Now, you know perfectly well what the arrangements and understandings were when these papers were drawn, because you drew them all yourself.

Now, if people come to you I want you to promise me that you're not going to go back on me." The deacon still held the papers in his hand, gesticulating with them.
As he spoke, the lawyer took them, looked at them, and finally said,-- "Deacon, how much money do you need ?" "I can't get through," said the deacon, "with less than nine hundred dollars ready cash, or first-class checks and notes, this very day." "Humph!" said the lawyer, still handling the papers.

"Deacon, I'll make you a straightforward proposition concerning that money.

If you will agree that I shall be agent of both parties in any settlement of these agreements which I hold in my hand, and that you will accept me as sole and final arbitrator in any differences of opinion between you and the signers, I will agree personally to lend you the amount you need, on your simple note of hand, renewable from time to time until you are ready to pay it." "Ray Bartram," exclaimed the deacon, stopping short and looking the lawyer full in the face, "what on earth has got into you ?" "Religion, I guess, deacon," said the lawyer.

"Try it yourself: it'll do you good." The lawyer walked off briskly, and left the deacon standing alone in the street.