Valentine M'Clutchy, The Irish Agent eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 786 pages of information about Valentine M'Clutchy, The Irish Agent.

Valentine M'Clutchy, The Irish Agent eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 786 pages of information about Valentine M'Clutchy, The Irish Agent.

“I don’t understand it, Sam.”

“Now,” said Sam, going over to Solomon, “you’ll pay Mr. M’Clutchy the sum of twelve pounds, fourteen, and three pence for me, Mr. M’Slime—­if you please, sir.”

There was a peremptory tone in his words, which, joined to the glittering look he riveted on Solomon, actually fascinated that worthy gentleman.

“My friend,” replied Solomon, taking out his pocket-book, and seeming to look for a memorandum, “you have made a slight mistake against yourself; the sum, I find, is twelve pounds, seventeen, and three pence, so that you have made a slight mistake of three shillings, as I said, against yourself.”

“Do you pay the half year’s rent, which is the sum, I say, and you may give the three shillings in charity, which I know you will do.”

“Shall I fill the receipt,” asked Val, looking to Solomon.

“Fill it,” said the other, “I am very glad I happened to have so much about me, poor man.”

“So am I,” returned Sam, significantly.

Solomon rose, and with all the calmness of manner which he could assume, laid the money down before M’Clutchy.

“Try,” said he, “if that is right.”

“Show here,” said Sam, “ail reckon em;” and having done so, he put one particular note in his pocket—­“Never you mind,” he added, addressing himself to Val, “I’ll give you another note for this;” and he winked significantly as he spoke.  He accordingly did so, and having paid the money and received his receipt, he bid them goodbye, once more winking, and touching his waistcoat pocket as he went.  He had not been long gone, however, when Solomon once more examined his pocket-book, and in a tone which no pen could describe, exclaimed, “verily, the ways of Providence are wonderful!  Will you look again at that money?” said he—­“I have given away a note for ten pounds instead of a note for one.”

“It is not here, then,” replied Val, “but I’ll venture to say that Sam, the knave, put it in his pocket when he made the exchange.”

“Shall I call him back?” said Phil, “there he goes towards the gate.”

“No,” replied the other, “I have great reliance on Sam’s honesty.  He will return it no doubt on perceiving the mistake, or if not, I shall send to him for it.  Yes, I know Sam is honest—­truly the ways of Providence are wonderful.”

So saying, with a visage peculiarly rueful and mortified, he closed his book and put it in his pocket.

The last person whom we shall notice was Brian M’Loughlin, on whose features care had recently made a deep impression.  On being asked to sit, he declined—­“I thank you,” said he, “my visit will be but a short one, and what I have to say, I can say standing.”

“That as you please, Mr. M’Loughlin; shall I fill your receipts?”

“No,” replied the other, “I simply came to state, that, owing to the derangement of our affairs, I am not just now in a condition to pay my rent.”

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Valentine M'Clutchy, The Irish Agent from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.