Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1856-01-31

sustained siege of three months in an old
house in Camden Town, had at last capitulat-
ed through Mr.. Pluckeu's c.everness in cut
ting off his supply of water
Thompson was naturally anxious to know
how Pluckett had cotton about Sparkes but
as Plucken did not for some time volunteer
any information, he thought it prudent to re-
frain from broaching SO delicate subject
Pluckett had evidently not caught Sparkes, or
he would have been too happy to say so. At
length, one evening, while Thompson was
shutting the pack for new game, Pluckett,
gazing thoughtfully at the smoke which curled
from his pipe, said l.; You remember, Mr.
Thompson, my speaking to you of a young
gent of the name of Sparkes, that was after ;
'Sparkes, Sparkes,' said Thompson, in a
remembering tone, and ficking the cards
'ah, think do.'
Well,' said Pluckett, Il haven't caught
him.
Haven't you!' said Sparkes, with as
much Indifference as he was master of.
No. said Pluckett 'and it vexes me
rather
Does it now = said Sparkes, throwing a
little more commiseration into his tone.
1t does, Mr.. Thompson. Of course he'd
cut from his lodgings but l couldn't get any
thing out of the people about him. The old
woman said he'd gone to Jericho, she sup
posed; and the gal said she shouldn't wonder
if he'd gone 10 Bath to get his head shaved. ,
Thompson could not refrain from laughing
at what he knew was nothing more than natu-
raj impertnence OF his old landlady and her
'savey but finding Mr.. Pluckett inclined to
take the matter seriously, he suggested grave
ly, that Sparkes might still be in hiding at his
old lodgings
Mr.. Pluckett shook his head sNo, Mr..
Thompson. I'm clear about that. He's left
the neighborhood but never mind, I'll pitch
upon him one of these odd days, or my name s
not Pluckett,' and Mr. p led with the knave
of clubs
Mr.. Pluckett continued for some days to re-
turn from his hunting of the human species
without having pitched upon MIR. Sparkes. 1t
vexed him more and more.
I'm really vexed, Mr.. Thompson, about
this chap. | can't pitch upon him any how /;
and yet people tell me that they've seen him
about Levy knows him, and he swears that
he saw him only yesterday, admiriHg the new
statue of Sir Robert Peel in Cheapside-in
Cheapside, Mr.. Thompson, and in broad day
-ah ! and more than that, Filer's clerk, over
the way-who knows him from having served
him with summons-declares that he saw
him pass my door, and actually look in at the
window.
Mr.. Thompson took the matter seriously,
as it became him, and condoed with Mr..
Pluckett.
1t Injuries me, this sort Of thing said
Pluckett; 'if this goes on much longer my
reputation will suffer-
Mr.. Thompson wished sincerely he could
help MIR. Pluckett in the matter What sort
of person was this Sparkes! If he hap
pened to stumble upon him, he would watch
him.
Mr.. Pluckett went minutely over the de-
scription, and reminded Mr.. Thompson that
he was man not unlike hmself-a reference
which Mr.. Thompson listened TO with some
uneasiness. few more days passed, and
MIR. Pluckett had not then pitched upon that
chap, Sparkes.' He was becoming perfectly
furious over the matter. His reputation was
being ruined /; people chaffed him about it it
was notorious that the fellow was about, and
yet he could not drop upon him; he would
give any money if he could catch that chap.
II was not the amount of the chaps debt that
he cared about; forty pounds was nothing to
his reputation; he would give anybody forty
pounds, then and there, if they would show
him where to pitch upon him.
Mr.. Thompson ventured 10 say here, that he
thought he had got some inkling as to Sparkle S
whereabouts. A person, answering the de-
scription, frequented an eating-house where
he dined. He couldn't be sure about the man,
but
Mr.. Thompson said Pluckett, with ener-
gy, IF you can put me on the track of this
Sparkes, wouldn't mind giving you
Forty pounds suggested Thompson, half
jocularly.
Yes, Mr.. Thompson said Pluckett, with
almost fierceness Of tone-'I'll give you for
ty pounds; for to tell you the truth, Mr..
Thompson, have just had note from the
plaintiff, to say that they will take the matter
out of my hands-and that, that, Mr.. Thomp-
son, would ruin me- And with that, Mr..
Pluckett ran his fingers into his hair, and sat
down in an attitude of despair.
Mr.. Pluckett,' said Thompson, after a
pause, during which time he had been con-
templating the sherff's officer across the table.
Yes said PIuckett, inquiringly, and re-
leasing his hold upon his nair.
Where's the money!
The money! said Pluckett, inquiringIy.
What mo-
The forty pounds, Mr.. Pluckett.'
What = exclaimed Pluckett, then YOU can
pitch upon the chap, Mr.. Thompson
Il can,' replied Thompson
r,