g but a few
hours, and at other times several days, perhaps even with loss of life.

________________________________________________________________________

THE GOLDEN GRASSHOPPER, A STORY OF THE DAYS OF SIR THOMAS GRESHAM, BY
W.H.G. KINGSTON.

CHAPTER ONE.

PERSECUTION.

In the year of Grace 1551, Antwerp was not only the chief city of the
Netherlands, but the commercial capital of the world. Its public
buildings were also celebrated for the elaborate carving of their
exteriors, for their richly-furnished interiors, and for their general
architectural beauty.

In one of the principal streets of that city there stood a handsome
house, the property of that wealthy and highly-esteemed merchant--Jasper
Schetz. In a private room, the walls richly adorned with carving and
tapestry, sat at a dark oak writing table a gentleman in a black velvet
suit, having a black cap of the same material on his head. On a
high-backed chair near him hung his cloak and rapier, while at his side
he had a short dagger, with a jewelled hilt, ready for use. He was
still young, but his features were grave, and his brow full of thought.
His figure was tall and slight, though perhaps somewhat too stiff to be
graceful. He was evidently a person of note, one more accustomed to
guide men by his counsels, perhaps, than to command them in the field--
rather a financier or diplomatist than a military commander. Another
person was in the room, standing at a high desk at a little distance.
He was a somewhat older man than the former, shorter in figure, and more
strongly built. His countenance also exhibited a considerable amount of
intelligence, as well as firmness and decision of character.

"Write to their lordships, Master Clough, that I have secured a loan
from Lazarus Tucker of 10,000 pounds for six months, with interest at
the rate of 14 per cent, per annum. Acknowledge that the rate is
somewhat high, but the loan could not be procured for less. Say I have
paid over to our good friends Schetz Brothers the sum of 1,000 pounds,
according to the command of the King, as an acknowledgment to them for
the last loan which they obtained for his Majesty."

The gentleman first described continued dictating to the latter, his
secretary, for some time, much in the same style. He then branched off
into other subjects, and gave a sketch of the political events which had
lately occurred in the Netherlands, then ruled by the Emperor Charles
t