The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1875-01-30

and. have no doubt, honest set OF men; bul
all people have their antipathies, and butch.
ers are one of mine. However, | disguised
nv feelings, and joined in the conversation
hoping thereby to make myself agreeable 'o
the company, among whom were many OF my
neighbOrs
How did it / cannot tell, but by som,
means managed to offend big, bulky iel
low, whom recognized as the owner Of q
butchers shop exactly facing my establish
ment. tried all could to soothc the mon
ster, but he glarcd at me like an ogre, and
made such very strong remarks that though
it better to keep silent hoping thereby 10 ie
the storm blow over, Vain hopoI the butch
er being unable to speak to nae, in cohse
quence of my silence, vented his malice ny
tradesmen opening new shops in opposition
to the old ones; declared ths, he had been
made quite sick by some bad butter that n, ne
had seen that day; and hoped, when the ~ y
spector of Weights and Measures visited that
neghborhood, that he would look after aome
shopkeepcrs in particular, for he, Mr.. Gfote,
had watched one fellow iemperlng with his
weights sad sCales all dag.
knew he meant me- for | certainly had
amused myself in the intervals OF serving my
customers by polishing up my scales and
weights, and as saw ~ their looks that the
company knew that the wretch lntended me-
had no helq, for 1t but to reply
Sir said /, in the most concill&ory man
ner possible Il am very sorry thst 1,should
have unwittingly offended you; but cannot
fail 10 see your observations are evidently in.
tended for me-
If the cap fits, yor may wear it, grinned
the brute i shan't mention names, TO give
any one an opportunity of getting the law OF
ne ! eint so green.
The cap does not fit / replied for beg
to say that my butter is excellent, my scales,
inst and that all year accusations are entirely
false
With q howl ofrage the brute sprang from
his seat and dashed his pipe in my face,
Luckily two Of his companions seized him
so that was able to make my escape from
the room but as / fled | could hear him
vociiera,ing, Come on, you coward-let me
go-yah you ourp and so on, until | had
left the house.
From that moment my life was one of mis-.
cry. The horrio wretch GrOte would not let
me alone he leased Hle morning, noon and
night, until became the laughing stock of
the ncighborhood, and consequently my trade
fell off until ruin seemed to stare me IN the
face. My neighbors avoided me as if had
the plague, and some went so lar as to join
the butcher in annoying me, so that at last
became frightened to go out, and passed my
evenings in the little parlor behind the shop,
making up my books
One night, while was SO engaged, ring
came at the bell, opened the door, and a
man, clad in a long cloak, the collar Of which
was turned up so as to conceal his face, rush.
ed into the passage, proceeding which | no
sooner remarked that | Immediately prcpar.
ed to rush into the street, for | cannot bear
burglars; but before ! could execute my
purpose the fellow caught met by the shoul
Ter, and in tones that irozc my very blood,
whispered in my ear.
Don't be fool, Dick come in and shut
he door, or shall be seized
Jmr | stammered. why, what l., the
natter9'
Shut the door and come into the parlor;
hen will tell you
! did us he commanded, and then waited
for the explanation of this sud
len and mysterious visit
'Phcwn said jim, as he threw of his cloak,
| We had a narrow escape
But how have you had an escape ana from
what nave you escaped"
Dick, ] am ruined cried my brother,
throwing himself into chair i backed the
wrong horse for the ST. Leger, and have lost
Ill my money
i knew you would, Jim ! said; L knew
you would. But it's no use crying over split
milk, as the provcrb says you must come and
share with me- though heaven knows that !
nave not much TO offer to you, for that horril
butcher has nearly ruined me-
You're good fellow, Dick; butt have
Cti1 I I 4
thousand pounds placed in my hands to
,uy horses for a gentleman, 50 convinced .
vas thatV anderdecken would win the race,
hat not only put my money on him, but
also that which had in trust. have los,
III, and have had to fly to avoid the police
The frightiul news so overcome me that !
Gould only wiring my hands, and cxclaim: .
Ooh, what is To be done? what IS TO be
lone?
This Is what must be done said Jim, in a
hurried whisper; you must take my clothes
lnd my name, and | will take Yours in en-
change you must go down To Acton 10 my
'ooms, and carry On your business here. DO
ION see:
Yes, sec; bu, the police may arrest me
~ mistake
OF course thcy will that's the beauty of the
hing ! expect to make a ha,tul of money
,ycr the next race, and when | have done
hat shall show up, declare the whole affair
las been a mistake; either pay the thousand
pounds or buy the horses you will be rceas-
d, and can bring IN action for damages for
alse imprisonment
Yes, that's all very well, jim; but suppose
on should not win all this money!
Nonsense, my dear fcllON: | must via il. F..
rs rs safe as the bank
Yes, but so was Nanderdecke.'
oh, bother Vandertlecken tell you .
must win; besides, should fail, bolt over
0 France. then you prove your indemnity,
key must release you, and there you are
Yes, but in the meantime | shall be in
,rision.'
Not necessarily; YOU must keep close, and
hen perhaps, they may not find you. will
rive you letter 10 my friend, Bob Kirby
'our are sure to find him AT the 'Bit and Bri.
lle'-and he will tell you what 20 do. Iou f.
must not write TO me here. Bob will 10 all .
he writing and let you know how things are
,oing. Now, come and let us change clothes
here Is not moment TO lose, or you will be
90 late for Tie train
But my, business | ga.pcd, for did not