O the shame and pity of it, and you but
three weeks gone! Loudon, don't blame your partner;
if human hands and brains could have sufficed I would
have held the thing together. But it just slowly
crumbled; Bradley was the last kick, but the blamed
business just MELTED. I give the liabilities--
it's supposed they're all in--for the cowards were
waiting, and the claims were filed like taking
tickets to hear Patti. I don't quite have the hang
of the assets yet, our interests were so extended;
but I am at it day and night, and I guess will make a
creditable dividend. If the wreck pans out only half
the way it ought we'll turn the laugh still. I am as
full of grit and work as ever, and just tower above
our troubles. Mamie is a host in herself. Somehow I
feel like it was only me that had gone bust, and you
and she soared clear of it. Hurry up. That's all
you have to do.
"Yours ever,
"J. PINKERTON.
The third was yet more altered:--
"MY POOR LOUDON," it began, "I labour far into the
night getting our affairs in order; you could not
believe their vastness and complexity.
Pages:
385
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395
396
397
398
399
400
401
402
403
404
405
406
407
408
409