River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1878-06-13


said. sadly, and dropped some pennies
into the boys hand.
Tie act touched nv heart.
Come, Mr.. Hoag,n ] said addressing
him. "Come and have some lunch.
Something has dashed your spirits
You know, Mr.. Kazlett,n he said 20
me as we sat down at 0estreich's-"
YOU know / never pass blind man with
out giving him something
" Waiter.n | said sternly, don't you
know better than to serve water at gen.
tleman's lunch. Come, old fellow" and
/ turned to Mr.. Hoag, what is the mat
ter with youl feel little ont OF sorts
myself. You have heard me speak OF
my cousin Smiler, the lawyer. This morn.
ing he told me that my last five thousan1
dollars that he got me to invest III his
company was worth one hundred and
fifty dollars in the market
NV remark gave Mr.. Hoag CLEAN OF
pleasure.
eThey are all on the make, he said
as I retilled bis glass with Sauttrne.
but there are some things that seem to
me impossible. How can a man swindle
his iriendE
"Well," replied gaily, my only care
now is that Death shall not nicS my
pocket of dollar. After Smiler there il
no one else to fear.
Mr.. Hoag looked at me with growing
confidence and not little admiration.
g had FRIEND he began, each word
held back by professional caution. And
vet hardly like TO call HIN friend /:
he was scarcely worthy of the name.
This man some time since did a service
for lady's maid She was large, SPLEEN
did looking woman, with such a fine
arm and Jet black eyes" Mr.. 'Hoag,
who was short, spare man with sandy
hair, strained himself up an inch or two
taller.
.The girl had no money" he continued,
$50 she gave my friend letter; sort OF
letter of credit on distinguished clergy
man.
"This clergyman had been human, and
he was glad TO pay my friend for helping
him keep his secret. 1t wasn't much,
but it was modest income
| Nv friend wasn't extravagant. He was
naturally gentleman, man of letters.
He had what you call refined tastes. He
enjoyed his horse, his cigar, his cocktail
now and then he liked to bet dollar on
the ace, or see rat shaken.
One day my friend wakes up and finds
his property stolen-his income gone.
The man of letters has become a man
without letters. He is ruined-ruined. 7
Mr.. Hoag, with eyes empty of hope,
| looked at the sunbeams breaking through
| the champagne in his glass.
| .What,'' l asked eagerly, "was there nc
other evidence? Was there nothing left9'
'sNothing," replied the Shadow, re-
pressing tear; nothing whatever, ex-
cept the child"
''And that9'
"What will a gentleman give tor his
child without evidence TO convictE" re-
turned Mr. Hoag, whom misfortunate had
touched with SIX pticism.
true / said, 1.-THE man could set his
own price upon the child, and your friend
could set his own price upon the letter
Its what they call a broken market. But
could you identify the child9"
at is the perfect image Of is mother,
answered the shadow.
Why doesn't your friend go to the
clergyman, take the child and demand
payments There might be some money
in it,"
alt is a ticklisb business. He is a
detective. It would ruin his reputation
They Nigh accuse him of trying to extort
money. if he had no evidence. 1t is five
years in Sing Sing. If he could only get
some one to act for him."
8 Some one to play the role of cats
paw said with knowing smile.
!" 1t might pay something" said the
Shadow. "A third party might be able
to rope himself in as the friend of the
clergyman"
q BY Jovel' I cried, after moments
pause. I'm hard up. If you will
divide, I'll do it myself, and run the
risk"
81 will" Mr.. Hoag stretched out his
hand. A faint hope like the love stai
winning out of the twilight shone in his
lustreless eyes.
"Who is the theft" | asked. "The
man who stole the letter. 1t isn't the
man | saw you talking with just nowl"
"Do you know him2' asked the
shadow
az have seen him often. / don't know
his name. He lookes like clergyman
| never go to church"
That is Mr.. Godkind."
4" What, the famous rector"
Yes"
And the childl 1t can't be-"
Is that little fiddler. He lives al
Cobweb Hail."
And the womanl"
The shadow looked caustiously around
him, and, bending forward, whispered a
name that made each hair on my head
rise and tug at its tether. a moment
nj ore and / should have been bald.
"Stop. stop!" cried in terror; il
isn't true"
1t is true;'' and be repeated the name
of lady who gemmed the highest Alp OF
religious and fashionable society.
"Heughl" / replied with long breath,
Suppose get rugged! Suppose they
sent me to Sing Sing?n
az Will visit you,' said the shadow, as,
with smile in which whatever of solace
and affection there is in the world was
mingled, he watched the different color
ed strata of the glass of cordial which
was preparing for him.
"Mr. Godkind,"I said to my friend
that evening"" you are safe. / have the
child. I know you will do your duty"
"God bless you, Frank" said the rec
tor, his eyes filling with tears. "You have
saved me and my family from ruin. If
you knew the remorse have suffered.
The follies OF our youth are spectres that
haunt and age us. shall never forget
your kindness
"If Mr. Hoag tries to bleed you agaln
arrest him instantly, The brayest way Is
the safest ~whet there is no written evil
dence-n
The rector took my hand and gave a
deep sigh. He looked around his ricn
library and cast his eyes upon the pages
of a sermon he was preparing.
"Respectability, reputation, position,
wealth = he said sadly; "they arc all fet-
tiers that make us towards and slaves.
The gods are true TO the free and the