The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1876-06-08
JACK STEBBINS' STORY.
Told by Himself.

ond auditor said, "there's message for
you from Mr.. Blackjack.
''That's my name, sir.
"Wen, he expected you here before
noon to-day, and, as you didn't put in
an appearance, you're to report at his
house to night. Theresa messenger go
ing up in an hour or so, and you can
send any word you like"
"I'lI write note If you'll lend me a
pen," I said.
And he told me I'd find one at Mr..
Blacklock's desk. SO sat down in his
chair, and wrote that / would be at his
house by 9 o'clock In the evening, and
hoped to make things satisfactory. 1
took care not to sign my name, or say
anything that could be used against me.
And went off, feeling as if had lease
of life for few hours longer, anyhow.
Tom Lippincott might get home before
I had time to see Mr.. Blackjack, and
Higginson had promised to be on the
watch for him and let me know. I might
be all right yet, tried to believe. And
7 put it out of my mind as we'll as could
till night came, and I got word from
Higginson that 1t was all wrong. Tom
Iippincott hadn't come, and, worse still,
didn't expect to come for week. Some
thing had got away in Pittsburgh, and
Block & Gilsey had telegraphed for him
to 90 on at once and wait instructions.
This knocked everything, OF course,
and / gave up beat. There was nothing
to do but to go and tell Mr.. Blackjack
that / couldn't pay, and let him do his
worst. I was so tired, and discouraged,
and disheartened, that I didn't seem to
care much for anything except Molly, at
least. 1t was rough on her, poor little
woman And there was her ring in my
pocket still, the unlucky ring that had
cost me so dear.
I went up to Mr.. Blacklock's house a
little before the time / had named, with
logged feeling that I'd best get to the
bottom of things as quick as possible.
A servant girl showed me into beautl-
full library, with books all along the
walls, and pictures, and easy chairs, and
everything warm, and bright, and ele-
CANT. Nobody was there, and / looked
around me, envious and bitter enough,
I can tell you.
"He needn't be SO hard on a poor
devil like me. [ wouldn't, If / could
sit down in such a nest as this"
thought. "But what does he care, con
found him! [ wish he'd hurry along
and put me out of my misery one way
or another.
The door was partly open, and
heard movement on the stairs pres
entity the soft rustic of lady's dress
and the next moment, very much to my
surprise, lady came in and spoke to
me.
"You wish to see Mr.. Blackjack. .
she said, sbut he has gone ont with
friend, and will not be in for some
time. IF you are the person who sent
him this note to day, / will attend to the
Business. am Mrs. Blackjack"
She held out my letter to me, and
stook it and looked at it all in fuster,
for this was something that I hadn't
ibargained for. I could stand having q
man blow me up for a rogue, when
there was no help for it but how was
going to talk to this lady about my own
disgrace? The first thought was to get
out of it with lie.
81 don't want you to think, na'am .
] said, 6 that this Is any of my affairs.
came here at the request of friend Of
mime"
'sThen I've nothing to say to you,
SIR she interrupted me, very quick.
eff you're not the person who wrote
this letter and brought Mr.. Blackjack &
check with a false signature, two weeks
ago, I advise you to go back to pour
friend who did and tell him to speak fol-
himself. Mr.. Blackjack will not dea
with oYv oyO-hatwoan +"
She looked straight at me, with fiusf
in her eyes that said, plain as words
You ned not try to lie to me ; know
the truth" And I hung my head
tongue-tied for shame, and my face like
fire to the tips of my ears.
She looked at mel could feel bel
look all over me, though didn't raise
my head-and said presently, In gentle
tone:
eff you would be honest with me, i
would make the matter easier for u
both. I'm quite sure that what you salC
just now was not the truth. You can
look in my eyes and repeat it.
"No, can't; you're right there |"
cried out, hot and angry, and not caring
now what / said. 8" But it's Mrs. Black
locks fault if told you lie. Ri
wasn't called upon to expose me to
1adyl"
g Indeed |" she answered, scornfully
ST do not see why you should expec