The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-06-09


the job, aud you've got 70 mind mA II You
wasn't q cripple, I'd thump yer two eyes
into one! Mustn't any Of you try to come it
over me. If you do, you'll find the bull
dog'li take nip, jolly as he is"
"Right, mattel" assented Jack. "Blow
me If you aintl The cap will be rantin'
crazy, but you know how to get us out of
the scrape"
Gipsy Jack invariably sided with the good
humored Tom when it came to bloodless
passage at arms; Jack had great respect for
the stronger side.
At this juncture, the red-nosed proprietor
of the "Trayelers' Rest" beckoned Jack.
"a young snob-maybe detective-been
here akin after the boss" said he, as Jack
joined him. "He's here again. There he
is.' Indicating by jerk OF his thumb over
his shoulder young man standing near the
filthy bar.
| The young "snob" was no less person
than George. Newton, though his dress came
far short of being fashionable, and in its
shabby sloyenly appearance portrayed the
beggar.
"Umphp' grunted Jack. "He's in the
wrong place, if he's layin' for the captain. :"
Upon reaching his side, he touched Newton
on the shoulder, to attract his attention, and
inquired his business.
Jared Clark had left his address with
his dupe, bidding him seek him there SO
soon as he should have raised the amount Of
| his Indebtedness.
Circumstances had led him to come with
out the money.
He gave Jack evidence of his good will (P,
| and was accordingly welcomed.
"rhe captain told US you'd be lookin' for
him." said Jack as he reseated himself and
made room at the dilapidsted table.
| To his friends, George would have been q
pitiable sight.
His eyes were sunken, his features
pinched, and his whole aspect that of man
suffering from the combined forces of pas
sion and poverty.
"What brings you here, Mr.. Newting2" In
quired Tom Black, gruttly.
"Force of circumstances" replied George,
! In hollow voice. 'It was either starve or
become thief l have not courage to die,
and have chosen the Least of the two evils.
But till yesterday had no knowledge of
your leader as at the head Of band of
thieves"
Jack and Joe moved uneasily, as if the
epithet stung their sensibilities.
Tom haw.hawed, delghtedly.
'Jest SO, lad, said he. "This ere force
of circumstances is big thing! Would yer
blieye it, that's jest what made me cracks
man. l was poor, and hadn't friend in
the world. My dear, sainted ma croaked
aud left me nn orphing at the tender age of
twenty-five. The fortune she left was soon
gone cause was awful lb'ral, and chucked
it away on my friends. Then my friends
deserted me, and l took to drink drinks
the devils lotion, MIR. Newting). l was
Jagged for Dustin in door as | took to be
my own, when it was another mans all the
time My noble character was dsgnced.
Arter that didn't care a scuse me, ellers,
l was goin' to swar-I didn't care cuss
what become O. me, so jined the gang,
But misfortins never come half rigged-got
into lnuss with feller, and he took a
mean advantage of me and thumped me;
consequent, I'm on the lay. Jedge you air,
too, eh?"
He winked knowingly as he asked the
question, and looked sharply at George.
The absurd recital elected loud guffaw
from his pals.
81 am hard up, Mr.. Black" replied
George, 'tas l have already said. Ell irely
out OF funds, no one will trust me. am
stranded by my own evil passions, and have
nothing left to do save what my chief credit
or dictates"
"You intend to do Jest what Bob snys?"
'1f he will help me-yes; starvation is too
horrible"
"Well, mate" said Jack, good-naturedly,
'guess you'll not starve or get thirsty here.
Plenty of lucre, if you'll work for it, and
lots OF gin and grub. Let's have some of
both.
George Newton shivered like o man with
the ague, and could not touch the stuff
when it was set before him, hungry as he
felt.
IL do not know what TO do" he
groaned. 'To die at once would be as well
as to linger on and share the common fate
of thieves and murderers!"
Whether it was anger at this rough, but
unprecedented speech, or shifting of con-
science, one or the other sent Tom Black to
his feet in fearful, sudden rage.
Look you here, young man, you'd best
stow such language as then!" he roared.
''They amt needed I'm Tom Black, cove
what's on the lay, and shan't stand nom
sensew
That's the talkr' cried Gipsy Jack. "No
faint-hesrted chaps wanted with us!"
"My sentiments 'zactly" chimed the
Spider.
'Leastways, keep yer mouth shet about
murders" added Black, in gentler tones.
"We've seen too much blood-too much!
ugh~
And. covering his face with his hands,
lie sank upon the bench beside the table.
While this scene was transpiring inside
the Rest" there stood outside, at the en-
trance, a Young Irish girl, with basket of
apples hanging ON her arm. That is, the
passing pedestrian would have supposed her
OF Irish parentage.
One foot rested on the low stone step, the
other on the walk.
But the girl was not Irish, nor yet ped
TO BE CONTINUED.