and from it he stepped into the office. The door was closed and locked after him. Precisely at nine the door was unlocked and opened, so that any one could enter. Men looked at each other, then into the office, then at the notice, but they would not enter and present their bills. “ Do you go in and try ,” said one to his neighbor. "I am not as much in debt as you think for,” was the answer. “ Do you go,” was said to anoth er. “ I think I will wait and see what others do,” was the reply. “ Why don’t you try it?” said the fourth. “ Well, there is plenty of time yet” ; and thus the time passed on. It was nearly eleven o’clock when an old couple, who were very poor and helpless, came up to the office and said, “ It it true that Lord Congleton has offered to pay our debts?" “ Well, yes; but he has not paid any yet.” “ Has any one been in to see if he would?” “ No, not yet.” “ Why, wife,” said he, “ that’s his lordship’s signature, thank God we can die free from debt” ; and they both started for the office door. “ That’s right, old man, go in first and let us know how you fare.” “ Don’t you think yourself out of poverty or debt yet.” “ Sure he’ll find himself nicely fooled.” These were some of the com ments they heard, but they heeded them not. Within the office they found Lord Congleton. The old man laid his statements on the table, saying, “ There, my lord, are my debts. I have no property, but it matters not; I want to die free from debt." “ Why should I pay your debts?” asked Lord Congleton. “ I do not know, except you said you would. I saw your signature, and I believe your promise.” “ That is enough,” answered Lord Congleton. Then, turning to his clerk, he said, “ Draw out a check for the full amount.” He did
came the cen te r of attraction. Crowds began to gather around the various placards through the vil lage and at the office. As they read, their curiosity became aroused; it was too good to be true; they would call at the steward’s office and in quire. “ What does this mean?” “ That is Lord Congleton’s signature and the notice speaks for itself; that is all I know about it. I was ordered to put up the notice, and there it is; read for yourselves.” The day appointed by the notice rapidly drew on. The excitement of the tenants increased. Although the notice was very simple and plain, so that a child could read and understand it, yet there were many different mean ings taken from it. At last the day came, and the crowd of tenants and lookers-on gathered about the office. A little before nine, the appointed hour, Lord Congleton's carriage drove up,
NOTICE L ord Congleton will be present, with his steward, at his office in the village, between the hours of nine and twelve on Tuesday, the 14th inst., and will there pay free ly all accounts and debts, to whom soever due, of any of his tenants who cannot discharge their obliga tions. To avail themselves of this offer, the applicants must present their accounts in the form of sepa rate bills, containing an exact state ment of the amount and nature of the debts owing each creditor; and they must also give a statement of their own means and whatsoever property they have.” (Signed) Qongleton. Lord Congleton had the above notice posted up in various places through the village that lay upon his estate, and also the large gate of his private grounds, so that everyone could see it. It soon be
THE KING’S BUSINESS
32
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker