The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-03-21

receipt in full II you cannot, you may
proceed to sell erything by auction"
MIR. Chalker hesitated. A valuation would
certainly give higher figure than forced
sale, and then that valuation doubled
| "Well," he said, ~ don't know. It's q
cruel, hard case to be done out OF my money.
How am | to find out whether anything
tell you would be Of use to you or not
What kind Of thing do you want! How dc
know that il you get what you want you
won't swear it is of no use to your
"You have the word Of ono who nevel
broke his word"
Mr.. Chalker laughed dersively
"Why," he said. 81 wouldn't ttke The
| word of an English bishop-no, \" ~" OF ar
neutrality-suspicious. money Is concerned.
What is it--what is the kind OF thing you
want to known
at is concerned with certain woman"
ooh, we'll, il it is only woman. Thought
it might be something about money. Joe,
YOU see, like good many other people, has
got his own ideas about money. and perhap.
he isn't so strict in his dealings as he might
be--rew men are--and / should not like tC
let out one or two things that only him and
me know" In fact, Mr.. Chalker saw, in
Imagination, the burly form OF Joe in his
Office, brandishing stick and accusing him
of friendships trust betrayed. But as it Is
only a woman--which of 'em Is til"
"This is young woman, said to be hand
some, tall, and finely-made; she has, l al
told, light brown hair and large eyes. Tha
is the description Of her given to mo-"
"Iknow the girl you mean. Splendid
figure, and goes well in tights n
81 have not been informed on that sub
iect. Can you tell me any more about
herW
81 suspect, mister" said Joe's friend.
with cunning eyes, that you've made the
acouaintance of q certain widow that was
married woman that is remember now.
I've seen Hindoos about her lodgings, down
Shadwell way"
Perhaps" said -Lala. land perhaps
not.n Hi, face showed not the least sign
which conld DO read You can toll me
afterwards what you know Of the woman at
Shadwell.'
"Well, then, Joe thinks know nothing
about it, Else l wouldn't tell you. Be-
cause don't want fight with Joe. Is this
any use to youa He is married to the girl
MS we'll as to tho widow"
"He is married to the girl as we'll as to tho
willow. IlS huo, thcH WV "Neos ~ 10
against tho English CUSTOM and breaks the
English law. The young wife who is beau
tiful, and the old wife who has tho lodging
house. Very good. What is the address OF
this womanI'
Mr.. Chalker looked puzzled.
Don't you know it, thenl What arc you
driving atr
what Is tho name and address Of this
Shadwell womanT
swell, then"-he wrote an address and
handed it over-''you may be as close as
you like. don't care. 1t isn't my business.
But you won't mako me believe you don't
know all about her. Look here, whatever
happens, don't say told you"
ut shall DO secret" said Lala, taking
out the bag OF notes LET US complete the
business at oncs, Mr.. Chalker. Here is an
other offer. I will give you two hundred
pounds in discharge OF your whole claim, or
you shall have valuation made. II You pre-
fer it, and will double the amount"
Mr.. Chalker chose the former promptly,
and in few moments handed over the ne
csssary receipts. and sent his clerk to recall
the man in possession.
"What are you going to do with JoeT no
asked. mo good turn, III swear. And q
more unforgiving face thon yours never
set eyes on. 1t isn't my business, but I'll
give you one warning. II you mako Joe
desperate he'll turn on you; and Lord help
your slender ribs II Joe once begins. Don't
make him desperate. And now III tell you
another thing. First, the woman at Shad-
we'll Is horribly jealous. She'll make row.
Next, the young one, who sings at a music
hall. she's desperately In love with her hus-
nnti--more than he Is with her--and II a
w,man's in love with man, there's one
thing she never forgives. You understand
what that Isl Between the pair Joe's likely
to have rough time"
81 do | have had many wives my
slf"
"Oh, Lord, no says he has had many
wivesl How manyT
Lala Roy read the receipt, and put it in
his pocket Then he rose and remarked,
with smile Of supreme superiority:
at is q pleasure to give money to you,
and to such as you, Mr. Chalker."
as itf no replied, with grin. "Give me
some more, then"
"You are one of those who. the richer they
become the less harm they do. Many Eng
lishmen are Of this disposition When they
uTe pooT tHty NoiNtS
and man eating tigers; when they are rich
they are benevolent and charitable, and
show mercy unto the wretched and the poor.
SO that, in their case, the words Of the Wise
Man are naught, when he says that the
earth is barren of good things where she
hoardeth treasure; and that where gold is in
her bowels no herb groweth. Pray, Mr.
Chalker, pray earnestly for gold in order
that you may become virtuous."
Mr.. Chalkor grinned, but looked uncom-
Portable
81 will, mister" he said: "a will pray with
all my might"
Nevertheless, he remained for the space OF
the whole morning in uneasness. The words
OF the Philosopher troubled him. do not
60 80 far as to say that his mind went back
to the days when he was young and Innocent.
because he was still young. and he never had
been innocent; nor do say that tear rose
to his eyes and trickled down his cheek, be.
cause nothing brought tears into his eyes
except speck of dust; or that he resolved
to conflno himself for tho future to legiti-
mate lawyers work, because he would then
have starved. l only say that he felt I'M
comfortable and Inundated. and chiefly SO
because an old man with white hair and a
brown skin-hang it! a common Niger
had been able to bring discord into the sweet