The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1880-02-19

relief, was not Tor Humphrey tonight.
Ill do II" he muttered to himself be-
tween his set teeth. "It's the last move
LETT Tor me. I shall be locked up for life
but shall have bread to eat and a roof TO
cover me, and my bones won't ache as thev
ache tonight. Yes" he calculated with
an oath, ''I'll do it."
He went as far as the Sugar IOaves.
erept close up to the window, and peeped
In through a crack in the crimson curtain.
/ A man was sitting by the fire, smoking a
long clay pipe. Two more sat apart at a
table, drinking beer. a creature who
| looked little better than tramp lay asleep.
stretched full length upon a bench bv the
/ whlte-Washed wall, but an empty plate and
mug on the table beside him showed that
/ he had patrOnized the house before he
took his rest, and and a Well-flled bundle,
/ which served as a pillow for his touzled
head, indicated his claim to be considered
a respectable member of society.
The picture, humble as it Was-a sanded
floor, deal tables, kitchen freplace-6lled
Vargas with envy.
He went in at the open door. The land
lord was sitting In his snug bar, reading
/ yesterdays paper.
"WhO's the magistrate hereabouts, mater"
asked Vargas.
"YOu'd better keep out Of his way" an
swered the landlord. "He's a mark on
tramps."
'You Just keep your advice till you're
asked Tor it" grOwled Vargas. 'I want
to know the magistrates name, and where
can find him. That's all I want"
"I suppose you are going to give your
self in charge" answered the landlord
ironically.
81 am"
"YOu'd better go and tell that to the
marines, my friend. Our magistrate is Sir
Everard COurtenay, the owner Of Fairview.
You will see the lodge gate at the end of
the street. There isn't a finer gentleman
in the country, nor one that's kinder to his
tenants and servants, but he's as hard as
nails when 1t comes to such cattle as you"
81 amt afraid Of him." answered Var
gas. "Oh, L say, landlord, dye happen to
know anyone as wants daWgP
"That depends on circumstances. If the
dogs a good bred 'un, handsome and well
edicated, and to be had for nothing, I
might find you a customer"
'The dog amt handsome, but he's as
true as steel, replied Vargas, "and you
may have him fOr"-he was going to
say for nothing, but changed his mind
"fOr a mug of beer"
And here he held Timothy aloft By the
loose skin at the back Of his neck, and ex-
hibited the cur to the landlord and a friend
ly lounger.
They both saluted Tins perfsctions
with a loud guhaW.
T. q
preciate your offer, but my conscience
wouldn't allow me to rob you Of such
valuable specimint. Keep him agen the
next dog show; or praps the Prince O.
Wales might like to continOo the breed"
"YOu may chat" grOWled Vargas, shut
you don't know what you're refusing.
There never was such a dog for sense and
affection. Hes the best dog in England. p
"Did you ever try him ?" asked the
lOunger, who considered himself the vii
Iage wit. "Had you ever a house"
aye" snapped Vargas, "but not so big
a one as you ought to OkiPy."
"Indeed p
"The county asylum's about ft for you.
You're entitled to place in the idiot
ward.D
"Thank you" said the Iounger, with an
air Of saying something crushing. "If [ was
hedit0r Of a comic paper I should ask you
to communicate again :"
'Then you won't have the daWg, land
lord p" pleaded Vargas with a piteous look,
first at Tim and then at the prosperous,
over fed host.
"Not unless I had him stuffed for a
scare-orOW," said the landlord $50 now,
my man, you'd better sheer of. Custom
ers of your quality amt wanted at the
Sugar Loaves. Their favors is not
solicited"
The man muttered a curse, and turned
on his heel.
Better in Jail than out for such as me
better under ground than above it.
He craWled slowly back again, by the
way ne had come, to the other end Of the
village.
CHAPTER II.