River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1879-07-10


IT,,ob a manner that no reflection but the
eeilino could be seen except you stood
eIose 70 it. At the opposite end of the
room was door covered Nth baize
and about half way down the room, to
fine right of the door by which we en-
tered, was folding serene. We seated
ourselves behind the serene.
s.Shall we call for coffee, Captain2n |
asked.
"Cofee! Ny good sir, have a negus
or bowl of rum punch. Coffee night
like this. Why, coffee is only fit for ba
bes."
Have what YOU choose for yourself,
Captain, and will pay for it, if you
will allow me; but for myself will have
Coffee
"Hi, waiter" shouted the Captain
The summons was answered by a
smooth faced, middle-aged man.
"Ha, Rowley, serving yourselis John
got his holiday; ha, ha" laughed the
Captain,
T is sally was answered by Mr. Row
ley in pantomimic gesture; he rolled his
eyes till only the writes were visible,
stuck his tongue in his cheek, put lis
finger to his nose, and lolled his head
on one side in such knowing fashion
that | laughed outright. Immediately
his posture changed, and he was the
smooth-faced man again, asking what we
gentleman might want
my young friend" said the Captain.
Then turning to me: "Pardon me, sir; we
are all friends when we drink together. .
certainly ! a, sented,
"My young friend will take cup of
coffee | would persuade HIM 10 take
something better; perhaps after the cof-
fec, he will. For myself, l will have a
glass of Cognac, edude 0,e, Rowley."
"Whatever you like, Captain" inter.
posed.
"You are too obliging, sir. Yes, will
have brandy; your very best, Rowley. |
look upon brandy as strength, sir; it slim
ulates, it revives, it strengthens"
"Now | will snow you my watch"
said as Mr.. Rowley quilted the room
/ had lost all my distrust of the Captain
and looked upon him as a gentleman
Having no suspicion, | did not observe Sc
quickly as should have done and, seeing
the house clean and orderly, with respect
abIe-looking man for its landlord, / haC
no thought of thieves or caution, anC
some time elapsed before my suspicion
were aroused.
Unbuttonlug my coat, | drew m.
watch from my inner pocket, saying q
the same time that it was good plan,
thought, to have secret pockets wher
thieves hands could not penetrate.
Every true observed the Captain
| {. but If you put nothing in them, as yol
said, they are not of much service"
''Ah, that was in the street" | replied
slapping my breast.
The Captain raised his eyebrows anC
uttered long '.whe-e-e-w," as he helt
out his hand for the watch. 1t was no
till after ards that ! thought of the loo
of exultation that passed over his feature
as he looked at the iewelled case of m.
old favorite. He examined it narrowly
Taking magnifying- glass from his peck
ct, he scrutinized the works; then hold
ing it close to the light, he examined tn
stones. At last he exclaimed:
''That watch is worth hundred ant
fifty guineas, if it's worth a penny"
Then, instead of returning it to me, IN
was about to slip it into his pocket
IL stopped him, SAYING, ''Hold Captain
Here; I'll leeplt in my own pocket" A
the same time | darted quickly toward
him and snatched it suddenly from hi
hand.
A momentary fire seemed to CLEAN
from his eyes, and prepared for a strug
gle; but, changing as quickly, he burs
into loud laugh, saying:
"The force of habit, sir, ha, ha!
thought it was my own. Quite mis-
take, / assure you; ha, ha. ha! Onl,
think l am sure you'll pardon me-"
Mr.. Rowley came into the room rub
bling his hands and smiling. 1t strucl
ME | mad never seen such sinister eX
preston on mans face before. Walk
ing up to the Captain, he said, "You'r
in merry mood, Captain; what's tn
| oko2n
"Why, Rowley, would you believe it
This gentleman gives me his watch t.
look at; admire it, and am about to pu
it in my own pocket, when, as a matte
of course, he puts the stopper on. Ha
| ha2 Extraordinary mistake. wasn't it?'
very Y said Mr.. Rowley, winking a
if his eyes would never come right again
'What's the reckoning, landlord?'
asked at is time | was getting to my
rooms, Captain, l continued; so viii
be very much obliged if you will put mt
on my way"
"Where's the hurry, my dear sir? Hal
an hour will make no difference to vol
now. and surely you'll not turn out again
on that coffee.
| al 4ait I Of hny
thing else. am tired, and wish to be a
home" spoke angrily. l felt annoyed
and uneasy, for | noticed some knowing
lookes and signs that passed between t. {
Captain and Rowley when the former
was telling about the watch, and lament
ed my folly in letting him know had 9
watch. Throwing a half-sovereign on
the table, said, ''That will pay, land
lord. Goodnight; I'm off .
Not so fast, sir, said the Captain, lay
ing his hand ON my shoulder and push
| ing me back to my seat. I'VE are not
off yet. Excuse me. As am guide
you must wait for my pleasure"
"How dare you detain me, slrsi' said l.
shaking off his hold 81 insist npon 90
ing. You have no right TO prevent me;
L
During the a,rercatlon, Rowley had
gone quietly round to the street door.
and now stood by it with his hand on
the key, which he turned Gas | took hold
of the door-handle), and put it in his
pocket.
What is this2" / exclaimed. Am
prisoner2 What right have you to de-
tain me! will report your conduct"
"The right of friendship, sir The
Captain is my friend. He brings you
here My friend wishes you to stop:
therefore wish you to stop. When the
Captain says, Got you can go; shall
not hinder you"
'Come, SIR, said /, turning to the
Captain; tend this folly. If this is a
Joke, end it, and let us go on our way
For | saw resistance wonld be useless on
my part and if had, as | now feaaed,
fallen into trap, it was only by strata
gem that could escape Bitterly did !
repent letting the Captain know | was
undefended | saw wildly now how he
had wormed all the information from me
that he needed and wondered at my ex-
treme folly in falling such an easy prey
to his glib tongue.
well, sir, am glad you can enter inte
the fun Of the thing. Let's have part
ing glass hen we will 20. What shall
it be- Hollands! rum? What no spirits2
Well, then, glass of sherry? Come,
Rowley, let's have "A bottle of your best
] thought it was best to give in; and as
Stunning an unconcerned all, again seated
myself, revolving in my mind what steps