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


without word to any Of VA
Here was mystery for US! We were
not at oil surprised that Br0wler had
committed some act of treachery or blosd.
thirsty violence, for we had long been
certain that man Of his peculiar skull
and features would hesitate At nothing
when once fully aroused; but that O'Neil
did not brain him with ruler ct once,
completely puzzled Us. Baxter said he
expected every instant that O'Neil would
use the bowie. knife which he had con.
ceaied between his shoulders, and the
reason that be did not Wa, probably, be-
cause II MAS not sharp enough for Brow
ler's tough skin. Baxter pointed out the
bowie-kniie TO us, II making some irregu.
lar punches In O'Neil's coat behind and
when somebody limited 1t might be only q
patent suspender, Baxter told him, with .
horrid sneer, that he had better 90 and
ask, and then come back alive, II he
thought he could.
Many were the theories we Matched re-
gsrdiDg this mystifcation. 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'Neils slightest movement.
O'Neil himself did not say q word to US,
but stalkcd of home two hours before he
had right to 90. 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 q whisper, to let the plot ripen, and then
crush II at one fell swoop; TO which we
slowly assented, grssping hands over our
lunch baskets to demonstrate our unity.
On GOING gloomily and sternly back to
nv policy. book, / found bit of paper be-
tween the leaves addressed TO me, and
marked confidential" which ran thus
Dear Smytbe-would you do me the
great kindness to call on me ct No. 100
Cockloft street, at eight this evening?
Yours, in trouble, David Browler."
looked over at him and he was
watching me anxiously over his pen
rack. l was indignant that he should
try to drag me into his rascality, and l
nothing but boy and so tore the bit
of paper to flinders, and flung them on the
floor with as much contempt as l could
get into my motions. His lip trembled
Just like q crying biby's; and his eye
u
again.
Ten minutes after, was conscious of
being q cruel brute. People are always
very civil and kind to man who IL to be
,ung, and why should not try TO be
,bliging to man who certainly deserved
4? ] determined to accommodate Brow
er. To get him to understand this, was
obliged TO wait until the other fellows had
rome, and then slipped around and whis-
,ered over the top OF his desk as IL Baxter
YES only yard off-and it surprised me
% see how Very kind I could speak TO the
losry old villain after all.
"Pll come, Browler," said l.
He lifted his head up quickly, and ap.
Feared very much pleased.
Youlldo me great kindness, il you
will, Smythe."
"Shall I fetch any thingi"
"No, thank you-eight, sharp"
With that l went away. Although
Knew Baxter and the others would be
'wfully enraged II they got an inkling Of
What | was about, and although l was
positive that old Browler was endeavoring
o get me into some hangman's scrape, yet
avor for him thought Of the many holi-
lin out Of Besides that, he was not SO
much sly and deceitful In getting me to
,isit him as he was begging and asking,
md began rather to fancy the idea of a
title diplomacy; especially as l should
ind out what this was all about.
Although had never been there before,
had but little trouble in finding Cockloft
&rect. 1t might have been quiet sunny
,lace in the daytime, at any rate it was
Iober and dark enough In the night. The
houses were like mems stocks, eminently
'ld-fashioned and highly respectable.
Ilso found Browler easily, and he
hook my hand cordially and drag.
,ed me into his sitting room, with q
oviality that ! never supposed he
was capable Of 1t looked very strange to
NO TO see his glasses and bald head any
where but In the Office, and that coupled
with wondering how man could be 30
pleasant and affable and deeply dyed
villain at the same time, made me feel Q
little III at ease. Nor was this at all ban.
ished by the solemn entrance in single
Ale of Browler' three thin specialized rela-
lives.
"Mr. Smythe," said Browler, bowling,
allow me to introduce my sisters, Mas
Amabel, Miss Belinda, and Miss Cora.
order, you observe, A. b. c.,
while close up with D-Dsvid; pretty
idea of my honored father, who set out
10 finish the alphabet but my mother in
terferred by dying and my father quenched
al hope by following suit two months
After." bowed three times successive
", and the three thin sisters smiled re-
at Browler, who set chairs for
US.
After some trining Interruptions, In.
GLIDING dish Of pippins, jug Of cider,
and general overhsuling Of the common
enemy, an open fire, Browler proceeded
TO business, llacing himself In front of the
semi.circle We formed, with his ten
fingers spread out In . fan like and ex-
planatOry manner. The three sisters
turned their close attention TO their
brothers boot. and prepared 70 listen
"Hr. smythe," aid Browler, deliber.
ately, "what I say shall be very concise
and 10 In: Q measure an autobiography"
He paused an instant, and pressed his lips
together. l simply bowed, while the
three sisters gave an adjusting rustic Of
their skirtA
"Some years ago, in the far South,
there Was an exceedingly wealthy firm
doing business in cotton and rice, by the