This was drank, we need not say, with an anxious and sincere heart.
“Do you know now,” said M'Loughlin, “that I think there's a very great difference between little M'Slime, and that Vulture of hell, M'Clutchy. The little fellow came riding past to-day, and seeing me in the field, he beckoned to me:—
“'I hope,' says he, 'that certain reports, which I was sorry to hear of, are unfounded?'
“'What reports, Mr. M'Slime?' says I to him.
“'Why,' said he, 'it is not out of idle curiosity that I make the inquiry, but I trust from better and more Christian motives;' and, upon my conscience, the little fellow turned up his eyes towards heaven, in a way that would shame Father Roche himself. Faith, if there wasn't truth there, I don't know where you could get it. 'The reports I speak of,' says he, 'touch the solvency of your firm.'
“'Able to pay fifty shillings in a pound,' said I, not willing to encourage the outcry.
“'I'm delighted to hear it,' says generous little Solomon; 'but all I have to say is, that if it had been otherwise, or should it actually be otherwise, so far as a few hundred pounds go, you may draw upon a man—a sinner—a frail mortal and an unworthy—named Solomon M'Slime. This,' he went on, 'is not mere worldly friendship, Mr. M'Loughlin, that promises much until the necessity arrives, and then do all such promises flee as it were into the wilderness. No, my friend,' says the warm-hearted little saint, 'no my friend, these offers are founded not on my own strength, so to say, but upon those blessed precepts, Mr. M'Loughlin, which teach us to love our neighbors as ourselves—and to do unto others even as we wish they should do unto us.' He squeezed my hand, and whispered in my ear—'As far as three hundred pounds go, should you require it, rely on me; but harkee,' says he, 'and now,'—well, here's his health—'and now,' says he, 'and now,'—oh! I knew he was in earnest—'and now,' says he, 'one word with you—I trust—I hope, I may say, that I am a Christian man, who would not speak aught against my neighbor; but this, out of a principle of Christian kindness, I will say;—beware of Valentine M'Clutchy. It is known there!' said he, pointing his finger, and turning up his eyes to heaven—'it is known there from what motives I speak this. I am glad I saw thee—peace be with thee—farewell, and do not despise or overlook my services, or my poor sinful offers.'”
“Now,” said the simple-minded but upright and unsuspicious man, “I do say that was no every-day offer. I would be glad to hear M'Clutchy make such an offer to any man—for which reason here's little Solomon's health once more, and long life to him!”