.

"It's a bad business certainly, Sam--but now about the rent?"

"Hut! de'il a penny o' rent I have--hell take the tester; and yet,
for all that, all pay you afore a laive the room--what do you think of
that?"

"I don't understand it, Sam."

"Now," said Sam, going over to Solomon, "you'll pay Mr. M'Clutchy the
sum of twelve pounds, fourteen, and three pence for me, Mr. M'Slime--if
you please, sir."

There was a peremptory tone in his words, which, joined to the
glittering look he riveted on Solomon, actually fascinated that worthy
gentleman.

"My friend," replied Solomon, taking out his pocket-book, and seeming to
look for a memorandum, "you have made a slight mistake against yourself;
the sum, I find, is twelve pounds, seventeen, and three pence, so that
you have made a slight mistake of three shillings, as I said, against
yourself."

"Do you pay the half year's rent, which is the sum, I say, and you may
give the three shillings in charity, which I know you will do."

"Shall I fill the receipt," asked Val, looking to Solomon.

"Fill it," said the other, "I am very glad I happened to have so much
about me, poor man."

"So am I," returned Sam, significantly.

Solomon rose, and with all the calmness of manner which he could assume,
laid the money down before M'Clutchy.

"Try," said he, "if that is right."

"Show here," said Sam, "ail reckon em;" and having done so, he put one
particular note in his pocket--"Never you mind," he added, addressing
himself to Val, "I'll give you another note for this;" and he winked
significantly as he spoke. He accordingly did so, and having paid the
money and received his receipt, he bid them goodbye, once more winking,
and touching his waistcoat pocket as he went. He had not been long gone,
however, when Solomon once more examined his pocket-book, and in a tone
which no pen could describe, exclaimed, "verily, the ways of Providence
are wonderful! Will you look again at that money?" said he--"I have
given away a note for ten pounds instead of a note for one."

"It is not here, then," replied Val, "but I'll venture to say that Sam,
the knave, put it in his pocket when he made the exchange."

"Shall I call him back?" said Phil, "there he goes towards the gate."

"No," replied the other, "I have great reliance on Sam's honesty. He
will return it no doubt on perceiving the mistake, or if not, I shall
send to him for it. Yes, I know Sam is honest--truly the ways of
Providen