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hard cash-第159章

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Of these two men which was the rich man; he who had nothing; yet thought he possessed enough for himself and his neighbours: or he who rolled in wealth; but writhed under imaginary poverty?

One reflection more。 Do not look to see Providence dash the cup of prosperity from every dishonest hand; or you will often be disappointed。 Yet this; if you look closer; you shall often see: such a man holds the glittering cup tight; and nectar to the brim; but into that cup a shadowy hand squeezes some subtle ingredient; which turns that nectar to wormwood。

Richard Hardie died; his end being hastened by fear of poverty coming like an armed man; and his guinea a week going。 Matthews met with an accident; and; being impervious to pain; but subject to death; was laid beside his poor mistress in St。 Anne's churchyard。 Julia buried him; and had a headstone put to his grave; and; when this was done; she took her husband to see it。 On that stone was fresh carved the true name of the deceased; James Maxley。

〃I have done what you told me;〃 said Julia; her sweet voice trembling a little。 Even she did not quite know how her husband would take it; or bear it。

〃I _know it;_〃 said Alfred softly。 〃I saw who your Matthews was; but I could not speak of him; even to you。〃 He looked at the grave in silence。

Julia's arms were round his neck in a moment; and her wet cheek consoling his。

〃You have done right; my good Christian wife。 I wish I was like you。 My poor little Jenny!〃

Richard Hardie's papers were found in perfect order; and among them an old will leaving L。 14;000 to Edward Dodd。

On this being announced to Edward; he suggested that it was a fraud: Alfred had been at him for a long time with offers of money; and failing there; and being a fine impetuous fellow; had lost his temper and forged a will; in his; Edward's; favour。

This scandalous defence broke down。 The document was indisputable; and the magic sum was forced down Master Edward's throat; nilly willy。 Thus rose the Hard Cash a second time from the grave。

All this enabled the tenacious Alfred to carry out a deeply…cherished design。 Hardie's late bank had been made into a shop; but it belonged to Mrs。 Dodd。 He bought it of her; and set up the bank again; with Edward as managing partner。 This just suited Edward; who sadly wanted employment。 Hardie & Co。 rose again; and soon wiped out the late disgraceful episode; and looked on to the past centuries of honour and good credit。 No creditor of Richard Hardie was left unpaid。 Alfred went in for politics; stood for Barkington; was defeated by seventeen: took it as a matter of course; told his friends he had never succeeded in anything at first; nor been beaten in the end; stood again; and became M。 P。 for Barkington; whence to dislodge him I pity any one who tries。

For a long time Mrs。 Dodd was nervous; and used to wake with a start at night; and put out her hand to make sure David was not lost again。 But this wore off。

For years the anniversary of that fatal day; when he was brought home on the stretcher; came back to them all as a day of gloom。 But that wore off。

Sometimes the happiness of her family seemed incredible to her; remembering what they had all gone through。 At first; their troubles were too terrible and recent to be discussed。 But even that wore off; and they could talk of it all; and things bitter at the time became pleasant to remember。

One midsummer day they had all dined together rather early at Albion Villa; and sat on the lawn; with Mrs。 Dodd's boy and Julia's boy and girl playing about these ladies' knees。 Now after a little silence; Mrs。 Dodd; who had been thinking quietly of many things; spoke to them all; and said: 〃If my children and I had not been bosom…friends; we never should have survived that terrible time we have passed through; my dears。 Make friends of your children; my child。〃

〃Ah; that I will!〃 said Julia; and caught up the nearest brat and kissed it impetuously: for Wifehood and Maternity had not un…Julia'd her。

〃It wasn't only our being friends; mamma;〃 said Edward; 〃it was our sticking together so。〃

In looking back on the story now ended; I incline to Mrs。 Dodd's conclusion。 Almost my first word was that she and her children were bosom…friends; and my last is to congratulate them that it was so。 Think of their various trials and temptations; and imagine what would have become of them if family love and unity had not abounded。 Their little house was built on the sure foundation of true family affection: and so the winds of adversity descended; and the floods came; and burst upon that house; but could not prevail against it; it was founded on a rock。








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