Weaker than a Woman — page 157: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

7 _« ** ~~ a ~ 252 a ies ‘— ws | Ree Tw . e 4 > ,. - A P. Ve, . i i af » Ses —_ _ ~ « = ~ , - : ‘* ' P _ ~ - ” . . i. . ey 7 ? * ‘ey . ws i we) ‘ ¢ - Ye 448 WEAKER THAN A WOMAN. “We can never make up to him for all that he has suffered ; we cannot give him back the strength, the hope, the happiness he has lost; we cannot atone for the wretched hours, the sleepless nights, and the weary days— all that is beyond us. But I have thought of a plan by which we may aid him, and I want the close attention of every gentleman present while I propose it.”’ The earl paused for one moment, and those seated at his hospitable table looked earnestly at him; there was still deeper silence when he began to speak again. “There is no secrecy in England. Everything done in the country is as open as the sea that surrounds it. Our newspapers ventilate everything, and in one sense that is quite right; but in a case like this itis hard. Throughout the length and breadth .of England men have read how Darcy Lonsdale’s case went against him, and how he lost the money left to him. I want something else to go through the length and breadth of the land; I want people to read how Darcy Lonsdale’s friends and townsmen—myself at their head—met and expressed their sympathy with him, and that they presented him with a handsome testimonial to show their full confidence in him and to make up for his loss. That testimonial I propose to head myself with five hundred pounds, and I venture to say there will not be a nobleman or a gentleman in the county who will not add his name to the list.” Cheers again arose—never had the “Bramber Arms” heard such cheers. Darcy Lonsdale’s face had grown deathly pale, but for the strong arm of his son thrown around him, he would have fallen. , “IT have one word more to say, gentlemen,” continued the earl, “and itis this. My agent, Mr. John Sleaman, a gen- tleman whom you all know and respect, is Jeaving me. I am glad to say that a fortune has fallen to him, and that he is going to enjoy it. I propose now to ask Mr. Darcy Lonsdale to take his post. The emoluments are good—one thousand per annum and a house to live in. If he will ac- cept the office I shall be proud to place my interests, my welfare, my property, in the hands of a worthy, honest, and honorable gentleman. Yet one word more. Mr. Lons- dale is no longer young, but he has a son—I wish we all had such a son—and I propose that he acts, if necessary, 1n his father’s place, always, of course, with his authority ; if he does, I shall secure two good agents instead of one. Gentlemen, join me in drinking the health of a valued, comicbooks.com |