The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-01-10
IN LUCK At LAST.
by Walter BeSant.
CHAPTER H.
FOX AND WOLF.

Mr.. James, left to himself, attempted, in
accordance with his daily custom, to com
init a dishono-able action.
That is to say, he first listened carefully to
tho retreating footsteps of his master as he
went up the stairs; then he left his table,
erept stcalthily into the back shop, and be-
gan to Juli the dra wers, turn the handle OF
the safe, and try the desk. Everything was
carefully locked Then no turned over all
the papers on the table, but found nothing
that contained the information he looked
for 1t was his daily practice thus to try
the locks, in hope that ONE day the safe, or
the drawers or the desk, would be left open
by accident, when he might be able to solve
certain problem, the doubt and difficulty
Of which sore let and hindered him-namely,
u what extent and where placed, we're
those great treasures, savings and invest
nnents which enabled his master TO DO care
less over his business. II was, further, Gus
tOmarv with him TO be thus frustrated ind
disappointed. Having briefly, therefore,
also IN acc rlance with his usual custom,
oppressed his disgust at this want OF conf
dence between master and man, Mr. James
returned to his paste and scissors.
About IA quarter past six tho shop door
vas cautiously openel and head appeared.
which looked round stealthily. Seeing no
body about except Mr. James. tho head nod
ded. and presently, followed by its body,
stepped into the shop
Where's the Admiral, FoxyT asked the
caller
"Guv'nors up stairs, Mr.. Joseph, taking of
mis- tea with Miss Iris" replied MIR. James,
not at all offended by tho aluson to his
oraftiness Who should resemble the Fox
81 not the second hand BOOKSELLER In no
trade, perhaps, can the truly admirable
qualities of that animal - his patience
his subtlety and craft his pertinacity,
bis sagacty be illustrated more to ad
vantage Mr. James felt glow OF vir-
rue-would that he could grow daily and
hourly, and more AMI more towards the
perfect fox. Then, indeed, and not till then
would he be able to live truly up to his sec
ond hand books
Having tea with Iris: we'll
The speaker looked ms IL it required some
effort to receive this statement with resigna-
tj0n
"Iie always does at 81, o'clock. Why
shouldn't he' asked Mr.. James.
Because, James. he spends tho time in
cockering up that gal whom he's ruined and
spoiled -him and the old Niger between
her lawful relatives. and nothing will CON
Vent her but coming into all the old mans
money, instead of going share and share
alike as cousin should and especially
she cousin while there's biscuit left in the
locker and a drop OF rum in the cask'
"Ahl" said MIR. James with touch of
sympathy, called forth, perhaps, by men
tion Of the rum, which is Il ravorite drink
with secondhand booksellers assistants
Nothing too good for her. tho other went
on; ''the best of education, pianos to play
upon, and nobody good enough for her TO
know. Not on visiting terms. ifyou please,
with her neighbors; waiting for duchesses
10 call upon her. And what is she, after
hll' A miserable teacher!'
Mr.. Joseph GalIop was a,young man some.
where between twenty and thirty. tall, largo
limbeI, well set-up, and broad shouldered.
A young man who, at first sight, would seem
eminently httei TO push his own fortunes.
Also, at first sight, n remarkably handsome
fellow, with straight, clear cut features aud
light, curly h9lr. When he swung along the
street, his round hat carelessly thrown back,
and his handsome face lit up by the sun, the
old women murmured a blessing upon his
eomely head-as they used 10 do, long time
ago, upon the comedy and curly head OF
Absalom-and the young women looked
meaningly at one another--as was also done
In the case of Absaom and the object of
their admiration knew that they we're say.
Ing ID each other, In the feminine way, where
a look is as good as a whisper, "Tuere aops
q handsome fellow" Those who knew him
better, and had looked more closely into
his face, said that his mouth was bad and
his eyes shifty. The same opinion was held
by the wiser sort as regards his character,
For, on the one hand. some averred that 70
their certain knowledge Joe Gallon had
shown himself monster Of ingratitu ie To-
wards his grandfather, who had paid his
debts and done all kinds of things for him,
on the other hand there were some who
thought hs had bean badly treated; and
some said that no good would ever como Of
ayoung fellow who was nsv,r able TO re-
main In the same Gtuation more than q
month or 50; and Others said that he had
ssrtainly been unfortunate, but that be ~,