The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-10-30

left eye like dark lantern on the benevolent
representative,
youth, when faithful and painstaking,
should be encouraged, replied Mr.. Gashwher.
Il lately had occasion 10 point this out In
few remarks had TO make before the Sab
bath school reunion at Remus Thank you, 1
will see that they arc heml-conveyed to
him shall give them to him with my own
hand" he concluded, falling back IN his chair,
as If tho better to contemplate the perspective
Of his own generosity and condescension. Mr..
Wies took his hat and turned to 60 Before
he reached the door Mr.. Gashwiler returned
to the social level with q chuckle:
"You say this woman, this Garcia's niece,
Is handsome and snartf'
"Yean
al can set another woman on tho track
that'll euchre her every timer
Mr. Wiles was too clever 10 appear TO notice
the sudden lapse in the congressmans dig
nifty, and only said, with his right eye:
"Can your"
"By Cd, Vil, or don't know how to
represent Remus."
Mr. Wiles thanked him with his right eye,
and looked dagger with his left. Good
he said, and added persuasively: "Does she
live herelr
The congressman nodded assent "An aw-
fully handsome woman-a particular friend
of minol" Mr GaShwier here looked as if he
would not mind to have been rallied little
over his intimacy with the fair one; but the
aStute Mr.. Wiles was Mt the same moment
making up his mind, after interpreting the
congressmans look and manner, that he must
know this fair incognito If no wished to sway
Gashwer. He determined to bide his time,
and withdrew
Tho door was scarcely closed upon him
when another knock diverted Mr.. GaShwiler's
attention from his proofs. The door opened
to n young man with sandy hair and anxious
face. He entered the room deprecatingly, as
If conscious of the presence of powerful
being, to be supplicated and feared Mr..
Gashwlcr did not attempt to dsahuse his
mind BUSY, you seer he said shortly,
correcting your work.
81 hope It is acccptable'" said the young
man timidly.
"Well-yes-it will do,' said Gashwier;
indeed | may say it is satisfactory on the
whole he added with tho appearance Of a
large generosity; quite satisfactory"
"You have no news, I suppose" continued
the young man, with slight flush, born Of
pride or expectation.
"No, nothing as yet" Mr. Gashwiler paused
as if thought had struck him
~ have thought" he said, finally, that
some positon--such as q secretaryship with
me-would help you to II better appointment.
Now, supposing that make you my private
secretary, giving you some important and
confidential business. Ehf'
Dobbs looked at his patron with certain
wistful, dog-like expectancy, moved himself
excitedly on his chair seat in peculiar canine
like anticipation of gratitude, strongly sug-
costing that he would have wagged his tail il
he had one AT which Mr. Gashwiler became
more impressive.
Indeed | may say that anticipated it by
certain papers have put in your charge and
in your name, only taking from you trans
fer that might enable me to satisfy my con-
science hereafter in recommending you as my
-ahenl-private secretary. Perhaps, as q
mere form, you might now, while you are
here, put your name to these transfers, and,
so to speak begin your duties at once"
The glow of pride and hope that mantled
the cheek Of poor Dobbs might have melted
n, h,r s1a rf than GaShxp,1ar, p,,t tbo
senatorial toga had invested Mr.. Gashwiler
with a more than Roman steicism toward the
feelings of others, and he only fell back in
his chair in the pose of conscious rectitude as
DObbs hurriedly signed the paper.
81 shall place them in my portman-tell,"
said Gashwier, suiting the word to the action,
'for safe keeping. need not inform you, who
are now, as it We're, on the threshold Of Off
cial life, that perfect and inviolabe secrecy
in all affairs of state'-Mr. G. here pointed
toward his portmanteau as if it contained q
treaty at east-"is most essential and neces-
sary"
Dobbs assented Then my duties will
keep me with you here" he asked doubtfully.
"No, no." sail Gashwiler hastily; then, cor
recting himself, he added: that is-for the
preSent-no"
Poor Dobbs' face fell The near fact was
that he had lately had notice to quit his pres
ent lodgings i'll consequence of arrears in his
rent, and he had hopeful reliance that his
confidential occupation would carry bread
and lodging with it, But he only asked if
there were any new papers to make out
"Ahem! not at present; the fact is am
obliged to give so much of my time to callers
i have to-day been obliged to see half
dozen-that | must lock myself up and say
Not at home for the rest of the day." Feel
ing that this was an intimation that the inter
view was over, the new private secretary, a
little dashed as to his near hopes, but still
sanguine of the future, humbly took his
leave
But here certain providence, perhaps
mindful of poor Dobbs, threw into his simple
hands-to be used or not, if he were worthy
or capable of using ia certain power and
advantage He had descended the staircase,
and was passing through the lower corridor,
when he was made the unwilling witness Of a
remarkable assault.
1t appeared that Mr.. Wiles, who had
quilted Gashwiler's presence as Dobbs was
announced, had other business in the hotel,