An Incident in the Life of a Rascal. 55 



Early next morning, Yansen went to the Exchange, and kept an anx- 

 ious watch for many hours in vain ; he was returning hopeless, when he 

 saw the identical youth coming out of the door of a Jew money-changer 5 

 he brushed hastily past him, exclaiming, " The unconscionable scoundrel ! 

 seventy per cent, for bills on the best house in England !" 



Yansen approached him. " Young gentleman," said he, in a very mild 

 tone, "you appear to have met with some disappointment from that 

 griping wretch Levi. If you have any business to transact, my house is 

 close by j I shall he happy to treat with you." 



" Willingly," replied the youth, " the sooner the better. I must leave 

 Hamburgh at day break." 



The clerk led him to the house of the merchant, and entered it by a small 

 side door, desiring the young man to be seated, whilst he gave some direc- 

 tions. In a few minutes he re-appeared, bringing Von Kapell with him. 

 The worthy Hamburgher having no talent for a roundabout way of doing 

 business, said bluntly, " So, Mynheer ! we are well met -, it will be useless 

 to attempt disguise with me j look at this ! " and he put into his hand the 

 letter he had the night before received. 



Overwhelmed with consternation, the young man fell at his feet. 



" Oh Heaven !" he cried, " I am lost for ever my father, my indulgent, 

 my honourable father, is heart-broken and disgraced by my villany. My 

 mother ! " Here he became nearly inaudible, and hid his face in his hands. 

 " You, " he continued, "are spared all participation in the agony your 

 wretched son is suffering." 



" Boy, boy !" said the merchant, raising him, and quite melted at this 

 show of penitence, " listen to me ! are the bills safe ? if so, you may still 

 hope." 



" They are," eagerly exclaimed the youth -, " how fortunate that I did 

 not listen to the offers of that rapacious Jew. Here, Sir, take them, I 

 implore you," pulling- from his breast a large pocket-book 3 " they are un- 

 touched. Spare but my life, and I will yet atone Oh, spare me from a 

 shameful death." 



There was a pause, broken at last by Yansen's saying significantly to 

 his employer, " as per margin." 



The merchant turned to the unhappy young man. " Take heart," said 

 he, " ' Wenn die noth ist amgroszten die hulfe ist am nachsten/ * There's 

 an old German proverb for you. Sit down, and hear what I have to say. I 

 think myself not a little fortunate in so soon being able to fulfil the wishes 

 of my English correspondents -, your natural alarm did not suffer you to 

 finish their letter ; you will perceive how generously they mean to act j 

 their house's credit saved, they intend not to punish you. Read, read ; and 

 Yansen, order some eatables, and a bottle or two of my old Heidelberg 

 hock, trouble always makes me thirsty three glasses, my good Yansen." 



Again the young Englishman hid his face, and sighed convulsively, " I 

 do not deserve this lenity. My excellent father ! this is a tribute to your 

 virtue." 



Von Kapell left his guest's reflections undisturbed, 'till a servant entered, 

 who placed refreshments on a well polished oak table ; when she retired 

 he resumed, 



* When things are at the worst they must mend. 



