human
I have no great love for William Thornton, he said;
gpt
I never have had; still it is a sad thing to see writs, or executions, or foreclosures, put in force against a man lying in a dangerous, if not a dying, state, from a severe wound. Now, I think you have said, Mr. Wheatley, that you did not mind for your own share in the business, if you could secure your partner.
human
Rather a hard case, sheriff, replied Mr. Wheatley, with one of his short laughs.
gpt
I have breakfasted since, and have, of course, grown hard-hearted. Nothing like an empty stomach for tenderness towards anything, except broiled fowls or cold lamb. However, I won't go back from what I said. If he can secure Mr. Griswold, I will take my chance out of the sweepings.
human
I have no doubt, said the sheriff,
gpt
No! no! cried Mr. Wheatley, with a burst of eager feeling which I had not expected from him.
human
She shall not do it--I will not take it from her. He insulted and outraged her mother; he brought on the death of her father to conceal what he had done; he was, more or less, the murderer of the one and of the other, for grief killed _her_, and the pistol killed _him_; and the daughter shall not be called upon, with my consent, to save him from the consequences of his own folly or his own faults.
gpt
Well, Mr. Wheatley, I said, interposing before the sheriff could reply.
human
Another means, perhaps, may be found. Suppose I advance the money, and place myself in the position of your friend, who originally lent it.
gpt
Oh, that is quite a different case, said Mr. Wheatley.
human
If you choose to do such a thing, I have nothing to say against it. Every man to his taste. Some love helping scoundrels; some prefer to help honest men. The first was rather a passion of mine, some years ago; but I have got over it, and the latter is more to my taste now.
gpt
Still, I replied,
human
Ha! ha! ha! cried Mr. Wheatley.
gpt
Pray arrange your little embroglios as you like for me. She will consent, of course; knowing on whose pocket the loss will fall at length, whether _you_ advance the money or she does. But go and ask her--go and ask her; and then I think we will ride over, Mr. Sheriff, to Bill Thornton's plantation, and see what is the real state of affairs.
human
Very well, replied the sheriff;
gpt
It will not hurt us, Richard, if we lose it, she said.
human
We shall have enough for happiness, I dare say.
gpt
Oh, quite, I answered.
human
But now I am going over to see this unfortunate man, and I trust my dear girl will spend the time till I come back in pondering upon the happiness which her affection confers upon one who loves her with his whole heart. If I know my Bessy rightly, she feels no greater pleasure than in making others happy.
gpt
I wonder if it is to be so through all my life, said Bessy.
human
Every one has spoiled me--parents, friends, relations. And now comes a husband to do it more than all! Richard, Richard, I really must find some occasion to quarrel with you, that you may not make me altogether a spoiled child. There, go away now, and tell the poor man I am ready to do anything I can for him. I wonder that Mr. Wheatley can be so unkind as to ask him for payment of debts, when he is in such a condition.