Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1874-06-03

the traditional five dollars to meet the
expenses ola forthcoming literary soaree
at my rooms, I after some dellberation,
determined to take my Indian chess
board to Mr.. Levi, as a token Of my
affection, and work his feelings SO far
as to induce him to present me with
the longed for V. The chess-board was
ivory inlaid. The men were delight
fully oriental, being carved all over,
even to the tips of their noses, and,
altogether, had great faith in the
article, as it had never before been
under Mr.. Lewis charge.
[ waited until evening. It was a
lovely evening FOR pawning. A thick
fog, damp and threatening rain, hung
over the streets, so that there were but
few passengers abroad. Chlcory street
was almost deserted.
rang at Mr.. Lewis door. It was q
privilege I had earned, both by the
consistency of my friendship and the
usually valuable nature of my presents.
A delightful Hebrew servant girl, with
a nose massive as an Egyptian archi-
lecture, opened the door, and admitted
me to Mr.. Lewis private parlor. In a
/ few moments that estimable gentleman
entered.
"Ah Mister Papillotte," he said,
holding out his hand, chow do you
do? Come again, eh {? Well, what is
it this evening?'
ga little matter I want you to ar
range for me-" replied, unrolling my
silk handkerchief from the chess-board.
81 want five dollars on this, for few
days"
"Hum! On my word, Nh. Papil-
lotte, am sorry to see such a gentle
man like you coming here SO often.
It's really too bad p
Levi, as have said before, took an
interest in me, and sometimes talked
to me like father.
"My good Levi" I answered, laugh
ing, "don't take any serions trouble on
my account. I'm all right. You know
the best of us will get into difficulties
occasionally. By the way, would you
like to 60 to the opera tomorrow night? ?"
His eyes glistened.
"Have you got tickets ?"
"Here are two. Can you let me have
the money!"
"Well, really, Mr.. Papillotte, chess
is not valuable property just at pres
ent. It comes hard on theintellect, sir"
"But this is an Indian chess-board
It belonged to the Rajah of Gundarcool,
and was taken from the royal table by
an uncle of mine in the Alb core Fen
cibles, who was at the siege of Gundar-
cool. It is historical chess-board,
Mr.. Levi. Do you play chess?'
"Not exactly, sir, but [ came very
near learning once"
"You know that the pawn is insepa-
rably connected with the game, [ sup
pose?"
81 have heard somethingof thekind,
SIR"
Mr.. Levi stared: My joke was COM
pletely lost upon him. 1t was very
mild joke, certainly; but, then, could
better be expected from man who was
begging for five dollars?
81 am sorry you can't play" [ has
tened to continue, covering my jocular
failure with some other remark. 81
should like to have game with you.
That chess-board, assure you, is worth
thirty dollars if it is worth a penny
Think of the association
Heaven forgive me, but the Rajah
was creation of the moment. I had
been made present of the chess board
by sailor who had voyaged to Calcut-
ia j; but one must be deceltful now and
then in this wicked world.
"Well, I'll let you have the money!"
said Mr.. Lew, ''though we are rather
short to-day. A great deal of business
doing just now, Mr.. Papillotte," and
laying the Rajah's property on the
table, he disappeared into the office to
make out the ticket.
ga great deal of business doing -
That meant, when translated, great
deal of misery wandering about the
streets, a great many homes gloomy for
want of petty sums of money, a great
many mechanics without Sunday
clothes great many poor students
moaning over their valuable books,
sacrificed to keep life enough in them
to read those that were left; great
many drunkards craving for their &C
customed poison, and getting it at the
cost of necessities; great many
mothers shivering in blanketless beds,
that the little ones might not starve.
This was the terrible kind of business
that he was doing.
was rejecting on all this, when I
heard the parlor door open, and slight
step fell softly on the carpet. Think
ing it was Levi returning with the
money, I did not raise my head. Pres
emily a voice-ah, kow unlike Lewis
buttery accents started me from my
reverie.
81 can play at chess" it said softly.
I looked up suddenly. A little fairy
creature, about sixteen years old, with
long, fair hair, and large, beautiful
blue eyes, stood just within the door
staring at me, like some timid bird at
him who wanders in lonely woods, half
fearing to approach, yet longing to
come nearer.
s'And who on earth are you?" I
asked abruptly; and as I spoke I saw
at glance that the blood of the chill
dren of Israel did not run in her clear,
blue veins.
"I'm Nellie Lee, SIR" replied the ap.
partition, 'and I'm in pawn, sir
"In what?" exclaimed, under the