Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1870-03-04

With q motion Durant assented, and the boy
started in pursuit of Col. Mansfield. The re-
| suit of his mission has been inferred by the
reader, for it was Awnings face that had star
tied Miss Marston when she beheld it gleam-
| ing at her through the window.
| Her startled cry caused the boy to beat
hasty retreat, and with rapid footsteps he
made his way to the gamblers dwelling to
make his report.
| Mr.. Belphor was alone in his chamber when
the boy entered but was joined by Mr.. Leslie
Durant before he had time to speak.
| "Well, have you followed that officer ?''
asked Belphor.
| 81 guess have, and seen the lady too, and
he was SO lovin' with her. I was lin ten feet
of 'em for an hour, and, GosLINs the love
they DID talk ! I'd have heard more, but she
seen me and had to cut and run or they'd
have nabbed me, and guess I'd got goslins
THEN!
"Where does this lady live?"
"Why, close to Washington Square, where
| / got dubbed for stonin' sparrows."
"And you heard the officer and lady talk ~
continued Belphor.
"You'd better believe did. She said she
loved him, and he said he loved her. And
they looked as if they did"
''You have done well, }" said Belphor. "There
is a ten-dollar bill for you-but the name of
the lady, did you find that out?
| eyes, he called her MISS Anna first, and
then he got down to Anna all alone, and then
he hitched on o handle, and it was DEAR
Annal'
| "You heard no other name ~
emo"
"Then you will have to show me the
house." .eF
"Give me another x and 1 will %
"You little rascal Have you no con-
science ?"
81 guess not-have you so 1 can see what
/ it's like ?''
He hits you again, Frank" said Durant
laughing. 81 guess the boy has as much con-
| science either you or /, and he would have
precious little at that. You had better give
him the extra ten and make him clean up and
get better clothes l think when the dirt and
rags are off, Tll remember who it is that he
looks like' s.
"Tll give you another ten-dollar bill, but
you must go and wash and get some better
clothes ON if do, SO you can go with me to
the house.. Will you do it ~ 4a@
Gin course will. I'll ketch cold, maybe,
tallin' off the rough dirt, but it isn't no worse
than the measles. I've had THEM"
"Can you get other clothes tonight ?"
Eyes night is just the time to work down
on Water or in Baxter street."
Colonel Mansfield had Just finished his
morning toilet the day after the occurrences
just narrated when servant brought up a
card, and announced the gentleman whose
name it bore as waiting below.
Lieutenant Muggns "A singular name.
I remember no such officer but never mind
show him upp' said the Colonel.
IL couple of minutes Lieutenant Muggins
entered He was not in uniform. He wore
black frock-coat that was rather seedy. His
clothes had been good and fashionable once,
but it was "long, long ago." His face was
not prepossessing. 1t had that brutalized
| look which the constant use of strong drink
/ will give to any man. And yet there was
something in his air, erect carriage even in
the manner in which he bowed as he lifted
his hat, that said he had once been a gentle
| man.
els this your card, share you Lieutenant
| Muggins ?" asked the Colonel, as he handed a
chair to his visitor.
"That is my name, sir Have I the honor
to address Colonel Edgar. Mansfield? % replied
| the other.
"My name is Mansfield, and I commanded
the --th cavalry during the late unpleasant
ness. May ask to what branch of the SER
vice you are attached, as the lack of uniform
does not permit me to judge without asking?'
"To none at present. 1 was in the infantry,
but got sick and resigned. I have called, sir,
on very disagreeable business, that is to any
| but us MILITARY men it would be disagreed
ble."
And Lieutenant Muggins Strengthened up,
| took out very shallow-looking pocketbook,
and from it extracted note'
Rising, he extended this to the Colonel, and
| said: s
81 have the honor, sir, to say that when you
have taken note of the contents of that docu-
ment, 1 shall be most happy to be referred to
the friend whom you may select to arrange
preliminaries."
| The Colonel took the note. 1t was I'M
sealed. He read it and sarcastic smile played
| over his features as he did so. It took but
| few seconds, and then he quietly tore the mis-
sive into scraps and threw them on the floor.
"What am to infer from that action, sir
| What reply am to take back to my friend,
Mr.. Frank Belphor?" cried Lieutenant Mug
| gins.
81 have no reply to make to a man of his
class and business" said the Colonel, quietly.
"When he dies, if justice is done, the HANG
MAN will expedite him on his route below.
1t is not work for gentleman to do. If you
remain here one minute more, LIEUTENANT
Muggins, after the declaration that you are
the FRIEND of a gambler and a scoundrel, you
will have the opportunity of saying that l
condescended to kick you out of my ROOM"
"You would kick meme, sir? Ill-I'LL-"
"Well, sir, WHAT will you do?"
And Colonel Mansfield rose from his chair,
and began with slow, measured step to adj
vance toward the Lieutenant, whose face was
very red-almost purple-but now began to
whiten.
''I'n go, sir, without being kicked, to tell
him you refuse to fight and he'll post you,
sir, and chastise you, too! Maybs you'll
kick HIMl'' . .# a-s.a.
The Lieutenant was hurrying over the 5hresh-
old when he said this, and as his face was
yet turned toward what he deemed the point
of attack-that is, the end of the Colonels
heavy cavalry boot--he did not see where he
was going, and being at the head of fight