The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1880-06-03

worse for wear. The house stood a short
distance from the street and was cCm-
pletely surrounded by trees and ornamen-
tai shrubbery A beautiful avenue of
cedars served as an approach to its front.
1t had evidently once been the abode Of
wealth and luxury, but time and times
changes had left its mark upon it and
its surroundings.
noted all this at glance, as it vas
becoming quite dark. As soon as l could
prudently DO SO, left the car and enter
ed the grounds by scaling the fence at a
point where q cluster OF trees rendered
observation improbable. Cautiously ap-
preaching the house, l discovered sol
itary light in a second story window
The lower part of the house was securely
shut, so that investigations III that direc-
ton were impossible. A convient tree
afforded me easy means of overlooking
the room in which the light was burning,
and, perched in It's branches, had the
pleasure OF seeing my precious Ecoun-
drels busily engaged in asserting and
packing a great variety OF valuable arti-
cles. This action indicated that they
were preparing for ''fresh fields and pas
lures new" should occasion demand,
with little formality and loss OF time.-
Having noted well the locality and al
its surroundings, 1 descended from my
somewhat uncomfortable perch and re-
turned to the hotel.
Next morning, as [ anticipated, ODE
isle announced his intention of leaying
the city in few days for Niagara. The
weather was becoming uncomfortable, he
said; and though he had found my soci-
ETY. very agreeable, he should be compell-
ed to leave me. | assured him of my
undying esteem, and announced that I,
too, should leave for Chicago in a very
few days, as my business had been very
successfully concluded, and was anxious
to get away, especially.as rumors of.the
existence of yellow fever in the city were
rife N the streets. While talking with
him I allowed him to obtain a glimpse
of plethoric roll OF fresh, crisp, green
backs. I could see his steel grey eyes
glisten-thev were cold, yet magnetic
as he congratulated me upon my success.
"Let us have one more trip to the lake
before we part" said he; ''let us have
one more of those glorious fish dinnersl"
81 was about proposing that exact
thing" I replied, and we fixed the hour
of leaving for the lake.
I knew my time for action had arrived.
The game was to be bagged without de-
lay, or the game would bag me; / was
not altogether sure which it might be-
| left my valuables in the hotel safe, and
supplied myself with an imposing amount
of ''snide" and a trusty revolver and knife.
My wits seemed preternaturally sharpen
ed; and when at the appointed hour we
seated ourselves in the carriage, and I
discovered that the inevitable "POrter"
was our driver, l knew l should need
their best endeavors.
At the lake we partoOk of magniti-
cent dinner(at my expense), and just be-
fore sunset We started on our return. |
had feared being drugged at the Lake
restaurant, but if such thing was con-
templated it was not attempted for want
of opportunity. The few miles to town
would then cover the scene of operations.
I was on the alert, and anxious for the
fun to begin.
"Confound this cigar!" said "Delisle;"
''why can't those fellows give gentle
man what he pays forl This is just exc
cradle" and the half smoked cigar was
flung from the carriage window. '"Take
one of mine, b. l have always found
them reliable"
Suiting the action to the word, he
drew two cigars from his pocket and
profered me one which accepted
While he was lighting his, I slyly exchan-
ged the one he gave me for the one l
CHANGED to have. | felt certain that the
game had commenced, though how it
would end, could not determine.
"Well, how do you like that cigar" )"
said "Delisle," after awhile.
''It is just splendid" said I, "but
somehow 1 feel very, very sleepy. Did
I drink an unusual quantity of wine for
dinner?"
"Rather more than usual" said ''Del-
isle:' ''but don't let that trouble YOU
Take nap, and 1 will watch over your
slumbers!'
"Yes," thought I I:-s'such watching as
the cat does for the mouse. That's your
game. is it! All right. I'm your fly
aud now l walk into your parlor, Mr.
Spider, and dropped into what appear
ed heavy slumber.
We had now arrived at lonely place;
the horses were sobered down to o dead
| halt"
Hes fixed now," said ''Delisle," ad-
dressing Porter" 81 will go through
him at once, for fear of interruption;
and I was rapidly and scientifically di-
vested of my valuables five dollars in
currency and my ''snide' money, watch
and jewels. Then they drove to the
corner of Canal and Rampant streets,
when the carriage again stopped.
take the s'soft" to the hotel, with
the usual story of too much wine; put
up the team and hurry to the rendezvous
hurry up, l say, for this place VIII be
too hot for us to morrow"
''All right, sir, responded "Porter, .
and "Delisle" boarded a passing ear,
while your humble servant was driven to