In a year he will be back, and coolly seek to levy a
contribution of twenty thousand dollars."
"I understood you to say that he only asked for a loan," remarks the
lawyer.
"A loan! That's mere mockery. If you placed ten thousand dollars in
his hands, would you ever expect to see the first copper of it again?"
Grind shrugged his shoulders.
"Of course you would not. It's a levy, not a loan--and so he, in his
heart, regards it."
"He's a dangerous man," said the lawyer, "and it's to be regretted
that you ever had any thing to do with him. But, now that your hand is
in the lion's mouth, the wisest thing is to get it out with as little
detriment as possible."
"Ten thousand dollars!" ejaculated the merchant. "Why, it's downright
robbery! He might just as well stop me on the highway."
"It's a hard case, I must own, Mr. Jasper. You might resist him, and,
at least not let him obtain what he demands without a struggle; but
the question is, may you not receive a mortal wound in the contest."
"Ah! that is the rub, Grind. Rather than meet the exposure he could
make, I would give twenty thousand dollars; yea, half, if not all I am
worth."
Can wealth, held on such a tenure, and in such a state of mind, be
called riches? Ah, no. How the possession is changed from a blessing
into a curse!
"Then, Mr.
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