The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1883-12-23
CHAPTER XIV,

CHATTER AAlN'
"That dog seems very bad" said Mr..
Perkins, Mrs. Lemont's factotum, to
his confidential friend John, as they sat
over glass Of whisky punch in the
bar-parlOr Of The Anglers Rest"
"Very bad" he repeated; II wonder
Mr.. FancOurt doesn't have vet. to see
her-she's valuable dog
"She worse again to-day, y said John,
patting Juno's head. who tried feebly
to lick his hand as she lay extended at
his feet. 'She's been better for few
days, but now she's worse, | said to
master this morning, If | were you,
sir, I'd have vet. to see Juno. Those
were my very words, Mr. Perkins. But
he said to me, just as he said before,
Leave her alone; don't think there's
much amiss.' My master hasn't got
much feeling for dumb animals, take
it. What should you say, Mr.. Perkin52
You've known him longer than / have.
Take another glass Of punch, Mr..
Perkins"
We'll, l don't care if | do, respond
ed Perkins, holding out his glass to be
replenished. It's good stuff they keep
here, and no mistake. he added, smack
ing his lips as he slipped the fragrant
beverage. ..
You may well say that, Mr., Per
kins," returned John. The sort of
fishermen that come here like what's
good, and know if they don't get it.
As was saying, you knew Mr. Fan
court Before did, Mr. Perkins,
Not long before" said Perkins. III
came with Mrs. LemOnt from Ameri-
key. L d gone out there with family;
but didn't like the place. Old Eng
land for me, says; so | was glad to
get back. We didn't see much Of Mr.
Fancourt that is now, then. We lived
over china and glass shop in West
bourne Grove-a deal livelier place than
this, to my thinking"
you may say that. Here's to your
health, Mr.. Perkins, - interposed John,
taking a sip.
1t might have been observed that
whilst he took care to replenish his
companions glass with good liquor his
own was scarcely touched.
''Of course it was liyelier,' John re-
sumed. This is but dull place for
person of your powers of observation,
Mr.. Perkins. Did Mrs. Lemont keep
much company therey That would
make a difference, too, because she
doesn't see much now, take it,"
swell, no, can't say as We did have
much company" replied Perkins, who
always became eXtra-coniidential over
his glass. you see, | may tell you,
being one of the family, as one may
say; but it must not go any further, you
know-mum's the word" And Per-
kins, with a knowing wink, put his
finger to his nose.
John nodded, as though to say, II I'M
derstand."
1--WE didn't have much company,
though my mistress used to 60 out a
good deal, and was sometimes fetched
by dashing sort of a party. But there
was gent as used to come that she
seemed wishful to get rid of-sOme sort
of relation, | take it. " said Mr.. Perkins.
"Ay," returned John, carelessly. -
What did she want to get rid of him
for?"
II think he used to come for money!"
Mr.. Perkins replied, land we none Of
Us like to be sponged upon-my mis-
tress no more nor any one else"
No, certainly not, said John. you
are not drinking your whisky, Mr.. Per-
kins: Will you have a piper
We'll, / don't care if do have a
Whit, Perkins answered, using his GUS
tomary formula.
John called for clean pipes, and pro-
duced tobacco pouch from his pocket.
| You'll find this good, Mr.. Perkins"
he said, as he laid 1t before his friend.
Help Yourself"
You're fine Judge Of character, Mr.
Perkins, John resumed, after the pipes
had been brought in and filed, and the
smoke from the fragrant weed began to
ascend. "You ought to have risen in life.
| As for me, can brush clothes and 20
Of errands, and perhaps | know thing
or two: but haven't your powers. Mr..
Perkins. Now ! should just like to hear
you describe this gent; you'd do it like
print-you'd hit him off to the life, 1
know"
John put his head on one side. pre-
pared to listen with becoming attention.
We'll, he was rather little chap"
Perkins began, ilattered by his compan-
ions praise-"less nor yoll-and you re
not of the biggest, you know. He'd a
dark complexion, and black eyes that
was always twinkling about, and an
aquiline nose, and thin lips that always
looked as If he was a-saying something
to hisself; and he didn't wear no wills.
kers nor moustaches; and he always
looked out at-elbows like, though he did
get money from my mistress. :"
"IIa, ha.' laughed John, Your de-
scriptions are as good as a play, Mr..
Perkins. What was the name of the
CENT? I've queer fancy for knowing
/ names. Names ALWAYS seem to me 10