The Argosy — page 102: what you’re looking at

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

go Lady Grace. ‘If you never did it before, that’s no reason why you might not have done it on this occasion,” was the unanswerable response. “T have never done it,” returned Charles. ‘Now, consider, Jephson. You have known me well for two years; Godfrey knows me: do you think it likely that I would repudiate a bill of my own acceptance? Am I capable of it?” “It is scarcely possible to believe so. But there #5 the bill.” “ And if it were mine, I would take it up, did it involve a sum that would ruin me. Do you remember that bill in my college days, which was such a nightmare to me ; and some of you wanted me to plead minority and get rid of it?” “And you stuck out for honour, and declined the advice, and went into unheard of straits to take it up. I remember.” ‘“‘ Well, Jephson, that bill was a life’s lesson to me. I declare to you that I have never given another or accepted one. I don’t believe I ever shall.” The bill, dated London, was drawn a month ago. Charles could not plead that he was then on Circuit, as he ought to have been. It was a curious coincidence that at the date of the bill he was in London, having run up for a couple of days upon some intricate law business, which without him was at a standstill. “How do you say it came into your hands, Jephson?” he asked. “We received it from White, the engraver and jeweller,” was the reply. ‘Some property White is entitled to got thrown into Chancery, and we have been acting for him. The expenses are draining him, and he had some difficulty to pay our last bill of costs. My brother pressed for it: one can’t work for nothing : and White brought this bill of yours, and asked if we would take it in payment. Godfrey did so, and handed White the balance.” “You ought to have doubted how a bill of mine should get into a jeweller’s hands.” “Not at all,” drawled Jephson, who was exceedingly indolent in manner and speech. “ Rather likely hands for a gentleman’s bill to get into, I should say. White told us the bill was given for jewellery you had bought.” “ Jewellery !” retorted Charles, ‘All the jewellery I have bought in the last six months is a silver pencil case—if you can call that jewellery ; and for that I gave seven shillings and paid at the time. I am not likely to lay out eighty-one pounds in jewellery: I am laying by for something far more important than that.” ‘Well, what’s to be done?” “ Nothing—as far as Iam concerned. You'll not get me to pay a bill I’ve never seen or heard of.” ‘‘We must protest it, Baumgarten.” I can’t help that.” They came to no satisfactory conclusion. And Mr. Jephson departed, taking the bill with him: declaring to the last, in his idle, comicbooks.com