The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1883-01-26
CHAPTER I,


clad oneswfio are obliged to tramp from
the center of London to some suburban
retreat So Maurice Esmond discovered
when he was making his way across
Blaekfriars Bridge southwark. A keen
eastwind penetratedhis closely -buttoned
coat, and ne scarcely paused to glance
at the long line of golden shafts made
by the reflection of the lamps in the
river. Although he had an eve for
picturesque effects, he was evidently in
too great hurry at present to study
them. AS he marched on, the number
of passengers whom he encountered
rapidly diminished, and by the time he
reached Camberwel Green the streets
were almost deserted. There were,
however, number of cabmen, few
young men who had been out on pleas
ure. and others who were out from ne
cessity, gathered around coffee-stalL.
A cheery-faced old man, wearing an
indeseribable skull-cap. stood behind
the counter dispensing cups of coffee,
the heat of which amply compensated
for any defcieney of flavor; and for the
hungry there were huge sandwiches
and lunches of currant cake.
The group was a merry one. and Es-
mond heard several loud bursts of
laughter as he approached. 1t was a
good-natured group, too. and way was
readily made for him as he advanced
and asked for cup of coffee. He
drank it in silence, but was quietly OBJ
serving his companions and listening
all the time with some interest to their
conversation. which was interspersed
with anecdotes chiefly of professional
character, and as a rule much less
coarse than might have been expected
He laid down his cup and continued
his way refreshed. Presently he turned
into narrow street which belonged to
the older part of the parish. On either
side were small shops-greengrocers,
shoemakers, rag and bone merchants
and rising in their midst at short inter-
walls the more commanding premises of
the gin-palace and the beer-house.
At the side door of one of the little
shops he stopped, and opened it quietly
with latch-kev. The sign board bore
in large yellow letters the legend, "Dan
O'Rryan, Tailor"
Edmond was not surprised to observe
that there was still light in the back
shop, for Mr.. OBryan having. like
most of his countrymen, a passion for
politics, was frequently found at late
hours seated on his tailor's platform.
stitching some garment busily, and at
the same time arranging the affairs of
the Nation in long harangues addressed
to his son, who was his only workman. or
to his wife. or in the absence of both,
to the walls, which in his imagination
represented spell-bound multitudes of
listeners.
Busy still. Mr.. OBrvangn said Es-
mond, as he looked in at the workshop
door
Come in. come in, Mr. Esmond,"
cried the old man, cheerily. Pm de-
lighted 70 see YOU before l 90 to bed.
Sit down and tell us what has been done
in the House. l suppose you heard the
debate?'
- was not IN the House at all to-
night; but understand there was moth
ing particular done"
But something particular will have
to be done, and that soon, too: for al
though / haven't been in my country for
many year now-more's the PITY
know that the boys mean to have their
own way this time" "a.
1--WE WiU have our wav.n exclaimed
the, voice of the son, who had been sit
ting so quietly by the stove that Esmond
had not at first observed him.
He was very red-headed young man,
with good-natured face, on which he
was continually endeavoring to display
an expression of tina, melancholy which
comes of too much brooding. In this
he was not successful; nature claimed
him for .'low comedy part in life.
although, like many eminent actors, he
was thoroughly convinced that tragedy
against him; he had been christened
Edward, but every one except himself
seemed to have forgotten thai fact and
he was known only as Teddy, and
sometimes as Teddy OBryan. He
could not help feeling. in the midst of
some of his dreams of the future, that
there was. something ludicrous in the
picture of a leader of patriots being
hailed as Teddy, my boy" ..r..
Esmond was accustomed TO the elo-
quence of father and son, and foresaw
that they were fully primed for hours of
discussion. He, therefore, made his
escape as speedily as possible. and
assembled to the little front parlor
which served him as sitting-room and
bedroom.
He's queer boy. that" said
OBryan. - - ----
Il don't like him, muttered Teddy,
gloomily. z -
Not like him. said the father,
looking up; what ais you at him? He
isas daeent aboy as l ever came across:
and when ] said he was oueer. I only
meant that he bothers me BY being SO
quiet and never saying q word about
where he came from"
Teddy spat on the goose to test its
heat. then polished II vigorously, and
began to iron the collar of a coat
Il don't like him. and it's because |
he's so quiet. You'd think butter !
wouldn't melt in his mouth. but I'm
certain he's got some wicked purpose |
under his sleek ways. How do we know !
but he's "a
Teddy paused. as if the thought were |
too terrible to utter. but he looked-or |
rather, tried to look-fuIl of direful /
forebodings- His father rewarded him |
first with loud guffaw. and then:
"A spy, YOU d-sayl / am thinking.
Teddy, Jon re grown a bigger fool than !
You were born. III go bail for him.
and dare any man to say that I'm not
true to the Cause"
''You might get yourself into trouble,
then; for. as wise as you are. anybody
can see that he is not one OF Us; any
body can see that he is not used to be-
ing poor: and the mother knows that he
isn't overregular in paying his rent
She is as bad as yourself in regard to
him. and says nothing"