MY OLD FRIEND NICK 63 



But on the whole fortune smiled on the partner- 

 ship and the partners. Yet, alas, one night, when 

 the chicks were about as big as half-grown 

 pigeons, a driving storm of wind and rain came. 

 All night the wind roared from the east, the rain 

 poured, the loose shutters banged, and my 

 thoughts wandered to the partnership assets. 



The morning dawned bright and beautiful, 

 and at five o'clock I came downstairs. On open- 

 ing the side door I nearly fell over the convulsed 

 frame of my small partner, sitting doubled up 

 on the threshold, plunged in unavailing grief. 



"What in the world is the matter, Nick?" I 

 asked. 



"Enry," gasped Nick, "Hi want ye to coom 

 down to th' 'ouse, hand take hevery blank-dashed 

 cheekin to 'ell wi' ye. The business 'as gone to 

 'ell!" And Nick lifted up his voice and fairly 

 squalled in the extremity of his sorrow. 



Although bursting with laughter at his ridicu- 

 lous appearance, I did my best to soothe him, and 

 finally he became composed sufficiently to lead 

 the way toward the scene of our financial col- 

 lapse. 



Not a word of explanation would Nick give, 

 only, "Tha'll see soon enow, 'Enry. Hi thot 

 Hi was a gude 'en man, but tha knowst more nor 

 Hi." 



Arrived at the farm a most ridiculous and as- 



