The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1867-09-12
Dayy Jones, Junior.
BY BUTTON COOK.
CHAPTER II.


Adjoining Mr. Block wharf stood
the well-known. old-esta bis he'd, riv
er-side tavern, THE Travellers Joy,r
Kept by one Mrs Barford, a widow
woman, much respected in the neigh
,borheodIf 1t was a2weli 'cbndncted
house: its tap-room much frequented
by Thames watermen, sailors and col
Tiers. and its parlor the resort Of such
sensible, sociable tradesmen of the
district as liked genial glass, a
lfriendly talk and peaceful pipe before
they went to bed, 1.-The Traveller
Joy" bore good name. Its liquors
were excellent. and its patrons were,
for the most part, peaceful, orderly
people. 1t was oftentimes said there,
abouts that Mrs: Barford managed her
hostely as well as any man could
better if anything. There had hardly
ever been anything like disturbance
or discomfort known in the house
Some days had passed since Mr..
Blocks departure for Margate. 1t
was an autumn night, cold for the
time of year. A thick, unwholesome
mist hung about the river and its
banks Mrs. Barford was very busy
in her bar, for her customers made
frequent demands upon her for warm
and cordial glasses with which to
counterfeit the unpleasantness of the
weather. In the, tap-room it was
unanimously agreed that it was IAN
uncommon nasty night to be sure. :"
The parlor was of opinion ''that we
should have Christmas upon us now
before we know where we were."
Mrs. Bradford, a stately woman with
a glowing face. tall as a grenadier, and
almost as muscular, was equal to the
occasion. In truth, she was equal to
most occasions. She stirred the bar
J fire till the Kettle sang again, she re-
plemished glasses, she pounded sugar.
she squeezed lemons. Her punch had
seldom been so strong, or so thorough
ly admirable altogether, as on that
disagreeable and unreasonable au-
tumn night.
A man entered hurriedlx, and stood
for a moment irresolute inthe passage
of 1.-THE Travellers joy"
Why mercy on me, Mr. Starke,
how VIII tie you look" exclaimed Mrs.
Barford He's white at most times,
you know" she said afterwards to
Betsy. her assistant handmade in the
bar, but | never saw him look so
white as he looked then"
The newcomer was tall and well
proportional. He was said generally
10 be fine figure of a man" His
features were very regular handsome,
and clean cut, and from his complex
ion being so colorless there was a
lab Of L
head. As he lifted his, broad brim-
med hat (the hat was then in trans
itional state; having abandoned its
old three form, it was on its
way to the chimney pot pattern of our
own times, but its crown was as yet
low aud undeveloped,) his hair was
seen to be carefully combed and crest
ed on his forehead, afterrt the fashion
then prevalent. His dress was of a
sober kind, yet it was worn with a
certain air ofpfetence. His coat was
of snuff colored cloth, double breast
ed, high in the collar, and adorned
with close rows of bright pewter but
tons. His waistcoat was of a broad
striped taffeta His ribbed cotton
stockings were spotless and white as
his cambria neckcloth. His shoes
were brilliantly polished. 1t seemed
as though he were proud, as ne had
some reason to be, of his shaptI< e..
and small feet. A broad green silk
watch ribbon, with a cluster of seals
and KEYS attached, depended from his
fob. altogether he looked somewhat
superior to his real position. which
was simply that of junior partner in
the, firm of Block & Co.. Ship, break
'ers.
Did you not hear the report of
fire arms ?" he inquired anxiously of
the landlady ofsThe Travellers JOY"
His voice trembled somewhat as he
spoke AZ = az so -
~ When? Just nova Two minutes
ago? Well, [ did hear something.
But [ was so busy, ia hardly time to
give it thought. Yes | remember
now, [ heard gun go off I thought
it must have been fired from some
police. boat on the river, In chase of
smuggl!ers, But then the parlor- bell
rang y.sr.lIg
IT was fred at me-" said Mr..
Starkie. gravely.
You never meant it, Mr.. Starkiel
that you DON'T -. - 75i7l
1T was fred at me as l sat. alone in
Mr.. Blocks parlor facing the river.
The bullet passedAciese over my head
and lodged u.the walllbehind me. It
was well aimed. An inch or two
lower, and | had been dead man
Whom did he. suspect. He did
not know whom to uspeet. Hecouid
not think tat the shot had been in
tended for him He, had 30 enemies
that he knewoof9. He was inclined 20
think that the shotmust have been
intended for Mrs. Block. ft" H:a
l"But WHY for Mr. Block 90 asked