﻿THE SEVEN-SHILLING PIECE. 



51 



Why do you ask that question ? ' 



** Because, if it would, I would gladly pay in a small deposit." 



The money-dealer stared. 



" You seem surprised ; you don't know my person or my motive ; 

 I '11 at once explain. Do you recollect, some twenty years ago, when 

 you resided in Essex ? " 



" Perfectly." 



" Well, then, sir, perhaps you have not forgotten the turnpike 

 gate through which you passed daily ? My father kept that gate, 

 and was often honored with a few minutes' chat with you. One 

 Christmas morning my father was sick, and I attended the toll-bar. 

 On that day you passed through, and I opened the gate for you. Do 

 you remember it, sir ? r 



" Not I, my friend." 



" No, sir ; few suck men remember their kind deeds, but those 

 who are benefited by them seldom forget them. I am, perhaps, 

 prolix ; however, only a few moments,, and I have done." 



The banker began to feel interested, a-rid at once assented. 



" Well, sk, as I said before, I threw open the gate for you, and as 

 I considered myself in duty bound, I wished you a happy Christmas. 

 * Thank you, my lad,' replied you ' thank you ; and the same to 

 you ; here is a trifle to make it so ;' and you threw me a seven- 

 shilling piece. It was the first money I ever possessed; and I never 

 shall forget my joy in receiving it, or your kind smile in bestowing 

 it. I long treasured it, and as I grew up, added a little to it, till 1 

 was able to rent a toll myself. You left that part of the country, 

 and I lost sight of you. Yearly, however, I had been getting on ; 

 your present brought fortune with it : I am now comparatively rich, 

 and to you I consider I owe it all. So this morning, hearing that 

 there was a run on your bank, I collected all my capital, and have 

 brought it to lodge with you, in case it can be of any use ; here it 

 is ;" and he handed a bundle of bank notes to the agitated Thomp- 

 son. "In a few days I '11 call again," and snatching up his hat, the 

 stranger, throwing down his card, walked out of the room. 



Thompson undid the roll ; it contained 30,000 ! The stern-heart- 

 ed banker for all bankers must be stern burst into tears. , The 

 firm did not require this prop ; but the motive was so noble, that even 



