按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
a gig； comes by nature）…late severe times…induced to sign bills with
a friend； for which he received no value…landlord sequestrates…
creditors accept a composition…pursuer sets up a public…house…fails
a second time…is incarcerated for a debt of ten pounds seven shillings
and sixpence…his debts amount to blank…his losses to blank…his
funds to blank…leaving a balance of blank in his favour。 There is
no opposition； your lordships will please grant commission to take
his oath。''
Hardie now renounced this ineffectual search； in which there was
perhaps a little affectation； and told us the tale of poor Dunover's
distresses； with a tone in which a degree of feeling； which he seemed
ashamed of as unprofessional； mingled with his attempts at wit； and
did him more honour。 It was one of those tales which seem to argue
a sort of ill…luck or fatality attached to the hero。 A well…informed；
industrious； and blameless； but poor and bashful man； had in vain
essayed all the usual means by which others acquire independence；
yet had never succeeded beyond the attainment of bare subsistence。
During a brief gleam of hope； rather than of actual prosperity； he
had added a wife and family to his cares； but the dawn was speedily
overcast。 Everything retrograded with him towards the verge of the
miry Slough of Despond； which yawns for insolvent debtors； and
after catching at each twig； and experiencing the protracted agony of
feeling them one by one elude his grasp； he actually sunk into the
miry pit whence he had been extricated by the professional exertions
of Hardie。
‘‘And； I suppose； now you have dragged this poor devil ashore；
you will leave him half naked on the beach to provide for himself？''
said Halkit。 ‘‘Hark ye；''…and he whispered something in his ear；
of which the penetrating and insinuating words； ‘‘Interest with my
Lord；'' alone reached mine。
‘‘It is _pessimi exempli；_'' said Hardie； laughing； ‘‘to provide for
a ruined client； but I was thinking of what you mention； provided
it can be managed…But hush！ here he comes。''
The recent relation of the poor man's misfortunes had given him；
I was pleased to observe； a claim to the attention and respect of the
young men； who treated him with great civility； and gradually engaged
him in a conversation； which； much to my satisfaction； again
turned upon the _Causes C