The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1876-06-09
JACK STEBBINS STORY.


"If your name is Stebbins," the Sec
ond auditor said, "there's message for
you from Mr.. Blackjack" t
"That's my name, sir.
"Well, 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. There's messenger 60
ing up in an hour or so, and you can
send any word you like"
"Til write note if you'll lend me a
pen," 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 o'clock in the evening, and
hoped to make things satisfactory. l
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
had time to see Mr.. Blackjack, and
Higginson had promised to be on the
watch for him and let me know. 1 might
he ell right yet, tried to believe. And
put it out of my mind as well as could
till night came, and got word from
Bigginson that it was all wrong. Tom
Lppincott 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 go 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 i couldn't pay, and let him do his
worst. was 80 tired, and discouraged,
and disheartened, that didn't seem to
caro- much for anything except Molly, at
least. 1t was rough on her, poor little
woman And there was her ring il my
pocket still, the unlucky ring that had
cost me 80 dear.
] went up to MIR. Blacklock's house a
little before the time had named, with
a logged feeling that I'd best get to the
bottom of things as quick as possible.
A servant girl showed me into beauti-
fui 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,
/ can tell you.
&c He needn't be 80 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 himl 1 wish he'd hurry along
and put me out of my misery one way
or another"
The door was partly open, and i
heard movement on the stairs pres
emily the soft rustic Of a lady's dress
aud the next moment, very much to my
surprise, lady came in and spoke to
me.
"You wish to see Mr.. Blackjack. "
sShe said, "but he has gone ont with
"a friend, and will not be in for some
rhme. If you are the person who sent
him this note to day, will attend to the
tbusiness. am Mrs. Blackjack.
She held out my letter to me, and
took it and looked at it all in fuster,
for this was something that I hadn't
bargsined for. could stand having a
man blow me up for a rogue, when
There was no help for it but how was ]
tgoing to talk to this lady about my own
.diseraceg The first thought was to get
out OF il with lie.
"I don't want you to think, ma'am "
a said. :" that this is any of my affairs.
came here at the request of friend of
mine"
"Then I've nothing to say to you,
sir," she interrupted me, very quick.
"u you're not the person who wrote
Ghis letter and brought Mr.. Blackjack a
check with false signature, two weeks
ago, i advise you to go back to pour
friend who did and tell him to speak for
himself. Mr.. Blackjack viii not deal
with any go-between.
She looked straight at me, with flush
jn her eyes that said, plain as words,
You ned not try to lie to me 1 know
the truth" And / hung my head,
tongue-tied for shame, and my face like
firy 10 the tips Of my ears.
She looked ut mel could feel her
look ell over me, though didn't raise
my head-and said presently, in gentle
tone:
IF You would be honest with me, It
would make tho matter easier for us
both. I'm quite sure that what you said
Just now was not the truth. You can't
look in my eyes and repeat it.
No, j can't you're right there !" /
cried out, hot and angry, and not caring
now what / said. &c But it's Mrs. Black
locks fault if told you lie. He
wasn't called upon to expose me to a
Lady o. f.f
Indeed 7" she answered, scornfully,
i do not see why you should expect