16
THE OMAHA DAILY BEE: SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1901.
NO OTHER WAY;
7
Mynopiil of Prrcrilln Chapter.
Mrs. Isabel Weyland, a widow, I threat
ened with tho debtor's prlton. Her chlf
creditor, Mrn. Drymer. suggests a way out
of tho difficulty, marrlugo with an lmprl!
oncd dobtor, who, for a paltry sum, will
assume Mrs. Weyland's debts also.
CHAPTER II.
On (be four Side.
(Copyright, Ml, by Dodd, Mead & Co.)
There la nothing uncommon In the visit
of a gentlewoman to a debtors' prlton.
Always thero aro languishing within thoso
walli unfortunate gentlemen, some Impris
oned until their friends succeed in making
arrangements with tbelr creditors, others
lying here for life, either subsisting on
uch small allowances as unwilling brothers
or grudging cousins consent to give, or
starving In misery, such misery as wo would
not Inflict on the worst of criminals, on the
poor side. It Is not, tuorofore, surprising
that compassionate- woman should from
tlmo to tlmo bo seen In those dingy courts,
bringing assistance nnd consolation to ono
.who had formerly been hor frlond, hor
Uousln, her playfellow, perhaps hor lover.
This morning about 1 o'clock tho hungry,
those on tho Poor Side, were dreaming of
dinners Impossible of attainment, the
former regular time for dinner being re
placed by casual feeding at such hours and
times aa It might pleaso Fortune, the In
constant, or Luck, the Uncertain (a more
favorite goddess on tho Foor Side), and on
tho master's stdo the collegians who Wl
money In purse and pocket wero consider
ing seriously what their resources would
allow, whether the 2 shillings ordinary with
the pint of wlno after It, or tho humblo
fried sausage and baked potato with a
tankard of black beer. At this tlmo tho
courts of the prison aro noarly deserted,
for those who belong to the master's sldo
wish It to be understood thnt they nro at
tho ordinary, and, therefore, If thoy cannot
afford that costly banquet, llo snug In tholr
chambers, or repair to the cellar, where tho
more modeBt dollcaclcs aro to bo procured.
So that the arrival of two ladles In tho
court where the prisoners tako their cxer
olse was hardly noticed at all. Ono of
them, wrapped In a silk lined cloak or man
tle, wore a moBk and was evidently un
willing to be rccognlied. By her step and
carriage she appeared to bo young: slio
wore, however, the cap of a widow In tho
soeond or third year of hor mourning. Tho
other, a middle aged woman, plainly
dressed, was ovldently of inferior station.
She walkod upright without any mask or
any attempt at concealment; hor faco was
hard and resolute; sbo seemed Intent on
some business. Those who saw her folt
certain tremors or sinkings, tho memory
of past experience, because she looked like
one of that hard-hearted tribe, the un
nrn.ilinr. Hor kind has, nt least,
done their worst to tho prlaonors In keeping
them locked up, but the memory remained.
Therefore, at sight of her hnrd and resolute
face, knees trembled, hands shook nnd
"those within reach of their own staircases
hastily retired to places of concealmont.
This visitor looked up and down tho
court, which was, as I have said, nearly
empty; a few of tho prisoners wore walk
ing about, a few were playing racquets
against the wall, some were sitting In tho
sun after tholr frugal meal, somo wero
talking over u Journal of tho day or the
day before yesterday; all wero ahabby. all
were dull; all wore listless, caroless, down
at heel, shabby and hopeless. It la tho
fashion to represent tho collego as full of
conviviality and good fellowship; It Is full
of drink, hut It Is dull hopeless, dull and
atupld. '
The lady did not sto the prisoner whom
sne was seeking. She turned to a turn
key standing aside, dangling and rattling
bis bunch of keys.
"I want Mr. Oliver Macnamara," she
aid. "He Is one of your prisoners on tho
othpr side. Can you send for him? Ho Is
perhaps t his dinner."
,"Hls dinner! Ho! ho! A fat and plen
tiful dinner they get on the other side.
Well, madam, I will send for him Mac
namara? Macnamara? Is It a lawyer?
Is he an Irishman?"
'An Irishman, certainly. And he wears
a lawyer's gown."
"Ay ay his detainers aro beggarly. Ho
went over to the Poor Sldo a week ago. I
bundled him over myself, seeing that ho
was unable to pay for his bed. This Is a
place where we score up no chalks."
"Lcanunderstand your precaution." Katd
Mrs. Brymer, for It was that dressmaker.
"Being In business myself, I have suffered
by running up scores. Well, sir, ho Is on
Xinr Ul.la thnt I lltlftW. MlllllllTl." Hill)
.,1V V W I UIUV . -" - . -
whispered to her compuulon, "This Is the
prisoner of whom I spoKo to you. no in
nn tho Poor Bide, but his nrlde must bo
broken by this tlmo. Hunger and void
ajiecdlly break them up; he will bo willing
to make t bargain with us ou terms more
By SIR WALTER BESANT.
favorablo than If ho had money left. We
must not offer him too much."
"Isho a gontlcmau, then? You said he
was a lawyer. Is ho very old and broken?
Wo muBt not bo hard upon a poor old
man."
"Ho Is not old at all. He Is quite young,
I suppoMo ho la a gentleman, being a law
yer." "Young and a gentleman! O, Mrs. Dry
mer, wo must not be bard on youth and
poverty!"
"You must think of yourself, madam, not
of htm. In business there Is no pity, Ho
friendship and no affection. It is cvoryono
for himself." ,
"You wnnt young Macnamara," said the
turnkey. "Humph! Supposo ho won't
come?"
"Why not?" Tell him that a lady wishes
to seo him."
"It's hi pride. Somo of thom are so, at
first. After a bit they drop their pride.
You see, ladles, he's a gentleman a very
pretty gentleman who cannot get his
friends to pay his 2-penny debts. And, be
sides, ho has had to sell bis clothes and Is
now In ings. Somo of them on tho poor
sldo llko to Bhow their rags they move
compassion. Oar! Compassion. And for
them as nro destitute and friendless. As
If they do not deserve all they get. What
do they expect? They've got the boards to
Bleep on and their share of tho doles.
They're bettor off Inside than out. Somo
of them aro ashamed of tholr rags. This
young fellow this gentloraan who Is In for
a mcro trifle Is ashamed of his. Let him
alono and tho uhame of his rags as well as
tho cold and tho starvation will kill him
off In a slnglo winter. I know tho aort.
Ho will bo dead In six months."
Mrs. Ilrymer nudged her companion. "Wo
nro In luck," sho repeated. Dead In six
jnonthB! Could anything bo better? We
shall get him very cheap."
Then sho turned to tho man of the koys.
"Mr. Macnamara will come. Tell him It
Is tho lady with whom he had discourse
last week. Tako us to somo place where
wo can bo private" She placed a bhllllng
In tho mau'a band.
Ho looked at It and nodded. "Ay," he
said. "Now you talk sense. Well, you can
havo the uso of my snuggery for half an
hour. I Bhall chargo you no more than 5
shillings. If you want drink call for It.
There's as Rood drink In tho college as
thero Is out of It. Tho wine, ladles, I
can recommend."
Tho snuggery was a small room abom
inably closo and smelling of beer, punch
and tobacco; tho room In which some ot
tho residents, those who could afford to
spend n shilling or bo, mot In the evening
to drink, nnd tako tobacco and to protend
that tho prison was tho homo of wit, merri
ment and happiness. In the morning the
plnco wns deserted.
Tho man returned In a few minutes,
bringing with him his prisoner, Mr. Oliver
Macnamara whose pride, it appears, had
been broken up by tho arrival of misery
and destitution. Who can bo proud when
hunger gnaws nt tho vitals.
Ho was qulto a young man, his beard
neglected and stubby, his hair growing out
under his wig. Ho wore a waistcoat tightly
buttoned with no sign of a shirt; ho had
no coat, but instead a lawyer's gown
stained with dally uso and ragged at the
skirts, for ho had been a prisoner for six
months; hU wig was that belonging to a
member of tho Utter Par, but ruined by
long neglect and tho want of oomblng; he
had still bltt lawyer's bands, buttbey were
no longer white; his feet were bare; he"
wore neither shoes nor stockings; hla faco
was pinched nnd pale; his oyes were un
naturally bright; ho showed, tndeod, In his
appearance, not only extreme poverty, but
lnsulnolcnt food and nourishment. In a
word, he looked more forlorn, moro hope
less, moro mocked by fortune, more buf
feted by fate, than ono would havo be
lieved possible In one so young. For as
one could see plainly, he was no common
person; upon his faco lay, visible to all,
tho stamp of a scholar; his clear-cut mouth,
his regular features, his square forehead
showed not only a scholar, but also a man
of flno understanding, resolution and clear
mind.' Ho ramo Into the room looking fronj
one or wio inuics io wir uumr whu a irrri
bly guilty shame expressed clearly In hla
face Ono of them felt a sinking of tho
heart and a sudden compassion at tho sight
ot a wreck so premature, and, apparently,
so complete. Tho other smiled grimly,
"Why," Bhe whispered, "wo are In luck.
truly. Tho young man Is deeper down than
I thought possible a week ago. He looks
If he bad Jail fever; I am suro that It
wo dared to touch him ho would be found
burning hot with fever. We aro In great
luck. In six weeks nay, In a tew weeks,
he will be dead and you wilt be free. 01
wo shall mnko very easy terms with htm."
Mr. Macnamara stood before the ladles
without a word. Out his Up trembled, tho
only sign that his pride which was greater
than his shame allowed him to make.
"Sir," said the dressmaker, "you doubt
less remember the conversation we bad a
week ago."
"I remomber It, madam, perfoctly. It
was not a conversation of tho kind which
a man In my position readily forgets."
"Stop, stop," Interposed the lady In the
mask. "He Is In want of food. I am cer
tain that ho le In want of food. Let us first
order somo refreshment for him. We must
not enter upon business with him until ho
has appeased his hunger."
"As you please, madam," MrB. Drymer
answered, coldly. "I should, however,
rocommccd business first. Whon our bust
buss Is complete ho can order what he
likes."
Thero was, In fact, nothing at that mo
ment which tho prisoner desired more than
food. Ho was faint and sick for want of
food. At tho mcro mention of food ho
changed color. l'rldo could not prevent
this betrayal. Ho reeled. He was fain to
clutch nt tho back of a chair.
A debtors' prison, howovor, Is like
Leadenhall market In containing a supply of
ovorythlng that roan can desire (except a
quickening breath of fresh air), provided
thero Is money to pay for It. Cold beet
"WE CANNOT OFFER A GUINEA A WEEK TO ONE ON THE POOIl SIDE. A9
WELL BESTOW BURGUNDY AND RHENISH ON A COMMON Til AMP OF THE
was immediately attainable with bread and
a pint of Lisbon. "Can you eat cold beef,
ilr?" asked tho lady with the mask. The
young man sat down and procoeded to show
that beef, cold, cut off the silver side, with
bread, was at the moment the one dish
which ho would havo chosen before all
others. Indeed, for a hungry man, cold
beef, slightly undordone, has no equal. All
this in spite of nods, winks and admonitory
sniffs from Mrs. Brymer, who saw In tho
perverse and lll-tlmcd charity, tho loss of
those advantages conferred upon the bar
gainers by the present necessities. Tho
food restored somo color to tho young man's
cheek and some strength to his limbs. Tho
wlno also gave some courage to hla heart.
He finished his repast and stood up again
with a low bow ot gratitude.
"Now, Mr. Macnamara," the dressmaker
resumed business. "We have wasted time
already. You remember, you say, our dis
course. You were then, I believe, still in
possession of a little money, and if I re
member aright, shoes and stockings. Your
caso was desperate but you concealed from
mo how desperate It was."
"I told you that I was a prisoner for life.
What moro was there to conceal?"
"You did not tell me, air," sho added se
verely, "that you wero on tho point of be
coming qulto destitute. A mere pauper and
beggar. Your transference to the poor sldo
will certainly make a great difference In our
arrangements. Wo cannot offer a guinea a
week to one on the poor side. Aa well be
stow Burgundy or Rhenish on a common
tramp ot the road."
"Mrs. Brymer," murmured tho lady In
the mask, "spare him. He Is a gentleman."
"As you will, madam. My poverty Is
such that I must consont to anything."
"You undortake to assume cortaln liabili
ties. Let us have no mistake about the
business. These liabilities are not large.
but they aro present qulto beyond your
means of payment. They would, therefore,
by themselves, make your release impos
sible unless the creditors ronsent. And this
they wilt not do. But that is no hardship,
because you are already In the hands of
your own creditors, who are equally hard
hearted. You are beyoud any hope of re
lease. You are now on the poor sldo. You
have no rent to pay. You have no fees to
pay. Everything 1b cheap on the poor side.
And you have your share of the doleB whllo
you tako your sharo In rattling the box. A
pretty fall It Is for a gentleman." The
young man changed color, but said nothing.
"I would propose, therefore, as you are
doubtless quite unprovided with any com
forts, first to find you a mattress and a
blanket, and next to give you an allowance
ot 5 shillings n week. That, I conclude, will
make you quite comfortable; even, for the
poor side, rich!"
The young man bowed. Tho lady who had
charge of the business went on relentlessly;
"You will marry the lady at once. I can
bring a Fleet parson here In halt an hour.
You will make no attempt, either now or at
any future time, to claim her aa your wlfo.
She will be as much dead to you after tho
ceremony as at present. Do you qulto un
derstand this?"
"Quite. There Is no necessity to repeat
the agreement."
"I am the best Judge of the necessity.
Very well, then. Some persons In your con
dition have tried threats of various kinds.
If you try anything of that nature we shall
lncrcaso the detainers."
"I understand. Is thli not enough?"
"And we shall Btop the allowance. Well,
I think there Is no more to be said. If you
behave well and can be tiusted, thero might,
at some time we make no promise but
thsre might. I say, at somo time, be a
question ot the Hulea."
"The rules would bo no use to me, 1
could no niore make a livelihood In the
rules than in this place. You havo said
quit enough, madam, and more than
enough. But my position obliges me to
hear all and enduro all."
"Madam," he turned to tho lady with
the mask, who had not spoken, "you are, I
suppose, tho lady concerned. Understand
I pray you, that the degradation offered me
must be accepted It It will give me food.
Degradation shame humiliation, cannot
touch a poor wretch on the Poor Side. Hun
ger Is tho whole armor of such an ono
against any kind of shame."
"81r, you speak and you feel as a gentle
man. Believe me, I am deeply grlovod to
seo a young gentleman In this condition."
"Business," tho dressmaker repeated her
former lesson, "knows no compassion. Thero
Is no friendship, no pity In business. Let
us settlo tho business first. After that we
can have as much compassion as you
please."
"Do not, I entreat you," tho lady con
tinued, "sacrtflco your chanco of freedom
for a mero pittance. Consider, Blr, you
may be released so far as your own liabili
ties are concerned."
Ho laughed bitterly. "My chances! If
I owed the whole of tho national debt tho
worth of tho Oolconda mines I could not
bo more hopclossly a prisoner than I am
now. My chief detaining creditor Is more
hard-hearted and relentless than one would
believe possible in a more Mohock"
"Sir," said Mrs. Brymcr, "he Is a man
In business. How can a tradesman live
if his customers do not pay? You aro an
example. The knowledge that you are
suffering this Imprisonment for so small u
sum beggarly, the turnkey called U Is a
warning to alt others who will not pay."
"Perhaps perhaps."
"I havo heard," sho went on, "of per
sons being arrested and kept for Ufa by
detainers of a fow shillings. Is that hard
heartedness? Nqt so, sir. It is an example
to tho rest of the world. Believe roe, sir,
though It seems hard to you, thero aro
thousands who would never pay tholr debts,
small or largo, were It not for tho example
of such as you such as you."
Tho dressmaker spoko with somo warmth,
because to her, as a woman In trade, tho
debtors' prison 1b llko a Magna Charta, for
tho protection ot herself and such as her
self. "Sir," said thu lady In tho mask, "If your
private friends"
"Madam, among all the people of this
country nnd my own thero is not a soul
who knows me, or Is sorry for me, or would
Hit up bis finger to savo me. Not one.
They do not even know of my misfortunes.
Why should I let them know? They would
not help me; thoy would only whisper to
each other, for the credit of tho family, to
Keen it dark."
"No friends and no hope," tho lndy mur
mured. "0, poor man! Poor man!"
"Business first. Compassion afterward."
said Mrs. Brymor. "Shall I send for tho
parson?"
"Walt a moment, Mr. Brymer. I would
first have a little further discourse with
this gentleman."
"As you pleaBe, madam, Time, how-
over, presses. The parson Is generally In
his cups by 2 or 8. But. as you nlease.
Even if the writ wero served, you could bo
married after It, Just as well. nut It
would bo better to dispatch tho business."
"In a few minutes, Mrs. Brvmcr will
you oblige me by taking a view of tho court
outsmo wnne I converse with this unfor
tunate gontloman with Mr. Macnamara?"
"Madam, I entreat you, Business before
pleasure. An agreement before comnaa-
slon. A soft heart has ruined manv linnpit
tradesmen. 0, It will lead to n throwing
away of money. Five shillings five shill
ings a week; on tho poor sldo with tho
doles and no rent 0, It should bo nmplo.
Consider, madam, you are not a Lady noun-
tltui."
"I will consider. For the moment, Mrs,
Brymer, pleaso leave me."
Mrs. Brymor obeyed, shaking her head.
"Now that we are alone, sir, pray take a
chair. Will you have another pint of
wine? No? . Forgive mo If I am Inhos
pliable. Tell me. sir, If you will believe
me It Is not Idle curlrmtty toll me who
you aro and how you came to fall so low?
Your appearance your manner your
speech all proclaim a gentleman and a
acUclr.r."
"I am a lawyer, madam, na these rags
may show you. I was of tho Irlah bar;
I have been called to tho English bar, by
the benches of the Inner Tomplo."
"A lawyer. There aro not, surely, many
lan-rcrs here."
"Madam, I believe that I am tho only
one. The lawyers avoid tho penalties of
debt; they are mostly connected with
wealthy families, or with attorneys In the
way of business; they are not, as a rulo,
very poor at the outset; their creditors
know whom they con trust. As for me, I
came over to make my fortune."
"You said that you had no friends In
Ireland."
"I have cousins In plenty. We nro a
poor family of gontlefolk. My father wuh
in holy orders. He died and I spent my
slender patrimony at Trinity collego and in
studying for tho bur In Dublin. Thon I
came over, trusting o the possession ot
certain gifts or qualities which I thought
would advance me, I had but little when I
arrived In London. Hut I had no fear. I
though I should get on quickly and I
bought certain things with which to make
a better appearance, anticipating fortune."
He stopped and sighed.
"It was a mistake that you made,"
The Woman
Who Was Lost
rnissoa tno way.
Sho had been wrongly directed by woll-moaning friends.
Whilo she was pondering the situation, she saw a fiuo healthy
woman coming toward her, and asked hor: "Do you know
whero 'Wellvillo is?" "Of courso I do," wns tho answer,
" I live there." Tho stranger gave Mrs. Roe exact directions
as to the way to "Wcllvillo nnd passed on. But Mrs. Roe
stood still. " Suppose," sho said to herself, " that this woman
is deceiving mo. Perhaps she doesn't live in Wcllvillo or
know tho way." And while she was still pondering, another
woman camo by and Mrs. Roo accosted hor. " How can I
get to Wcllvillo?" sho asked. Again tho way was pointed
out and the stranger passed on. But Mrs. Roo still stood in
the road, wondering whether tho directions given hor wero
trustworthy.
Ono would say that Mrs. Roe must bo n very singular
woman. Sho wanted to go to Wellville, could not find tho
way, and yot doubted tho information givon her by two of
her own box who had no motive in tho world for deceiving
hor. But Mrs. Roe is not at all singular. Thero aro many
like hor. Thoy aro sick and want to bo well. Not two
women, but scores and thousands, say, " We know tho way
to bo well. Wo aro well after years of sickness, and wo can
toll you, as a matter of experience, that Dr. Picrco's Favorito
Prescription makes weak women strong nnd sick women
well." But still tho Mrs. Rocs stand hesitating, wondering
whothor thoy aro being doooived by tho women who point
tho way to health.
Often thero is a natural reason for this donbt and host
tanoy. Directions given by friends havo been perhaps fol
lowed without result. Perhaps tho local physician has said
there is no way by which you can regain health. But a largo
number of the women who havo been cured by tho uso
of Dr. Pierce's Favorite Prescription havo gono through
the samo experience. Friends advised this or that
medioiue but it failed to cure. Doctors said : "Thero
is no hopo of health for you," and at tho last, tho uso of
"Favorito Prescription" healed dieoaso and restored
porfoct and permanent health.
"You have my heart-felt thanks for the kind advice you sent
me," writes Mrs. Florence Archer, of Eason, Macon Co., Tcnn.
"Words fall to express what I endured for about eight years
with female trouble. The awful pain that I had to endure each
month, no tongue can express. These bcaring-dowu pains,
backache, headache, distress in my stomach, and sores in my
breast, cramp in limbs they have all left me and health has
taken place of these distressing troubles. What caused them
to leave? It wa3 the bert medicine on earth Dr. Tierce's Fa
vorite Prescription. For the first three or four days after tak
ing the medicine I eot worse. Hod you not tola me thut I
should be apt to feel worse I never would have taken another dose; but
in one week's time I began to feel better. After taking six bottles of
the ' Favorite Prescription ' and using the local treatment you advised I
felt like a new woman."
Dr. Pierce's Favorito Prescription cores womanly diseases.
Hundreds of thousands of women testify to that fact. It has
cured in oases where every other available means and medtciuo had utterly failed
to give moro than temporary relief. " Favorite Prescription " establishes regu
larity, dries tho drains which weaken women, heals inflammation and ulceration
and cures female weakness. For expectant mothers it has no equal. It prevent
or cures morning sickness, tranqutlizes tho nerves', encourages tho nppetito and
iuduoes refreshing sJocp. It gives great muscular vigor nnd olasticity and so
makos tho baby's advent practically painless. It is tho bost known tonio for
nursing mothers.
"Without solicitatioa from yon I feel it my duty to suffering women, to make known the
virtues of your ' FavoritJ Prescription,' in curing me of a complication of diseases," writes
Mrs. Mary J. Weida, of Allcnumn, Pa., 391 Oak Street. I had heart trouble for about
three years and was so weak mh run-down that I had to force myself to attcud to my
household duties. The least excitement would cause my heart to flutter, nnd during its
normal periods it would every now and then seem to lose a beat, which nfTected me through
my whole system, even the raislr7 of my hands above my head, would make me bo weak
that I had to sit down awhile t r cover myself. All these ills have given way lo the cura
tive power of your 4Pavorite Preicription. The greatest relief wus received prior to the
coming of my little one; during the six previous experiences I was afflicted with moniing
sickness from beginning to ena of each period, but after using your rtwedy for one week, I
was entirely relieved of that distressing affliction. No one cun opprcciate what a relief that
was, save those who have actually experienced it."
Sick womon aro invited to consult Dr. Pierce by lotter, free. All letters arc
held as strictly private and sacredly confidential. Addroas Dr. R. V. Pierce,
Buffalo, N. Y.
If you are red to the purchase of " Favorito Prescription," because of its re
markable euros of other woman, do not accept a substitute which has none of
these cures to its cmdit.
rue uvm it rn wfi t mlle or' m wort,m way to bo
I WWK. WWt W m M y "- -mil and hoop well la par foot I y
palnlad out In Dr. Pimram'm rest work, Tho Pooplo'a Oommon Smnmo Medical Ad
vioor. Tklm book momimtno ovmr m thoummud Imrao pagmo, mud moro than too lllua
teotiono. It lo 00M ontiroly FREE on rooolpt of mtmmam to pay exponao of mailing
OMLt. Sottd 81 mmm-ooni mtmmmm tor tho book lit pmpor omw, or 31 atampa for
tho aloth-bommd volmmm.
Addr 000 1 DM. ft. V. PIEHOE, Buffalo, H. Y.
"Fortune delayed. She would not bo
hurried. The beginning to which I had
looked forward was slow In arriving. Thon
my creditor there wbb but one begun to
press mo for his money. I bad only prom
ises to give htm, I could not, In a word,
pay his bill It was only 25 guineas.
Madnm, 1 am willing to acknowledge the
truth of what that lady, your friend, ad
vanced. It Is true that there aro many
peoplo who would not pay their Just debte
but for tho terror of the prison. My ex
ample and the example of such as myself
aro to them a warning. It Is tho only
Justlllcatlon of tho debtors' prison. If at
any tlmo our legislators could eco tholr
way to enforco the paymont of dobtB with
out Imprisonment for Ufo this unjust pun
lehraent would cease. Ah It la, madam, I
am Imprisoned for life for a dobt of 23
guineas which I nm forbidden to pay by
the fact of my Imprisonment. The thlug Is
monstrous, but It Is the law."
"Twenty-five guineas? Do you mean
that a gontloman, like yourself, can bo Im
prisoned for, life for the whole of his life
for a paltry nebt of 25 guineas?"
"Tho law makes no distinction between
gentlemen and the common tort. It Im
prisons everybody for llfo; It has but one
sentence. Whether tho debt is a Hhllllng
or 10,000 ono must pay or bo imprisoned
for life."
"But surely 25 guineas!"
"It Is not much. Tho law again, in order
to keep tho prlHoner from tho shame of
confessing tho small amount for which ho
Is locked up, encourages the attorneys to
practlco tho rulo of multiplication. My
debt Is now about 75, I hellovc. This,
you observe, In the eyes of tho turnkeys
and prisoners themselves Is much moro
creditable."
"Hut pardon mi, I am Inquisitive havo
you really no friends who would pay ro
much for you? It Is not much. You could
afterward repay it."
"Madam I have no friends. Cousins I
have, but cousins are not fond of rnllovlng
the necessities of their relatloim. Desldes,
thero aro rollgtou difficulties. Somo of
them nre Catholics, und my father was n
Protestant. Somo of them aro poor and
would reif'nt tho moro suggestion of giving
help. Friends' Yes, I had friends at
Trinity, but thoy are mostly penniless like
myself When nil havo to make their way
In the world, what compassion or assist
Mrs Richard Roo
had started for
Wollvillo, nnd had
ance can ono who fails expect? Ho Is llko
a man wounded on the field of battle nnd
left to die."
"Is your father living?"
Tho young man whook his head sadly.
"He died. He built so many hopes upon
mo thnt I thank God ho has not lived to
see my destitution."
"You arc, thon, qulto friendless?"
"Quite so far as asking assistance. If
I wero successful, I should find Bcores of
friends of my old set at Trinity who would
rally round mo. If I could borrow, I havo
no security. And bosldo tho costH, In such
n caso as mine, go on growing of their own
accord. Tho attornoy sits nt his desk and
watches them as thoy grow. Tho costs In
such a placo as this are llko tho brambles
whliih grow and spread until they cover thu
wholo ground. Still, It is, aa you say, n
poor thing to represent n lifelong or a
life short of captivity. At tho lust day I
shall raako answer and eny, "I havo done
no work. My talent wbb taken from me
nnd burled In n napkin. I havo been for
bidden to work. My sins nro tho3o of dis
content and rebellion ugnlnst tho strokes
of Fate. And all, a you say, for 25
guineas, with attorney's costs, Ho will not
got thoso costs paid. That Is somo conso
lation." "A poor consolation." Tho lady's eyes
wero vlslblo behind hor mask; thoy wore
soft nnd limpid eyea and they filled with
tenra."
"It wns renlly shameful on tho Master's
sldo to confess that one wns kept here for
a debt to trifling, Twenty-flvo guineas!
Nay, they prldo themselves on tho extent
of their debts. A man who Is detained for
thousands is n leader hero by right of his
extensive liabilities. Outsldo wealth com
mands respect; hcio It Is tho amount of u
man's debts, On the Poor Sldo thoro Is no
such prldo: wo nro nil detained for small
umounts beggarly, as Iho turnkoy wald."
"Debt, with costs, no more tbnn 73.
Mr. Macnainaru, I fear that I should be
doing you a grlovous Injustlco it I wero lo
saddle you with my debts."
"Not at all, madam. In the first place,
I should rojolco to bo of service to a lady
bo soft-hearted aud so full of mercy us
yourself In the next placo, your offer na
tures mo n aulllclency nf food. Do not
think tno meanly of mo when I conft-s that
for food I ould put away from mo the last
rags ot prldo uud self-respect."
To Weilviwe
3
1
I
"Sir, I cannot think meanly of you. I
think or you with bo much pity. Sir, It is
Impossible. I will not load you with my
debts. I rotrnct my ofTar. I will not acoopt
of you us u husband, oven In name nnd title
only. It Is too great a buidon ot humilia
tion to lay upon your shoulders."
Tho young man wna silent. Ho glanced
at his buro fcot and his ragged gown. "As
you will, inudam. I havo nt least convorsod
once moro with a gontlowoman. I thank
you. And I will go back to tho poor Bide."
Ho rose nnd bowed low. "I thank you,
madnm, for your eompasfllcti."
Stay, sir. Ono moment. Is your cicdltor
qulto hopolrss?"
"Ho Is qulto hopclosB."
"Kven If I rofiiso lo do thla Injustice
tho cruelty of making your Imprisonment
lifelong without counting your private de
tainer''" "Madnm, thorn Ih no hopo for me,"
"And you will go buck to your misery.
How will you Jivo?"
"I do not know, madam."
"You will havo sufficient food. Tho win
ter will como on. You will havo no flro
110 bed 110 covering. AIbb, sir, nine, what
will you do?"
Ho smiled a cold, wintry smile.
"Madam," ho said, "tbore la u spleudld bed
largo enough to itucommodnto us all, but far
down tho rpad. It is a parish bed. Thoso
who llo in It feel neither heat nor cold.
They go barefoot; iboy want no clothes; they
want no food. They aro numoloss aud no
ono InqulrcH for them. Tho feet of tho poo
plo pass dally hcsldo tholr bed, but tboy
hear nothing; no one looks after thorn; thoy
llo nalecp und they nro forgotten. Thoy
want i.o pity, madam not ovon thut of your
kind heart; und thoy rink not to bo num
bered, Forget me, minium. J.ct me go on
that bed 181(8 to reculvo mo nnd ull mi'
ragged friends on the poor Hide." Again ho
bowed, and would havo gono out, but tho
lady stopped him again. i
(To bo Continued.)
firt-iit I, nek ii mi iMltor.
"For two years nil efforts lo cure Eczema
In Urn palms of my hands failed," writes
Editor H. N. I.estern of Syracuse Kan.,
"then I was wholly cured by Ilucklen's
rnl a Salve." It's tho world's best for
Eruptions, Sores and ull skin diseases. Only
2So at Kuhu & Co.'s.
