The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1875-12-15
equal to walking, she stayed ut my snop
,,,o,o tboo ON horrD

more than an hour"
"Well. we'll, what did she say?"
"I think Isee her now," said the chand-
ler's shop-kccpcr, brushing away an imagi-
nary tear with the back Of her hand,-r
think see her now, with both her elbows
planted OH the counter, close against the box
| that held the bacon and the candles, a chat
! fng one of the boatmen, as she called but
spoor fresE-water make-believe, as was
good for nothing but to pick up tickle
backs with crooked pin and stick My
hnsband,' says she, as regular sailor,
salt as this 'ere bacon, and she laid her
hand on the fitch who was away year
at q time on his voyages, which was COM
fort to both of us, as he often said She
went on to SAY that che also had q son, a
sailor, like his father, but where he was at
the time she was speaking she couldn't
even guess"
"Did she mention the name Of her soni"
-"She said his name was jacques"
"Dd she speak against her husbandf"
"Ncver; only that his manners were 'bru-
tai, and he had jealous disposition-a
GOOD man enough, but that he had led her
miserable life. His great fault was that
he had weak head, and would fly out
about nothing. In short, that he was fool,
and not too honest"
did her son ever visit her7"
"she was a close woman, and never
spoke Of that" '"'- -. .,..-.. .
"Was she a good customer at your ahopf"
"Wel, that was according. About sixty
francs month-sometme more; because
when she took her liquor, she always took
it of the best. Rest her soul! she was
worthy woman, and paid ready money"
Here the shop-keeper, diverging upon
the advantages Of ready money payments
as a principle, and the disadvantages Of
trust as a practice, was abruptly dismissed
by the magistrate. while the other witness
the boy-was showed forward.
"Now, my boy" said the magistrate,
"what do you know of this business9''
"Nothing g, sir! Only tho day before yes
terday, saw man standing in Madame
Lerouge's gateway"
"With dark complexion, dressed in a
blouse, eh, my little manY'
"No, sir; quite the contrary. The man !
saw was short, fat, and fair"
"You are sure you are not mistaken3"
allow could be-" said the boy smartly,
"when spoke to ha,r
"And he repliedf
ayes"
"'Tell me what you both said.'
"Well, when Saw him first, he seemed
rather cross about something-angry,
may say, which is more than being cross.
His face was as red as a sliced beetroot
and 30 was his hcad-for his hat WAS off,
and he was as bald as a billiard-ball.'
"Did he speak TO you 6rst7"
ayes; he called to me wilhrut waiting for
an introduction. IIloh. little 'unp says
he; you've pair of good legs-do you
want to earn half franc!' OF course
do, says l. .rhen,' says he, 'cut along
down to the river. 90 on board the big
black boat. painted black with red streak,
that lies close down by the landing-stage,
and ask for Jeryis, the master. Tell him to
make all ready to start, that my business is
over, and I'll be with him in the hauling of
rope Then, Placing the half franc in
my hand, he stirred me up with kick, and
I hol.el off for Inc ,ivar."
"If all the witnesses were as sharp as
this little boy" said the comnissary, "to
examine them wcnld be a pleasure! And
noweel us how You performed the com.
mission"
"I got aboard the boat, found The man.
and rave the message. and-and that's ALL
Gevrol. who had been listening with the
most eager attention, stopped toward the
eur ot NJ. Daburon.
"If it's not asking too much, sir, will you
be kind enough to let me put a few quea-
tions to :he ycnngs'erl'
"Certainlv," answered the magistrate
"LooE' here, my little man," questioned
the detective; "do you think if you saw the
man you've been telling us about, that
you'd recognise him agar!'
"Oh, yes"
"T'ere Ass something queer about him.
thnn?'
.w"l'. his red face"
"Was that alll"
I.s sir"
"S,,t don't you remember how he was
dlr-sell Had he q hlousei"
"No; he had on round iarket, with
large ror;ets at the sides, and s'ickin" out
Of one vas Il blue-s'rired pociet-han'iIer-
chief"
"What sort of trousers did he wearY"
81 don't remrmher.'
"Aul Iis wai-tcoa'l"
"Stcp" said the child. andd"nly brighten
inr m again. "IIad he wais:"na'7
think not-perhaps he had, and W. hars ho
hadn't. don't remcmbcr. But he h:d
II Tl'ChSItili'l, 1 nllO"t "l'h CiAi6 l''iti't
Through ring"
"Ihnr's wonderful boy!" remarked Ge"-
rol, in h,lf-u-i,le: "and if were Il single
mnr, III adop; him"
The rliltl. meanwhile, had knitted his soft
hrows tightly together, as with violent "f-
fcrt Of memory.
II remarked something elsc," he said.
after y short pause.
"Wl,a:?'
"'Thn nsn wore carrings-large earrings
IVORY large"
"Bravo." cr;rl Govrn!; ..nOthng els" x
wan:c,!. feel I've got him already. Let
ne have n warrant for his arrest, and the
t',inHi+ done"
Tho<" words were scarcely ont Of his
mouth than Ie"oo, eager and energetic ~
,,s.."l burst into the room.
"lrres Old Corkscrew-I mean. Daddy
Ta'ara:-that is to say Monsieur Taharct
-srcaking to strangers: I caught him
lust ~ he was leaving his house. What a
man!-what a remarkable man he is! Fl"
wouldn't bear of waiting for the train, bnt
took ,al,--the first on the stand--nevcr
ha,yainrd for prize, but drove down hero
like madman Here he con,as--h"re Il" is!
4 wonderful mani remarkable man!
H..'' draw the cork for us in less 'hau fve
uillut,-,'
H.. ,letrc'ivc became suddenly silent. rs
there appeared upon the threshold Of the
ROOM man, whose aspect We a"c bound 10
confess. hy no means warranted tltA r''lNrv
~ loudly expressed by his entAusIa.t!" a /
lurcr.
TO BE CCSluiuED.