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

which he found himself to the very danger
which he sought to avoid. He stood for a
moment transfxed with terror, uncertain
whether to fall down in faint or rush down
the nearest alley. Great emergencies give
birth TO bold resolutions. At that moment
Mr.. Sparkes caught sight of card in Pluck
ett's window 1t was inscribed, lodgings
for single gentlemen
The next instant Mr.. Sparkes was on the
sheriff-s officers steps, knocking at the sher-
ifs officers door. A burly man in a low
crowned hat answered the summons.
You have lodgings to let, observe said
Sparkes.
Yes, have,' replied the stout man.
Can I see them!'
Certainly
Mr.. Sparkes entered, and the stout man pro-
ceeded to show him the rooms.
Have the pleasure. inquired Sparkes, 'of
speaking to Mr.. Plucken! .
You have, sir; Pluckett, officer of the
sheriff Of Middlesex ! and as Sparkes, with
an assumed air of ease, inspected the various
fittings of the apartment, Mr.. Pluckett drew
from his pocket piece of paper, and appeared
to be taking an inventory of his visitor. Very
strange he said in an under tone, to himself,
but the description tallies exactly tall, dark
hair and whiskers, large front teeth, brown
eyes, and wears collar turned down. Answers
the description to T; but no, it cannot be-
man with cdpids out against him would
never go and take lodgings at sheriff's Off
GERS. Pooh, pooh, of course not;' and Mr..
Pluckett dismissed the thought with disdain.
Well, think the apartments will suit me,
Mr.. Pluckett, said Sparkes.
Very good, sir; when would you please
to come inl'
Why, now, Mr.. Pluckett. I've brought
my carpet-bag and mean TO take possession at
once. There's weeks rent in advance
1t was rule with Mr.. Pluckett to dispense
with references, when money was paid in ad-
vance; and thus Mr.. Sparkes became installed
in his new apartments without further trouble
w Would Mr.. Pluckett take anything!'
well, Mr.. Pluckett did not mind
Mr.. Sparkes and his landlord were speedily
occupied in discussing a pot of stout, over
which they became very good friends indeed.
should think, now,' said Sparkes, in a
philosophic tone, that yours is a strange life,
Mr.. Pluckettl'
Well, it is a strange life,' replied the sher-
ifs officer
An exciting life,' said Sparkes
quite so,' replied Pluckett. Hunting the
human species is very exciting, especially
when man takes pride in it,
Which you do, suppose, Mr.. Pluckett.'
Well, it depends entirely upon the case,
Mr.--, | beg your pardon, but think you
said your name VAS
Thompson said Sparkes.
1t depends entirely upon the case, Mr.
Thompson continued MIR. Pluckett. 'If a
party sits quietly at home In the bosom of his
family, waiting to be took, it's unpleasant
There's no sport in that kind of business; but
where party locks his front gate, and goes
and comes, night and morning, over the garden
wall, there's excitement in that. You feel
some satisfaction in catching clever dodger
like him.
Have you many affairs on now, Mr..
Plucketl'
Mr.. Pluckett owned to few.
Il have just had Instruction. said that
worthy, so look after young gent up Tot
tenham Court Road way. A tailor's bill, l
thnk-forty pound odd. He's sure to run
agin me some of these days. Ha 4! han
Ha! ha = laughed Thompson, hiding his
confusion in the pewter.
Very odd, said Mr.. Pluckett, 'but descrip-
tion of the gent just answers 10 you, Mr..
Thompson. I'm dashed if didn't think you
was the cove when opened the door to you :;
but, of course, man wouldn't come here TO
look for lodgings if he wanted to keep out or
the way of the sherif''s officers. Hal ha =
Ha! ha y laughed Thompson, rather on
the wrong side of his mouth, 'of course not
Gents name,' continued Mr.. Pluckett,
looking at his pocket-book, 'is--let me see
Sparkes tall, dark hair and whiskers, brown
eyes, and turn-down collar. | dare say, by
this time, he has shaved his whiskers off, and
taken to wearing al-rounders. Ha! haI'
Ha ha = echoed Thompson. Il dare say
you are up to all such lodges, Mr.. Pluckett. >
Mr.. Pluckett winked, as much as to say,
rather,
The stout having come to an end, Mr.
Plucketi took his leave, hoping Mr. Thompson
would find his lodgings comfortable.
Mr.. Sparke's first impulse, on the departure
of Pluckett was TO escape at once. He start
ed up, seized his carpet-bag, and was making
for the door, when he heard footstep in the
passage. Someone knocked at the door,
Mr.. Sparkes dropped the bag, fell into chair,
and cried Come in with cotemporaneous
precision.
1t was Pluckett's servant come to put the
gentleman's bedroom to rights.
There was no escape now. As the damsel
carried off his bag into the next room, Mr..
Sparkes resolved to take his chance in the IL
on's den.
TT Dave xuoro on an1 NJ. C-.-l..z -.: 4