F. J. HOPMAN f 1.—. (Geb. £ 1.40.) De volgorde der stukken getuigt van het streven een goede opklimming in acht te nemen, terwijl de keuze der stukken in verband staat met de bedoeling des auteurs iets bijeen te brengen, dat zijn nut kan hebben, voor karakter en gemoed naast verstand en hoofd. De Vacature. Deze verzameling onderscheidt zich door goede smaak en gelukkige keuze. Het Museum. Met genoegen inderdaad heb ik deze verzameling doorgelezen, 't Gaat om Engelsch te leeren in de eerste plaats. Maar daarbij komt, dat de dichtstukjes, hoewel verschillend in lengte, toch geen van alle te lang zijn. De maat is niet vermoeiend om te lezen: ze zijn, gelijk de verzamelaar bedoeld heeft, heel gesohikt om van buiten geleerd te worden, terwijl eindelijk de inhoud verheffenden geest ademt. Niet slechts de schooljeugd, ook de voor een acte studeerenden zullen deze gedichten met vrucht gebruiken. De School m\d Bijbel. IN DEZE SERIE VERSCHENEN NOG: CENT POÈMES FRANCAIS GHOISIS PAR CL. DE LIEFDE £ 1—. (Geb. £ 1.40.) HONDERD NEDERL. GEDICHTEN VBRZAMBLD DOOR Dr. Ghr. KROES-LIGTENBERG £ 1.20. (Geb. £ 1.60.) HUNDERT DEUTSCHE GEDICHTE GBSAMMBLT VON H. W. J. KROES 6e druk. (f 1.20. Geb. £ 1.60.) Vier gelijkvormige bundeltjes gedichten met aanteekeningen voor de lagere klassen van H. B. S. en Gymnasium, maar ook zeer geschikt voor M.U.L.O., Normaal- en Kweekscholen en candidaten L. O. G. B. VAN GOOR ZONEN — GOUDA @ tl. . teen: Van H. JANSONIUS verscheen: VOORLOOPER. Nieuwe methode voor het aanvangsonderwijs in de Engelsche taal. f 1.15 , KLEINE SPRAAKKUNST, voor Handelsdag- en Avondscholen. " I, 4e dr. f 1.— ; II, 2e dr. f 1.20 KLEIN LEESBOEK, voor Mulo-, Handelsdag- en Avondscholen. I, 5e dr. f 1.10; II, 2e dr. f 1.30 BEKNOPTE ENGELSCHE HANDELS-GRAMMATICA met oefeningen en woordenlijst. 12e dr. f 1.75 ENGELSCHE HANDELSBRIEVEN I voor beginners, met 18 bijlagen. 12e dr. f 1.75 ENGELSCH HANDELSLEESBOEK. 3e dr. f 1.75 ENGELSCHE HANDELSBRIEVEN II v. examen-cand. met 13 bijlagen. ~ 4e dr. f 2.— Van J. W. KUIPER verscheen: INLEIDING TOT DE DUITSCHE HANDELS-CORRESPONDENTIE. Eenvoudige Grammatica der Duitsche Handelstaal met oefeningen. Eerste stukje, 3e druk, f 0.90 Woorden en uitdrukkingen der Duitsche Handelstaal, met oefeningen en woordenlijst. Tweede Stukje, 2e druk, f 1.20 Van F. W. LEEMAN verscheen: INLEIDING TOT DE FRANSCHE HANDELS-COR- RESPONDEN 1'IE. Hoofdzaken der spraakkunst met oefeningen. Eerste stukje, 6e druk. f 0.90 Tweede Stukje, 4e druk. f 1.20 EXERCICES DE GRAMMAIRE et de lexicologie francaises a 1'usage des Ecoles Supérieures de Commerce. 2e druk. f 1.25 VOCABULAIRE, Nederlandsch-Fransch, behoorende bij Inleiding t/d Fransche Handelsc. I en II en bij Ex. de Gramm. ' fO.90 Van Y. DUBOSQ en B. HYLKEMA verscheen: LEERBOEK DER FRANSCHE HANDELS-CORRESPONDENTIE voor Hoogere en Middelbare Handelsscholen en candidaten voor de praktijk-examens. f 1.95 FRANSCH HANDELSLEESBOEK voor Hoogere en Middelbare Handelsscholen. f 1.15 Van W. H. WAANDERS verscheen: TAALBOEK VOOR HANDELSCURSUSSEN, HER- HALINGS- EN M.U.L.O. SCHOLEN. I, 2e dr. en II af 0.60 G. B. VAN GOOR ZONEN * GOUDA j|KRr£S*Jjj WOORDENBOEK I i i ENGELSCH I I BEWERKT DOOR i WOORDENBOEK ! j Dr. f. p. h. prigk van welt I f ENGELSCH-NEDERLANDSCH 1 I j «™™™*«» j j 9e DRUK f 7.50 *t«' j J Kramers'Woordenboeken 1 ) f NEGENDEtHUKBEWERKTBOOR | f FRANSCH 1 Ofi drillf (1^01 ÜJ _ jJ DUITSCH, 7e druk f4.50 "rsteI| M'<—ENGELSCH, 9e druk f 7.50 ) f 15 50 I Van Goor's Engelsch Schoolwoordenboek j f 2.90 Met deze uitgave geven wij gevolg aan het veelvuldig tot on» gerichte verzoek J om, naast de duurdere woordenboek-uitgaven, weer een voor billijken prijs en van bescheidener inboud te brengen. Wij vertrouwen, dat deze schoolwoordenboeken ] wat inhoud en prijs betreft hieraan zullen voldoen. van goor s SCHOOLWOORDENBOEKEN I FRANSCH — DUITSCH — ENGELSCH k f 2.90 Prijs per stel f 8.25 Van Goor's Miniatuur Engelsch Woordenboek j 5e druk f 1.75 | Dat hiervan een vijfde druk verschijnt is wel de moeite waard te vermelden. Zou 1 het komen vanwege het handig formaat — de gansche woordenschat in een notendop — . j of omdat het zoo goed bewerkt is en nimmer vruchteloos geraadpleegd wordt, wij 1 willen het niet beslissen, maar populair is het zeker. De Nieuwe Couran: van goor's miniatuur woordenboeken! FRANSCH 5e dr. — DUITSCH 4e dr. — ENGELSCH 5e dr. 1 In slap groen linnen k i 1.50, per stel f 4.25 In stijf bruin bandje è f 1.75, ,, „ f 5.— Etuitje voor idem f 0.50 . UITGAVEN G. B. VAN GOOR ZONEN - GOUDA @