romise
generously; but, when it came to drawing a check, he whiningly protested
that five hundred was five, three hundred three, and so on.

"This time, father, it is very urgent. John is in a tight fix. Misfortune
has been assailing him right and left, and he is nearly bankrupt."

"Ha, ha! Serve him right," chuckled the old man. The words positively
rattled in his throat. "I always told you he was a fool. I told you, but
you wouldn't listen to me. You insisted upon marrying a sky pilot. Apply
up there for help." He pointed to the ceiling.

"Father, father, be reasonable. There is a man at our house--a sheriff's
officer. Think of it!"

"Aha, has it come to that!" laughed the miser. "Now, he will wake up.
Now, we shall see!"

"Not only that, father. Dick may go away."

"What, fleeing from justice?"

"No, no, father. He is going to volunteer for service in the war."

She commenced to give him details, but he hushed her down. "How
much?--How much?" he asked, insultingly. "I told you before that you
have no justification for regarding your son as my heir. Who told you
that I was going to leave him a penny? He's a pauper, and dependent upon
his father, not upon me. I owe him nothing."

"Oh, father, father, it is expected of you."

"How much?" snapped the old man.

"Oh, quite a large sum, father. I want you to advance me some of my
allowance, as well. I must have at least two thousand dollars."

"What!" he screamed. "Two thousand! Two, you mean. Get me my
check-book--get me my check-book."

He pointed to the desk. She knew where to find it, and hastened to obey,
thinking to rush the matter through. She took the blotting-pad from the
desk, and placed it on her father's knees, and brought an inkstand and a
pen, which she put into his trembling fingers.

"Two thousand, father," she said, gently.

"No--two!" he snarled, flashing out at her and positively jabbering in
his anger. He filled in the date, and again looked around at her,
tauntingly. Then, he wrote the word "Two" on the long line.

"Two. Do you understand?" he snarled, thrusting his nose into her face,
as she bent over him to hold the blotting-pad. "That's all you'll get out
of me." He filled in the figure two below, and straggling noughts for
the cents. Then, he paused and addressed her again, emphasizing his
remarks with the end of the penholder.

"I'll have you understand that this is the last of your borrowing and
begging. I am not giving you th