The Argosy — page 36: what you’re looking at

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

The House of Halliwell. 23 resumed to Mrs. Halliwell, ‘‘and let him give notice of the intended withdrawal of the money.” “T will,” concluded Mrs. Halliwell. Not one letter, but several, had to pass between the lawyer and Mrs. Halliwell. Fears were aroused. Something was wrong about the money or the company, and the lawyer could get at nothing satisfactory. Alfred went to London, Mrs. Halliwell went to London, Aunt Copp went to London, and they had to return as they went. In a few weeks, when Mr. Halliwell again visited them, the worst was known. “Tt’s all gone,” was Aunt Copp’s shrieking salutation to him when he entered the house. “So you wrote me word,” he answered, with a long face. ‘‘ Can nothing be drawn out of the wreck ?—absolutely nothing ?” ‘Not the ghost of a sixpence,” sobbed Aunt Copp; ‘‘the com- pany has gone and made itself a bankrupt, and a pretty state of things has come to light. Why, they have been going on, all the while, on nothing but credit—and the Major’s money! How he could have been so taken in, I can’t think. A poor, credulous However, he is an angel now, so don’t let us talk about it.” ‘““Aunt Copp,” said Hester, bursting into tears, ‘‘I cannot bear to hear you blame papa. He did it for the best.” “And a fine best it has turned out,” said Aunt Copp snappishly. ‘““He always was a simpleton—don’t frown, Hester. You cannot excuse such imprudence. What do you suppose is to become of you all P” ‘““We must try and support ourselves,” answered Hester. ‘I must, I mean; Lucy and Mary are not old enough.” “Support a fiddlestick!” retorted Aunt Copp. ‘“‘What are you all to live upon >—air? How is your mamma to keep house? How is Alfred to go to college?” Hester put her hand to her brow. ‘““T do not see Mrs. Halliwell,” interrupted their guest; ‘‘ where is she ?” “In her bed, of course,” answered Aunt Copp; “and no wonder, after such a blow. Some people would have had an apoplectic fit. Alfred is up in London again, but his going is of no earthly use. What assets do you suppose this precious company confessed t having, all told ?” | ‘““T don’t know.” “One pound, seventeen shillings, and threepence farthing.” ‘They ought to be punished, those who have had the management of it,” returned Mr. Halliwell. “Punished!” echoed Aunt Copp. ‘I should like to see them all hanging from our yard arm.” ‘Had the Major any debts ?” CoOnnicloookKks im