194 TRUE RICHES; OR,

 

scowling. ‘I never knew the meaning of the word
_—no more than yourself.”

“You are nothing better than a robber,” said the
merchant, bitterly.

“JT only share with bolder robbers their richer
plunder, ’ retorted the man.

“J will not bear this, Martin. Leave my pre
sence.”

“J will relieve you certainly,”’ said the visitor,
rising, “‘ when you have done for me what I wish.
I arrived here, to-day, penniless ; and have called
for a trifling loan to help me on My way North.”

“Loan! what mockery! I will yield no further
to your outrageous demands. I was a fool ever to
have feared the little power you possess. Go, sir |
I do not fear you.”

“J want your check for two hundred dollars—no
more,” said Martin, in a modified tone—“ I will not
be hard on you. Necessity drives me to this resort ;
but I hope never to trouble you again.”

“Not a dollar,” replied Jasper, firmly. ‘And
now, my friend, seek some other mode of sustaining
yourself in vice and idleness. You have received
from me your last contribution. In settling the es-
tate of Reuben Elder to the entire satisfaction of
all parties, I have disarmed you. You have no fur-
ther power to hurt.”’

“You may find yourself mistaken in regard to
my power,” replied Martin as he made a move-
ment toward the door, and threw back upon the
merchant a side-glance of the keenest malignity.
“Many a foot has been stung by the reptile it
spurned.”