"I never dreamed of such an insult from _you_, sir, at such a time, too, just as my uncle in the south has expired,--and his agent with me to deliver up the portion bequeathed to me--it is--it--sir, I cannot express in language my feelings. Take out of that the paltry sum I owe you,"--throwing down the thousand dollar bill,--"and henceforth I never will enter your door. Just at a time too," he further added, "when I had intended to make your house my home, and endeavor to make some return for your forbearance. It is too much--my feelings are lacerated," and here he became almost overpowered by emotion.
The strip of crape around his hat--put there to hide the greasy band--the thousand dollar bill, and the renovated coat, which looked like new on the possessor of such a sum, all assured the landlord that he had been _hasty_. He, therefore, denied the indignity, straight, said that it was an impertinence of his servant, who had _twice_ before offended his best guests by his insolence, and assured Tom that he would discharge the fellow forthwith--pushed back to him the thousand dollar bill, and begged he would forget the circumstance--indeed, he felt shocked that such an outrage had been perpetrated upon his _oldest_ friend and customer. These warm expressions mollified Tom's wrath, and folding up his bill he walked back, resumed his seat, returned the bill to the southerner, merely remarking he had "brought the landlord to his feelings," and cheerfully sipped a _little_ iced champagne. As he left the table arm-in-arm with his friend, the landlord approached, bowing, and begged to know where he should send for his trunk, as No. 24, a fine airy room, which would suit him to a charm, was at present empty. Tom said he would send the baggage up, and after lighting a choice Havana, strolled out with an air aristocratic.
In good time, the trunk arrived--a rude one, but _very heavy_. The landlord winked as the servant bent beneath its weight, and remarked, as he paid the porterage, that a large quantity of bullion was generally rather heavy. Tom was in clover--the thousand dollar bill got whispered about, and one of his creditors, a fashionable tailor, insisted on trusting him for another suit; he yielded after much persuasion, and it was astonishing how everything altered with Tom's appearance. His note was good for any small sum now, and it was a pleasure to make his acquaintance.