ain, I know my father will let him have it. And, indeed, Jack caused
the loss of the whole sum lost on "The Capitalist," etc.: and this is
not quite the half of what my father paid away. But is it not fine in
Uncle Jack? Well, my father was quite right in his milder estimate of
Jack's scalene conformation, and it is hard to judge of a man when he
is needy and down in the world. When one grafts one's ideas on one's
neighbor's money, they are certainly not so grand as when they spring
from one's own.
Uncle Jack (popping his head into the room).--"And, you see, you can
double that money if you will just leave it in my hands for a couple of
years,--you have no notion what I shall make of the Tibbets' Wheal!
Did I tell you? The German was quite right; I have been offered already
seven times the sum which I gave for the land. But I am now looking out
for a company: let me put you down for shares to the amount at least of
those trumpery bills. Cent per cent,--I guarantee cent per cent!"
And Uncle Jack stretches out those famous smooth hands of his, with a
tremulous motion of the ten eloquent fingers.
Pisistratus.--"Ah! my dear uncle, if you repent--"
Uncle Jack.--"Repent, when I offer you cent per cent, on my personal
guarantee!"
Pisistratus (carefully putting the bills into his breast
coat-pocket).--"Then if you don't repent, my dear uncle, allow me to
shake you by the hand and say that I will not consent to lessen
my esteem and admiration for the high principle which prompts this
restitution, by confounding it with trading associations of loans,
interests, and copper-mines. And, you see, since this sum is paid to my
father, I have no right to invest it without his permission."
Uncle Jack (with emotion). "'Esteem, admiration, high principle!'--these
are pleasant words from you, nephew. [Then, shaking his head, and
smiling] You sly dog! you are quite right; get the bills cashed at once.
And hark ye, sir, just keep out of my way, will you? And don't let me
coax from you a farthing." Uncle Jack slams the door and rushes out.
Pisistratus draws the bills warily from his pocket, half suspecting they
must already have turned into withered leaves, like fairy money; slowly
convinces himself that the bills are good bills; and by lively gestures
testifies his delight and astonishment. Scene changes.
PART XVIII.
CHAPTER I.
Adieu, thou beautiful land, Canaan of the exiles, and Ararat to many a
shattered ark!
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