Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-03-14
CHAPTER I.
THE HOUSE IN THE REAR.


and sewers. No moon, no stars-not a
sign of the planetary lights. The equi-
noX was on. Dali. drearv weather, with
scarcely any cessation of the pouring ele-
ment.
In an upper room OF Il neat frame house,
on one OF the suburban streets of Brooklyn,
sat Il number of men and two women. The
men were faShionably dressed and fit conf
pany for their companions Of the opposite
sex. Four of them well-know throughout
the country, the others known to certain
public officials only.
One of the women, fair to look upon,
seemed strangely out of place and i'll at ease,
but the other had bold face and a reckless
air.
All were at q sumptuously- spread table,
eating and drinking.
Now and then burst Of laughter ascend
ed to the frescoed ceiling.
Jolly parties frequently gathered here,
whose hilarity caused 10 comment when its
sounds reached without, for the house stood
some distance in from the street and was
surrounded by a well-kept garden, the shrub
berry of which almost hid the lower portion
of it.
To the left was summer-house of quaint
design, over which clambered vines and
flowers. Opposite the house stood little
wooden church, in the midst of large I'M
cultivated field Few houses there were in
the vicinity, and the street was never light
ed save by the moon, Tor the city authorities
seemed yet to be blind to the interests of the
suburban inhabitants and allowed no lamps
In this upper room sat the gay party for
several hours, talking, eating and drink
ing, when one of the four men, putting
down his wine-glass, and wiping his lips,
asked:
'Ricker, what news have you received
from the country today"
The man addressed as Ricker-short,
stout, and blaze-tossed off his glass of
Mumm before answering:
.'None-a fact for which I cannot ac-
count"
ooh, it's nothing to be alarmed about, my
dear George!" cried the bold-faced woman.
There is no danger. The men in that Sec
ton are secure enough. They are able to
take care of themselves. We must be eau
tious here
81 believe Jess is right, said another of
the four s'While we have here q pretty
sure retreat, we have the disadvantage of q
near police-station. We are enjoying our
selves and making considerable noise, totally
regardless of consequences.
mot So" said Kicker. "Our very hila-
rity disarms suspicion"
\ colored servant entered. He stood still
near the door and, without uttering a word,
placed his finger upon his lips.
In an instant the lights were out and the
house was enveloped in darkness.
The man Kicker caught the fair, timid
woman by the hand and silently drew her
into the hall and down one flight of stairs
into small room, where way taper afford
ed dim light.
I'm afraidr' shivered the woman. "What
is wrong?"
Nothing, 1 Think whispered Kicker.
''The signal given was one OF warning only.
We are obliged to be careful. Remain here
till my return"
He left her seated on luxurious settee,
trembling and sick. In few minutes he
returned, pleased look en- his countenance.
After lighting the lamp, he took seat be-
sEverything is we'll, my good girl Sam
saw an officer stop in front Of the gate and
gave the notification which we require in
any such event"
The young woman was sobbing violently
and paid little attention to what was being
said.
sOh, George Kicker" she moaned, "why
do you not forsake this villainous course Of
living and be honest? Here you are in con.
slant danger of being arrested and sent tc
prison, perhaps for life, while, if you were
honest, there would be no need for secrecy
and you could mingle with the world unsus
picious of any. 1 have come here at great
peril, purposely 10 ask you to stop where
you are-to leave this place and become q
man. Will you not do SOP
The man laughed lightly and gave her q
qtizzical look.
.'Came here for that, Ell? Well, Sis,
don't care to quarrel, but must say dont
believe you. You came here for advice
You are q timid bird sometimes, but YOU'D
never hesitate to have your own way when
it came to the pinch. There's something
on your mind. If my parent hadn't repro
bated me, you would not be forced 10 come
so far to seek counsel which I am quite
ready to give. Don't let scruples stand in
the way. Be willing to dare and to do
How did you succeed in getting here?'
''Father thinks / have gone to visit a
friend" said the woman
There is no danger of his seeking you?"
''He would not think of it. I told him
should return in the morning"
''And don't ever come here again, beg.
replied Kicker. I'm ; bad because there's
wicked blood in me, but don't want you tc
be what am. Yet as to prosperity, you
must be rich. and, if your father can't sup
ply your cultured tastes. why the next bes
step is I'll close the door, that the whole
house may not hear my plans for your tu.
ture welfare
Then followed well-concocted scheme
the details at times sending a shuddeI
through the listener but she made little OBJ
lection. 4 mans advice to weak woman,
who was already following IN his own sinful
footsteps. The recording angel in Heaven
must have written dire condemnation againsi
his name. aud he would surely have paused
could he have comprehended the eDormity
of his sin and its results; but his heart was
calloused and his vision obscured.
The house was still: there was no one
awake-the hilarious men and the woman
of bold address had retired each to theil
several apartments hours passed before
the man Kicker and his female companion
separated.
A dark night, indeed