an give me an acknowledgment for the sum I give you now: a regular
receipt will do when I bring you the balance, which, God willin', will
be in about a fortnight."

"Ay, and this is your rent, Mr. O'Hare," exclaimed Phil, gathering up
the money into a lump, and with all his force flinging it at the
man's head; "this is your rent, Mister O'Hare," placing an emphasis of
contempt on the word Mr.; "thirty shillings short, Mr. O'Hare, but I'll
tell you what, Mr. O'Hare, by ---, if you don't have the full rent for
me in two hours, Mr. O'Hare, I'll make short work, and you may sleep
on the dunghill. I can in ten minutes get more rent than you pay, Mr.
O'Hare, so now go to h--l, and get the money, or out you go."

The poor man stooped down, and with considerable search and difficulty,
succeeded in picking up his money.

"In two hours, sir," said he, "I could never do it."

"That's your own business," said Phil, "not mine--if you have it not for
me in two hours, out you go; so now be off to hell out of this, and get
it."

Val, who had been poring over an account-book, now raised his head, as
if disturbed by the noise for the first time--

"What's the matter?" said he, "what is it, Phil?"

"Why, d--n my honor," replied Phil, "but that scoundrel O'Hare, had the
assurance to come to me thirty shillings short of his rent, and, what is
more, only brought me a part of it in gold!"

"God help me!" exclaimed poor O'Hare, "I know not what to do--sure I did
the--best I could."

He then went out to the hall, and was about to leave the house, when
Val rising, called him into another room, where both remained for a few
minutes, after which the man went away, thanking his honor, and praying
God to bless him; and Val, having; seated himself at the desk, appeared
to feel rather pleased at their little interview than otherwise.

"Ah, my dear friend, M'Clutchy," said Solomon, "you are a treasure in
your way--when you do a kind act it is always in secret, ever mindful of
our spiritual obligations, my friend."

"Why," said Val, "a man is not always to trumpet forth any little act
of kindness he may choose to render to a poor simple fellow like O'Hare.
You mustn't mind him, Phil--I have told him not to be in a hurry, but to
take his time."

"Very well," said Phil, who had just knowledge enough of his father's
villany, to feel satisfied, that in whatever arrangement took place
between them, O'Hare's interest was not consulted;* "very we