54 



AN INCIDENT IN THE LIFE OF A RASCAL. 

 " His name is never heard." 



LATE one evening, a packet of letters, just arrived by the English 

 mail, was handed to Mynheer Von Kapell, a merchant of Hamburgh. 

 His head clerk awaited, as usual, for any orders which might arise from 

 their contents ; and was not a little surprised to observe the brow of his 

 wealthy employer suddenly clouded ; again and again he perused the 

 letter he held, at last audibly giving vent to his feelings 



" Donder and blitzen !" he burst forth, " but this is a shock, who would 

 have thought it ? The house of Bennett and Ford to be shaken thus ! 

 What is to be done ?" 



" Bennett and Ford failed !'' cried the astonished clerk. 



" Failed ! ten thousand devils ! not so bad as that j but they are in 

 deep distress, and have suffered a heavy loss 5 but read, good Yansen ! 

 and let me have your advice." 



The clerk read as follows : 



" London, August 2 Is*. 

 " Most respected friend, 



" Yours of the 5th inst. came safe to hand, and will meet prompt attention. 

 We have to inform you, with deep regret, that the son of the trust-worthy cashier of 

 this long-established house has absconded, taking with him bills accepted by our 

 firm to a large amount, as per margin ; and a considerable sum in cash. We have 

 been able to trace the misguided young man to a ship bound for Holland, and we 

 think it probable he may visit Hamburgh, (where our name is so well known and, 

 we trust, so highly respected) for the purpose of converting these bills into cash. 

 He is a tall, handsome youth, about five feet eleven inches, with dark hair and eyes; 

 speaks French and German well, and was dressed in deep mourning, in conse- 

 quence of the recent death of his mother. If you should be able to find him, we 

 have to request you will use your utmost endeavours to regain possession of the 

 bills named in the margin ; but, as we have a high respect for the father of the 

 unfortunate young man, we will further thank you to procure for him a passage on 

 board the first vessel sailing for Batavia, paying the expence of his voyage, and 

 giving him the sum of two hundred louis d'or, which you will place to our account 

 current, on condition that he does not attempt to revisit England till he receives 

 permission so to do. 



" We are, most respected friend, 



" Your obedient Servants, 



" BENNETT, FORD, AND Co." 

 " Mynheer Von Kapell." 



" My life on't," said Yansen, " 'tis the very lad I saw this day, walking 

 up and down in front of the Exchange, who appeared half out of his wits ; 

 looking anxiously for some particular object, yet shunning general obser- 

 vation : his person answers the description." 



" That's fortunate," said the merchant, " you must devote the morrow 

 to searching for him ; bring him to me if possible, and I'll do my utmost 

 to serve my excellent friends, Bennett and Ford of London." 



