Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1886-07-01
RIDING ON A PASS.
The Fate Of Mr.. Pettigrew, a Timid
"Dead-Head."

"Dead-Head."
MIR. Adolphus Pettigrew was an eld-
erly bachelor of thrifty turn of mind.
He was very comfortably off indeed,
but he never spent shilling when q
sixpence would do. and he acted on
the principle that charity, in a pecuni-
airy sense, begins-and ends-at home.
But his meanness was not conspicuous,
for he was always affable and obliging
when it cost him nothing, and he lived
SO quietly that he was not suspected of
being rich. He was timid, fussy lit
tie man, who was extremely correct in
his notions, and prided himself above
every thing on being law-abiding cit
izen.
Mr.. Pettigrew passed the greater
part of his time at the club, whereby
he had the satisfaction of feeling that
he obtained full value for the amount
of his annual subscription. Among
his acquaintance was certain Capt
ain Falconer, with whom he had been
for some years on friendly terms. For
a long time Mr.. Pettigrew had been
very shy of this gentleman, who was
generally regarded as rather a mysteri-
Gus parsonage. Nobody knew how he
ccntrived on his half pay to array him.
self in the height of fashion, to live in
sumptuous style, and to keep up the
appearance of man of means. 1t was
rumored that the Captain obtained a
handsome commission on the business
he introduced to well-known West
End money lender. and it is certain
that he could always be relied upon to
put young scapegraces in the way of
obtaining the wherewithal to- meet
pressing obligations. But there was
no proof that Captain Falconer de-
rived any benefit from these acts of
good nature. He was jovial, loud
voiced, rollicking, boisterous person,
who was hail-fellow-well-met with
every one, and possessed the happy
knack of being able to accommodate
himself to every kind of society.
Mr.. Pettigrew, whose worldly expe-
rience was strictly limited, had only
mistrusted the Captain because he
seemed the sort of man who would
borrow twenty pounds without the
slightest conjunction. He never, in
Seed. altogether conquered this mis-
giving, but in the course of time-as
Captain Falconer made no attempt to
impose upon him-Mr. Pettigrew end
ed by responding readily enough to his
friendly advances. The fact was that
the Captain won his regard by the oc-
casional gift of a theater ticket, a seat
at the opera or card Of admission to
some privileged entertainment 1t was
= peculiarly of the Captains that he
was always able to bestow favors of
this kind. Mr.. Pettigrew was by no
means recluse, and to go anywhere
or see any thing for nothing added
real zest to his enjoyment. He
therefore accepted these little tokens of
friendship from the Captain in CRATE
full and appreciative spirit, the more
particularly as he flattered himself that
the Captain really had a regard for
him. This idea, whether correct or
not was certainly excusable, seeing
that Mr.. Pettigrew had never offered
to make the slightest return for serv-
ices rendered in any shape or form. 1t
CHANGED at length that Mr.. Pettigrew
had occasion to take journey to the
west OF England. owing to the serious
illness of a rich aunt, from whom he
cherished expectations. He had known
Captain FalcOner to procure q free pass
for an acquaintance upon the very line
that he now wished to travel by, and
he therefore ventured to ask HIM to do
the same thing for him. The Captain,
whose good nature seemed inexhausti-
bic, readily acceded to his request, so
far at least As might lay in his power.
He explained that it was not ALWAYS
easy to obtain a free pass on the line in
question, but promised to use his influ-
ence, and seemed hopeful of the result
He was better than his word. for when
he met Mr.. Pettigrew by appointment
on the platform of the London termin-
US on his departure he pressed into his
hand a pass to Plymouth and back.
my dear Captain Falconer." ex-
claimed Mr.. Pettigrew, lingering the
document delightedly. II am reailye x-
tremely obliged to YOU"
$50 you ought to be" said the Cap
tain. in his jovial way; 81 had no end
of trouble to get Il can tell You. Put
It in your pocket" he added, rather
mysteriously. ''Ta! ta! old fellow. Sor-
~ can't wait to see you Cd.
Mr.. Pettigrew wrung his friends
hand and took quite an affectionate
farewell of him. The pass was really
. substantial favor. for the firss-class
fare to Plymouth and back-fer Mr..
Il