last
sentence, that made the honest blood boil in the veins of his
unfortunate debtor. He was tempted to utter a keen rebuke in reply, but
restrained himself, and simply made answer:

"Good intentions, I know, are not money. Still, they should be
considered as some extenuation in a debtor, and at least exempt him
from unnecessarily harsh treatment. No man can tell how it may be with
him in the course of a few years, and that, if nothing else, should
make every one as lenient towards the unfortunate as possible."

"If you mean to insinuate by that," replied Grasper, in a quick voice,
"that I am likely to be in your situation in a few years, I must beg
leave to say that I consider your remarks as little better than an
insult. It's enough, let me tell you, for you to owe me and not pay me,
without coming into my store to insult me. If you have nothing better
to say, I see no use in our talking any longer." And Grasper made a
motion to turn from his debtor. But the case of Layton was too urgent
to let him act as his indignant feelings prompted.

"I meant no offence, I assure you, Mr. Grasper," he said,
earnestly,--"I only urged one among many reasons that I could urge, why
you should spare a man in my situation."

"While I have as many to urge why I shall not spare you," was angrily
retorted. "Your account is sued out, and must take its course, unless
you can pay it, or give the required security under the law."

"Won't you take my notes at three, six, nine, and twelve months, for
the whole amount I owe you? I am very confident that I can pay you in
that time; if not, you may take any steps you please, and I will not
say a single word."

"Yes, if you will give me a good endorser."

Layton sighed, and stood silent for some time.

"Will that suit you?" said Grasper.

"I am afraid not. I have never asked for an endorser in my life, and do
not know any one who would be willing to go on my paper."

"Well, just as you like. I shall not give up the certainty of a present
legal process, for bits of paper with your name on them, you may depend
upon it."

The poor debtor sighed again, and more heavily than before.

"If you go on with your suit against me, Mr. Grasper, you will entirely
break me up," said he, anxiously.

"That's your look-out, not mine. I want nothing but justice--what the
law gives to every man. You have property enough to pay my claim; the
law will adjudge it to me, and I will take it. Have you any