Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-11-26
Business" answered my partner.
"Explain yourself.n said /.

Business" answered my partner.
Explain YOURSELF said !.
Well" said SLOUGH. "you must MAKE
up to that gal in sort OF loving, serious
way, and we'll both see little fun"
was about to call for further expla
nation from my partner, when l chsncet
to observe Ross watching us from a dis
lance. lett Slouch at once. and wen
sauntering off in careless way.
/ felt good deal annoyed By this in'
terview with my partner. He had treated
my stratagem. with indifference, and had
regarded my affinity for lady with lev.
ity. The idea OF my being requested to
make love TO her as cool business tran
sac.ion, with predicted result Of wit
Messing fun. Slouch was something OF o
wag, but knew from the manner OF bis
request that he expected some results
more than amusement. had now Gn
additional incentive TO make myself
agreeable to the lady, and determined
10 bring my art to bear that success
might follow.
began by paying her marked a,ten-
ton. and iniruded upon her society
whenever could ind her apart. She
treated me at first with q suspicious re-
serve, but perseyered because she was
really attractive. because her inditfer-
ence In Il measure wounded my vanity,
and for the less important reason that it
was furLhering some scheme OF my part
ner to bring TO justice the criminal or
criminals upon whose hunt We had started.
NV efforts were not wasted; l could dis
coyor alter = while that the woman was
really becoming fond OF me. Her man
ner toward me became serious, aud she
began to welcome my attentions with un-
disguised delight. My intimacy with her,
however, cooled my admiration. per-
ceivCd in her q cruel. selfish nature, I'M
pulsive, sensual, with only the shadow OF
q conscience. A mere voluptuUus ugure
dressed up with art and superficial grsces'
soon became cloyed with her company
aud would gladly have rctreated had not
the business consideration induced me TO
follow up the atiair, which did, l must
confess, in such an ardent and heartless
manner. that she actually declared her
preference for mo above all men sbe had
met. At this stage l became uneasy
with my position. lor hardened SIS hsd
become by contact with crime, | do not
think any person can charge me with
cruelty to women. | accordingly con.
irived 10 see Slouch, and demanding an
explanation, refused to proceed q step
further.
Now. Tony, said my partner, "since
you talk OF leaving the gal. I'll tell you
Jest exactly how the matter stands. That
ere gal has got husband. He is our
game, and you must bring bim OUT
"A husband! whoreP" Inquired.
"On board this very ship" said Slouch.
WHO is heP' | anxiously asked.
"He's dark-c1mplocted. wary looking
chap in the steersge so, my eye on
him the first dag ou. and have been
watching him ever since. When Ross
began siding up TO the gal noticed he
watched him like cat; but rs | made
il out. hs saw she was iooliug with Ross
having little fun oil to herself, and then
be got easy again. Now. thinks l, il
Tony gets after that gal in serious sort
o. way. there'll be 3 man | know in the
steerage bobbin' round awful"
"And how has he behaved during my
gallantriesP" inquired.
"I'ts better than play said Slouch,
shaking his sides with suppressed laugh
ter. The chap and got 10 be chums.
you know. So took Sea, along side
him while he's squirting toward you and
the gal. and says, There's u lovin'
couple, amt they ?" Then be looks at me
and says, May be she's somebody elsa's
wife"
That's no hindrsncs," says !. "Ths:
ere gal, any ybody can see, has gone
spooney after that man, and widder or
wife, be can lead her where he likes"
Then he gets up. rolling his eyes, ,and
biting his lips. and goes pacing back and
forth on the deck. Pretty soon he sits
down again and asks me what my opin-
ion is OF women. 'Wimmin,' said |, is
not to be trusted. Fraity, thy name is
woman. Do you know who proposed that
ERE toastp' says l. 4 can't say as ! do,
says he. William Shakespeare says !,
the wisest man that ever lived. Ii there
was anything about wimmen he didn't
know, there's no use in any other mans
trying TO find i. out. Then. says |. You
don't look very well. 6lay be This rough
weather is affcclih' to you i am little
SICK says be. and then muttered TO him
self, 'thcre'l be a sicker msn than me
aboard this boat SOON Look out sharp
for him, Tony. He's go! very jealous
disposition, and can see by bis eye that
he means mischief"
well, SLOUGH" said |, "what do you
adviser"
$50 ON with your love making, Tony
tr :, 90, orot,y th;nk and stron0 pI