The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1882-09-08

before. 4 thought So he went ON
well. sir, followed you to have few
words with YOU. You may guess how
started at this, Sam, for | had never
seen the man before in my life. He
continued, you are partners in Tom
TObbs, with Mr.. SHELDON, believe.
Sam, when 1 heard him say this l fell
that l could cheerfully have dropped
into well, or anywhere. l made sure
he was detective employed by the life
assurance office, and l could not an
swer him. He thought my fixed, help
less stare meant anger. so added. very
civilly: No offense, / hope, sir; but /
came down to see Tobbs on Business,
and he tells me he is engaged to you
two gentlemen. You will excuse me,
sir, but what's you line, and are you
open to an offerp' l felt little relieved
here, Sam. for although Icould not under
stand what he was talking about, or
what on earth he was referring to. Yeti
was plain that he was no detective.
'Line! | repeated. AN offer! 'Ex-
actly, sir, said the man. Il am going
| to work the north, SO, even if you are
in the same line, we shall not clash if
your beat is southerly. 1t is worth
thinking of, if you don't want him di-
rectly. My money is right My dear
SIR at last found breath to say, Il
don't know who you are, what your
line is, or what you are talking about;
and am at an equal loss as to what
you suppose my business is AS for
that, sir, said the man, laying a card
on the table, that's me, sir--Prof.
Hildebrandt de la Crespigny. profession
ally; John Hookle. in private life. You
have heard of me, of coursep' i am
sorry to say have not, sir, ! answered,
reading the card, VIII oh appeared to be
that of a professor OF legerdemain, who
was also the proprietor of a wax-work
exhibition with which were combined
monstrosities of various kinds. Never
heard of me, sir!' he exclaimed. Come,
you are joking. But my time is short.
for must catch a train, having to meet
the Three-legged Venus tonight, so
just let us see if we can't come to terms
about old Tom. Here am l. Jack Hookle,
with ready cash, if preferred. Are you
going to show himp When are you
going to show him? Where are you
going to show him? There are the
questions, and if answered suitable, will
pound a week satisfy you? Say thirty
shillings besides his own screw, as I
must own he is a. safe draw i tell
you what it is, Mr.. Hookle,' l said, with
perhaps trife of sternness in my tone,
as regained confidence, and as he was
growing rather bore; if you will
speak plainly will answer you, but l
AM not going to show anybody. nor do
l see why any one should want to see
Tobbs, and I can't understand your
language Why, what do you want
to box up the finest living skeleton
in the bus ness for year and half. if
it isn't to bring him out under fresh
name?' said the horrible man Il
worked him for two years-first as the
Fas'ing Hermit of Patagonia, and then
as the Living Skeleton from the wilds
of Siberia. Why! what's the matter,
sir? He might well ask me what was
the matter just then. Sam, for l gave a
deep groan, and my head fell forward
on the table. My feelings were awful.
/ saw it all-the crash--the collapse
the utter smash-the swindle! With
great effort rallied myself and said: Il
thought Tobbs was-was, in a consump-
ton, and | took pity on him, and
Ha! ha! hai-haw! haw! haw!-ho!
no! ho!-you'l excuse me- gasped the
stranger; 'but The! he! he!-its too
good. He in a consumption! Bless
your soul, sir. he will last you and me
out-thou III he can come the cough and
spasm dodge splendidly. His father and
mother are nearly as thin as he is, and
they seem likely to live forever; his
brothers and sisters are much the same
But he told me. l interposed, that he
had not relative in the world: that he
was born in India, and could not re-
member his father or mother Did
he thought said Mr.. Hookle, in tone
of genuine admiration; did he really?
What a clever chap he is! 1 always said
Tom Tobbs ought to have been a law
YER Il wish he had been anything, or
anywhere said |, so that had never
seen him. Did you ever see him eat,
sir! said Mr.. Hookle. Il hardly ever
saw the fellow do anything except
cough and groan,' l replied. He is
awful at it. isn't hep continued MIR.
Hookle; his victuals do him no
good, but the quantity he can eat
is astonishing. We always used to
allow him an equal quantity to what
we three-self, wife and son; all
hearty people, sir-used to have, and
then he grtlmbled. You have no doubt
heard of the celebrated match where a
man ate twenty-one pancakes for a
wager? Well, Tobbs was the party. It
was very properly considered wonder
full performance, but it is not generally
known that he had eaten pork pie,
and drank pot of ale, just before he
commenced uttered some strong
calculations here; the speaker shook his
head sympathetically, and went on:
He does seem to have caught you alive,
sir, 1 must own; yet can't exactly see
what you have kept him the best part
of two years for-however, that's no
business of mine. You don't want to
show him you say, now dol really
think you had better let him come with
me- Il am sure we had,' l muttered.
or with any one else who will rid us of
such a detestable vampire i will give
youten pounds to cancel his engagement
from tomorrow said Mr.. HOOkle, will
hand you over the notes at once.' He's
yours l exclaimed, and eagerly took
the proffered paper. Just write your
name on the back said he, pushing
the Coach and Horses inkstand toward
me; that's enough, sir, l know l can