LITERATURE.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 837, 28 February 1877, Page 3

LITERATURE.

ONE FARTHING DAMAGES.

Chapter 111.

(Concluded.')

He was, however, far from suspecting Major Howard's identity, but jumped to the conclusion that he was a hostile solicitor employed by Miss Hope to call him to acuount. Major Howard's next remark tended to confirm that impression. 'You stated to Miss Hope, I think, a couple of days ago, that the property bequeathed to her by her father's will had been invested in the Wheal Marina Company, which has just come to grief. You are of course aware that an investment upon such a rotten security was a gross breach of trust, for which you are liable.' ' Not at all; the power of investment is unlimited. Indeed, shares of companies are specially included.' ' You are certain of that ?'

' Quite so. I drew the will myself.' ' Very good. The shares stood, I suppose, iu your own name.' 1 Ye-es; in my name, of course, as sole trustee.'

' Then pray how is it, Mr Slythorpe, that I don't rind your name among the list of shareholders of the company ?' Mr Slythorpe's countenance fell. ' Because—because— I may as well make a clean breast of it—to tell you the truth, the money never was in the company at all. It was a false alarm, sir, a false alarm.'

' Then where on earth ia the money, sir ? And what do you mean by a false alarm ?' ' I'll tell you, if you'll have a little patience. As a brother solicitor, I'm sure j'ou won't press harder on me than you're quite obliged. Miss Hope's money is in the Wheal Mary Ann, one of the most flourishing companies going, and her shares are worth just doublo what I gave for them.' ' Then what on earth induced you—'

'l'll tell you. Between oursplves, I've taken an uncommon fancy to Mis 3 Hope, and I had made up my mind to make her Mrs S. ; but somehow she didn't take to me quite as kindly as I could have wished. Now the other morning when I took up the Times, almost the lirst thing I caught sight of was the smash of the Wheal Marina, and the similarity of name gave me quite a turn, for just at the first moment I thought it was the Wheal Mary Ann. And then the thought struck me, "If it only had been, my lady, you'd have been glad enough to aay ' Yes' to Samuel Slythorpe." And then I thought I'd try it. It _ -was merely a little innocent practical joke,—a roose d" amour, sir; a mere roose d'amour.' And Mr Slythorpe smiled. ' You atrocious scoundrel!'

There was a sudden blow, a heavy crash, and Mr Samuel Slythorpe measured his length on the floor. The clerk outside, hearing the downfall, popped his head into the room, but seeing the state of things discreetly retired again, remarking, ' Beg pardon ; thought you raug, sir.' Meanwhile Major Howard, having knocked Slythorpe down, proceeded to knock him up again ; and with his own dandy caue, which stood by the side of the fireplace, gave him one of the most tremendous thrashings ever recorded in the pages of history. And the clerk in the outer office, who owed Slythorpe many a grudge for acts of petty tyranny, listened at the door, smiling pleasantly at each ' swish' of the descending cane, and finally indulging in a war dance expressive of triumph and exultation round the oftyoe.-stool.

A fortnight later, Major Howard, looking wonderfully better in health and strength, stood before the altar of a quiet city church with a graceful little figure by his side. And with no pomp or ceremony, no breakfast, no speeches, no wedding-guests, with only good Mrs Murgatroyd for bridesmaid, the two true lovers were made one. And six months afterwards, in the Court of Queen's Bench, the great assault case of Slythorpe v Howard was tried. And when the lawyers on both sides had had their say, the presiding judge said, ' Gentlemen of the jnry, it is not disputed that a very violent assault was committed on the plaintiff, and he is therefore entitled to your verdict. But in assessing the damages, gentlemen, you will consider the general merits of the case, and give the plaintiff onlv such compensation as you think he fairly deserves.' And the jury, in awarding one farthing by way of damages, expressed their unanimous regret that there wasn't a smaller coin.