Elizabeth daily monitor. [volume] (Elizabeth, N.J.) 1868-1880, 1873-11-20
Written for the Daily Monitor. ]
FORGIvING AND FORGIVEN.

TcoNIINUED.'

known it was only you, I'd -"
Now, yer wouldn't, Downey, be
cause yer know yer couldn't" replied
Bill with an insinuating smile; :" Ho
didn't I scare yer all, though !! Don
yer all look himsey ?"
For an instant, the transition from
darkness to light caused John Wilson t.
place his hands before his eyes, ere h,
could see distinctly enough to note tn,
surroundings. Then, looking about, b,
discovered that Bill and himself wer,
by no means the only occupants of tn,
place.
AS quickly as they had taken flight a
the first alarm, the gang Bill so proud
ly acknowledged, swarmed into the room
from every nook and corner, eyeine
their unwelcome guest with glances O
distrust and malevolence. Vicious
tiashy, murderous looking men they
were, with tempers not at all improved
by the trick just played upon them.
''This is the cove as the captain want
ed ter see," said Bill, by way Of intro
duction, flinging his dripping hat in the
face of the man nearest him, and laugh
ing at his scowling visage. He evident
ly was a privileged character.
You'd sing another tune, my young
kid, if things were different exclaimed
tho assaulted person.
Don't preach, covey, but run up and
tell the captain I'm herel" answered Bill.
Bills effront ry before the older per-
sons was something marvellous to see.
Evidently, he feared nobody. And his
address to the stout, forid old bag who
descended the flight of stairs leading to
the upper regions, few minutes later,
was devoid of respectful consideration,
to say the least: "Hello, old porpoise,
what yer going to give us to eat ?"
Mother Waters deigned to make no
answer. Turning to one of the men
she whispered few words in his ear,
and then walked to the farther end OF
the room, to stove, where preparations
for the evening meal were progressing
favorably, TO Judge from the aroma arts.
ing from large kettle upon the fire.
John Wilson viewed the scene with
mingled feelings of wonder and anxiety.
Why he had been summoned there,
he was at loss to imagine. Who was
Gentleman Hal Why did he wish to
see him What could he know that
would be of any Importance to him
And when should he see him ?
AS these thoughts flashed through his
brain, his eyes were directed to the man
designated by Bill as "Downey." Then.
from that individual, who was decidedly
superior to his companions, he glanced
at the others.
The den itself was not devoid of COM
fort or neatness. Indeed, to Judge from
appearances, Gentleman Halls gang
must have belonged to the order known
as gentlemen thieves" Perhaps it
would be as well to give description of
the room.
The floor, guiltless OF carpet, or even
sand, was, nevertheless clean. The walls
were covered with cheap prints, rather
objectionable in design and coloring, il
is true, but then they made pleasing
relief to the white-washed ceiling. Tia.
bles and chairs, and the previously men.
toned stove, completed the furniture.
Altogether, it formed such contrast tc
the vile cellars they had passed, and the
filthy streets they had traversed, that
Johns establishment was unbounded.
With the excep ion of "Downey, the
men were about the class one would ex
pect to find in Thieves alley. He ant
Mother Waters were the leading spirits
apparently.
The former, tall, well formed indi
vidual wore an air of authority which
proclaimed his standing. Depraved
crime-burdened, as he undoubtedly was
he possessed intelligence enough to pre-
vent his sinking to the level of his asso
ciates, and to win from them respec
and obedience.
Mother Waters, as might be expecte,
from her surroundings, was not tia
most refined or amiable OF old ladies
Stout, coarse, rum tainted and unclean
she ordered the men about, alternatel,
caressed and scolded Bill, was devote,
to the interests of the Captain, and per
formed the duties of cook and genera
superintendent unfinchingly. She, witt
the others, paid no attention to Wilson
beyond glancing at his clothing AM
face occasionally, or indulging in fe,
undertone remarks concerning his pre-
sence.
Indeed, they paid so little attention
to him, that he readily supposed his Wis
it was not an unexpected one. Force,
inactivity. never agreeable, was doubl
annoying under the circumstances, an,
John Wilson was wishing for something
to break the monotony, when "Down
ey," who had left the room q few min