The Argosy — page 16: what you’re looking at

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

6 Edina. “What on earth made you run them up?” “T’m sure I don’t know ; and I am very sorry for it,” said Charles. “These things accumulate in the most extraordinary manner. When you think in your own mind you owe but a few shillings at some place or another, it turns out to be pounds. You have no idea what it is, father!” “ Have I not!” returned the Major significantly. ‘“ It is because I have rather too much idea of the insidious way in which debt creeps upon one, that I should like to keep you out of its toils. Charley, my boy, I have been staving off liabilities all my life, and not worried myself in doing it; but it is beginning to tell upon me now. My constitution’s changing. I suppose I must be growing fidgety.” “Well, don’t let this worry you, father. It’s not so much.” “Much or little, it must be paid. I don’t want my son to get into bad odour ‘at the University ; to have ‘debtor’ tacked to his name. You are over young for that, Mr. Charles.” Charles remained silent. The Major was evidently in blissful ignorance of the latitude of opinion current amid the Oxonians. ““You go back and dress yourself, Charles; and get your breakfast over ; and then, just sit down and make a list of what it is you owe, and I'll see what can be done.” Now in the course of this same morning, it chanced that Frank Raynor took occasion to speak to his uncle about money matters, as connected with his own prospects, which he had not previously entered upon during his present stay. The Major was pacing his study in a gloomy mood when Frank entered. ** You look tired, Uncle Francis, Just as though you had danced all night.” “T leave that to you younger men,” returned the Major, drawing his easy chair to the fire. “As to being tired,-Frank, Iam; though I have not danced.” “Tired of what, uncle?” “Of everything, I think. Sit down, lad.” “T want to speak to you, Uncle Francis, concerning myself and my plans,” ania Frank, taking a seat near. “It is time I settled down to somethi.ig.” “Ts it?” was the answer: for the Major's thoughts were else- where. “Why, yes, don’t you think it is, sir? ‘The question is, what is it to be? With regard to the bonds for that missing money, uncle? They have not turned up, I conclude?” “They have not turned up, my boy, or the money either. If they had, you'd have been'the first to hear of it.” “ What is your true opinion about the money, Uncle Francis?” re- sumed Frank after a pause. “Will it ever turn up?” (2 joolc comicbooks.com Mo