The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1880-07-31

against What's-a-name, that might have
been landlady'sp"
."If could tell what you were driv-
ing at" said 1, 81 might be able to an
swer YOU"
"Well," said Spriggins, there's a
woman-nobody knows her first hus-
band. dono-I dono. Curious. umg'
Perhaps my grandmother may
know" 1 said, beginning to feel sure
that Spriggins, whose occupation ! could
never discover, was private detective.
" If it's important. I'll ask"
well, responded Spriggins. ''might
be-again it mightn't. Ask, do; kind
of you"
The result of my inquiries was that l
soon found myself able to mention to
Spriggins that Mrs. Copper had been a
Hrs. Mapes. whose husband was mate
of an ocean vessel lost at sea in the first
year of her marriage.
When l told Spriggins this news, he
said: "well, that's settled toow And l
was certain he was detective. began
to be interested, but he was very close.
He asked questions but answered none.
One day he met me; he had evidently
been waiting for me some time, and
taking me by the cuff, said:
"See here, Perkins, does landlady
owe much in the neighborhoodP'
"Not to my knowledge" said !.
"Uml You mightn't know" said he.
cooper leave her anything"
1.-the house, / believe" said l, ''and
1 think enough TO keep her from want.
Grandmother says So"
Night have spent it, though" said
he. swell, look here. Ever hear of
any falling out with Copper-reproach-
ing him with not doing well enough by
her? Anything O. that sort?"
Never" said /.
Grandmother likely to "a heard if
twas So" said Spriggins.
81 should Judge SO" said l.
swell, that's settled, then," said he.
"Know her dentistp"
Eyes; think I've met her at G.'s,"
said l.
The next day saw him coming out
of G's, and what he said to me this
time was:
Now look here; Perkins. If you
should hear anything curious about
landlady's past life, you tell me. Some
thing depends on it."
Its not likely; but if / do I'll men,
ton it." said l. And my curiosity be-
ing excited, asked my female rela-
tions so many questions about Mrs.
Copper that they soon began to accuse
me of having fallen in love with her.
However, in the end made adiscovery.
As soon as heard what am about to
tell you, l fancied that l had clew to
Spriggins' conduct; that his suspicious
rested not on Mrs. Copper but on some
of her boarders. Some young man who
had been robbing his employer, per-
haps; for my idea that Spriggins was q
detective had now become a fixed belief.
Accordingly, on returning from so
journ in the country, where had heard
this news, l sought Spriggins out. l
found him in the lunch room where
knew he usually dined, and came be-
hind him and said;
"Spriggins, I've got something for
you at last
Bout whatP' asked Spriggins, put
ting down his fork. = a
Mrs. Copper, said l.
Umv' asked Spriggihs. Eh!''
>" Well, it may show you where the
land lies" said /. "One OF your board
ers has gone up where I've been on the
Sound, and she's been going on about
it. She says Mrs. Copper is in pretty
desperate position"
lowe money! he asked turning
white.
No." said l, "worse than that.
She's engaged to one OF her 6oarders'
Meets him round the corner and goes tc
concerts with him. Lets him court heI
in the back parlor. In fact, going to
be fool enough to marry him: An ugly
conceited fellow the young lady says.
She can remember his name, but hes
a worthless creature hasn't paid ms
board since he came and Is gong To
self for home. Isay, Spriggins, II
y