Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1870-03-10

DOcRet3. Anu Ieu 70 et8liuK ~ us l0Astouu
without word to any Of ua
Here Wa mystery for usl We were
not It al surprised that Browler had
some act Of treAcheyy or blood.
thirsty violence, for we bad long been
certain that . man Of his peculiar skull
and features would hesitate 1t nothing
when once fully aroused; but that O'Neil
did mot brain him with ruler ct once,
completely puzzled Us Baxter said he
expected every instant that O'Neil would
use the bowie knife which be had con-
cealed between HE ehcrldeYs, and the
reason that 10 did mot WA probably, be-
cause II was mot sharp enough for Brow
ler's tough skin Baxter pointed out the
bowie knife 70 "a, It making some irregu-
lar punches in O'Neil's coat behind and
when somebody limited II might be only
patent-mspender, Baxter told him, with
horrid sneer, that he had better 20 and
ask, and then come back alive, II he
thought he could.
Many were the theories we Matched re-
garding this mysti6cation. One fellow
went directly over TO Browler's side, oil
ON account of the old mans downcast
looks, and the furtive, meek way he had
of watching O'Feirs slightest movement
O'Neil himself did not say word TO us,
but stalked of home two hours before he
had . right to go, leaving US four in an
agony Of curiosity and suspicion. We
worked ourselves to such pitch, that had
Baxter but given Us the word, we would
have denounced Browler TO the police
and had him in the station house in
twenty minutes; but Baxter advised us
In whisper, TO let the plot rfpen, and then
crush il ct one fell swoop; 70 which We
slowly assented, grasping hands over our
lunch. baskets to demonstrate our unity.
On going gloomily and sternly back to
my policy book, found bit Of paper be-
tween the leaves addressed To me, and
marked confidential" which ran thus
" Dear Smy,be-would you do me the
great kindness to call on me at No. 100
Cockloft street, at eight this EVENING"
Yours, in trouble, David Browler."
I looked over at him and he was
watching me anxiously over his pen
rack. / Was indignant that he should
try to drag me into his rascality, and /
nothing but boy and 50 tore the bit
Of paper to flinders, and flung them on the
floor with as much contempt as | could
get into my motions. His lip trembled
Just like q crying blby's; and his eye
dropped under mine, and he went to work
again.
Ten minutes after, was conscious Of
being Q cruel brute. People are always
very civil and kind to a man who il to be
hung, and why should not I try to be
,bliging to man who certainly deserved
L: determined TO accommodate Brow
er. To get him TO understand this, was
obliged TO wait until the other fellows had
gone, and then slipped around and whis-
Dered over the top of his desk as il Baxter
IVES only yard of-and it surprised me
20 see how very kind could speak TO the
losry old villain after all.
"lll come, Browler," said l.
He lifted his head up quickly, and ap-
)eared very much pleased.
You'lldo me . great kindness, If you
will, Smythe."
Shall I fetch any thing!"
mo, thank you-eight, sharp"
With that went away. Although
Inew Baxter and the others would be
lwfully enraged IL they got an inkling Of
was about, and although was
positive that old Browler was endeavoring
10 get me into some hangman's scrape, yet
" hen / found out that could do great
Iavor for him thought of the many holt
lays and advance salaries l had wheedled
him out Of Besides that, he was not 80
much sly and deceitful In getting me to
visit him as he was begging and asking,
md began rather to fancy the idea of
little diplomacy; especially as I should
ind out what this was all about
Although had never been there before,
| had but little trouble in finding Cockloft
street. It might have been quiet sunny
place In the daytime, at any rate 1t was
ssober and dark enough in the night. The
houses were like mems stocks, eminently
also found Browler easily, and he
ged me into his sitting room, with
|oviality that ! never supposed he
was capable Of. 1t looked very strange to
me TO see his glasses and bald head any
where but In the Office, and that coupled
with wondering how . man could be 80
pleasant and ai;aSie and = ieepiy-dyed
little III at ease. Nor was this at all ban.
file Of Browler's three thin specialized rela-
lives.
aMr. Smythe," said Browler, bowling,
0llOW u0 W LI1sGOuuCo NY o4oVCAoS NAAoo
Amabel, Miss Belinda, and Miss Cora.
Alphabetical order, you observe, A. B. G.,
while close up with D-David; . pretty
idea of my honorcd father, who set out
to finish the alphabet but my mother in
terferred by dying and my father quenched
all hope by following suit two months
AFTER" bowed three times successive
~, and the three thin sisters smiled re-
pruvfugy ct Browief, who set ehaass- fer
u.s.
After some trifiing Interruptions, In.
Guiding dish Of pippins, jug of cider,
and general overhauling Of the common
enemy, An open-fre, Browler proceeded
to business, placing himself in front of the
semi. circle We formed, with his ten
fingers spread out In fan like and ex.
plsnatory manner. The three sisters
turned their Close attention TO their
brothers boots, and prepared TO listen
closely.
"Nr. Smythe," aid Browler, deliber.
ately, "what say shall be very concise
and 10 In: : measure an autobiography.
He paused an instant, and pressed his lips
together. simply bowed, while the
three sisters gave IN adjusting rustic Of
their skirtA
"6ome years ago, in the far South,
there was IN exceedingly wealthy firm
doing business In cotton and rice, by the