dent that Mr.
Bennington would not be able to pay him.

"I want the interest money to-day," said he, sharply as he stepped up to
the counter, behind which the landlord stood.

"Can't you wait till next week? When these New York folks leave, I shall
have more money than I have now," replied Mr. Bennington, who, knowing
just what his hard creditor wanted, was disposed to thorn him a little.

"I must have the money to-day," added Squire Moses more mildly, for he
began to feel that the business was in just the condition he wished it
to be.

"It has been a pretty tight time with me for money," pleaded Mr.
Bennington.

"It has with everybody; but if you can't pay me my interest money, say
so."

"But suppose I can't pay it; you won't be hard with me--will you?"

"I expect folks to do just what they agree to do. I don't want any long
stories about it," added Squire Moses, who was secretly happy.

"Waiting till next week won't make any difference with you."

"I think I know my own business best. I understand you to say you can't
pay. Here is Jones, and in his presence, as a witness, I demand the
money."

"Just so," replied the landlord; "but if--"

"No buts about it, Mr. Bennington. I don't want to talk all day about
nothing. You can't pay; that's enough;" and the squire moved towards the
door, followed by Jones, who desired to pay his note.

"Squire Wormbury," called the landlord, "one word."

The usurer walked back to the counter, determined, however, not to
prolong the argument. Mr. Bennington took a well-filled pocket-book
from the iron safe, from which he counted out the amount due the squire.

"I thought you said you couldn't pay it," growled Squire Moses, whose
heart sank within him when he saw the bottom drop out of the nice little
plan--a very stupid one, by the way--which he had arranged with Ethan.

"I didn't say so. I only asked if you would wait till next week,"
laughed the landlord.

"Fooling with me--were you?" snapped the squire.

"I understood a while ago that the Sea Cliff House was to have a new
landlord about the first of July, and I wanted to see how you felt about
it to-day."

"Who said so?"

"Well, you and Ethan talked it over together. You were to take
possession, if I didn't pay the interest, turn me out and put your son
Ethan in."

"Who said I did?"

"No matter about that. You and he had the talk in the parlor of your
house; and I can prove it, if necessary."

But the landl