Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1875-02-25

| Join the butcher in annoying me, so that
at last became too frightened to go out
and passed my evenings in the little par.
lor behind my shop making up my books.
One night whilst was so engaged a
ring came at the bell. I opened the door,
and man clad in long cloak, the col
lar of which was turned up 50 as to con-
ceal the face, rushed into the passage, a
proceeding no sooner remarked than |
Immediately prepared to rush out into
the street, for / cannot bear burglars
but before / could execute my purpose
the fellow caught me by the shoulder,
and, in tones that froze my very blood,
whispered in my ear:
Don't be fool, Dick! come in and
shut the door, or / shall be seized"
Jim" | stammered; why, what IS
the matter?"
Shut the door and come into tine par
lor then will tell you"
did as he commanded, and then wait
ed lmpatiently for the explanation of
this sudden and mysterious visit.
"Phew!" said Jim, as he threw off his
cloak, I've had narrow escape"
but how have you had an escape?
and from what have you escaped!"
er, throwing himself into chair 81
backed the wrong horse for the ST. Leger,
and have lost all my money"
al knew you would, JIM" said; al
knew you would. But it's no use crying
over split milk, as the proverb says you
must come and share with me, though
Heaven knows that have not much to
offer you, for that horrid butcher has
nearly ruined me-"
You're a good fellow, Dick, but /
have worse news still. You must know
that had 81 600 placed in my hands to
buy horses for gentleman. So con-
WINGED was that Vanderdecken would
win this race that l not only put mig
money on HIM, but also that which had
in trust. have lost all, and have had
to fly to avoid the police"
The frightful news so overcame me
that could only wiring my hands and
eXclaim:
ooh, what is to be done? what is to be
done?"
"This is what must be done" said i'm,
in hurried whisper: "you must take
my clothes and my name, and will take
yours in exchange; you must go down to
Acton to my rooms, and ! will carry on
your business here. Do you see?"
Eyes, Isee; but the police may arrest
me by mistake"
"Of course they will that's the beauty
of the thing. l expect to make a hatful
of money over the next race, and when
have done that will show up, declare
that the whole affair has been a mistake,
either pay the 81 900 or buy the horses;
you will be released, and can bring an
action for damages for false imprison.
ment."
"Yes, that's all very well, jim; but
suppose you should not win this money"
Nonsense, my dear fellow; l must
win it. It's as safe as the bank"
Yes, but SO was Vanderdecken
"Oh bother Vanderdecken tell you
l must win; besides, should fail, bolt
over to France; then you prove your
identity, they must release you, and there
you are"
Eyes; but in the meantime l shall be
in prison"
mot necessarily; you must keep
close, and then perhaps they may not find
you. l will give you letter to my
friend Bob Kirby-you are sure to find
him at the Bit and Bridle'-and he will
tell you what to do. You must not
write to me here. Bob will do all the
writing, and let you know how things
are going. Now come and let us change
clothes; there is not moment to lose
or YOU will be too late for the train"
But my business?" gasped, for did
not like the job at all.
"Oh! can take care of that; you know
l understand the trade"
" But the butcher?"
"Imust put up with him, suppose"
said jim, looking rather blue. "Of
course it is not pleasant, but nothing is
in this world, and as you have stood his
insults for SO long time, l suppose l
shall be able TO bear it for a little while.
There is the letter; now off with your
clothes and put on mine"
How Jim did it can't say; but in less
than a quarter of an hour was dressed
in his clothes and turned out of my own
house.
| crept along the road, trembling at
the sight of policeman, and wondering
at the little notice they took of me.
reached the train in safety, and arrived
in Acton without being arrested
I found the "Bit and Bride" and Bob
Kirby, to whom l delivered the letter
He read it, and at once they took me to
Jim's rooms, advising me not to move
therefrom if valued my liberty. Need
l say that felt very uncomfortable and
obeyed his orders to the letter?
On the second night after my arrival
in Acton Mr.. Kirby came to my rooms
and told me l must prepare to start for
London at once.
You must take care you are not
seem" he continued, "for if you were
caught now things would be very awk-
ward. Tell Jim he must come down here
at once; he had better walk down, for
the trains may be watched. If he can
get down without being seen all will be
well; but if not, fear that they will try