Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1886-12-26

the even tenor Of her way, sunk thou
sand or two more in unsuccessful specula-
ton, and made no change in her. habits OF
personal economy. Weeks passed without
any apparent sequel to this romantic ldyl,
Nothing was known definitely until Jack,
a month later, turned up in Sacramento,
with billiard cue in his hand, and heart
over-charged with indignant emotion. Il
don't mind saying to you, gentlemen, In
confidence, said Jack to a circle Of SYM
pathizing players-''I don't mind telling
regarding this thing, that l was soft on
that freckled faced, red eyed, tallow haired
gal as if she'd been-a-a-an actress.
And don't mind saying, gentlemen, that,
as far as understand women, she was Just
as soft on me. You kin laugh; but it's so.
One day took her out buggy riding-in
style, too-and out on the road offered to
do the. square thing, just as if she'd been
lady-Offered TO marry her then and
there. And what did she dO?" said Jack,
with hysterical laugh. why, blank 1t
all! offered me S25a week allowance-pay
to be stopped when wasn't at home!
The roar of laughter that greeted this
frank confession was broken by quiet
voice asking, "And what did you say
-''Say?" screamed Jack, II told her to
got with her money" ''They say, "
continued the quiet voice, that you asked
her for the loan of $3.50 TO get you to sac
ramentO-and that you got It," no
says so?" roared Jack. 'ShOw me the
blank liar" There was a dead silence.
Then the pOssessOr of the quiet voice, MIR.
Jack Hamlin, languidly reached under the
table, took the chalk, and, rubbing the
end of his billiard cue, began with gentle
gravity: SIT was an old friend OF mine IN
Sacramento, q man with a wooden leg,
game eye, three fingers on his right hand
and consumptiye cough. Being unable,
naturally, to back himself, he leaves things
to me. So, for the sake OF argument,
continued Hamlin, suddenly laying down
his cue aud fixing his wicked black eyes
on the speaker, say it's me"'
am afraid that this story, whether
truthful or not, did not tend to increase
Pegs popularity in community where
recklessness and generosity cOndoned for
the absence of all other virtues; and 1t Is
possible that Red Dog was not more free
from prejudice than other more CIVILIZED
but equally disappointed matchmakers.
Likewise, during the following year, she
made several more foolish ventures, ana
lost heavily. In fact, feverish desire to
increase her store at almost any risk SEEM
ed to possess her. At last it was announced
that she intended to reopen the lntelIx
Rockville hotel, and keep 1t herself. wild
as this scheme appeared in theory, when
put into practical operation there seemed
to be some chance of success. Much,
doubtless, was owing to her practical
knowledge of hotel keeping, but more to
her rigid economy and untiring industry.
The mistress of millions, she cooked,
washed, waited on table, made the beds,
and labOred like a common mental. Elsl-
tors were attracted by this novel spectacle
The income of the house increased as their
respect for the hostess lessened. No anec-
dote of her averice was too eXtravaSant Tor
current belief. 1t was even alleged that
she had been known to carry the luggage
of guests to their rooms, that she might
anticipate the pOrter's gratuity. She de-
MED herself the ordinary neceSsarles OF life.
She was poorly clad, she was ill-ted-but
the hotel was making money.
A few limited of insanity; Others shook
their heads, and said curse was entalled
on the property. 1t was believed, also,
from her appearance, that she could not
long survive this tax on her energies, and
already there was discussion as to the
probable final disposition Of her property.
1t was the peculiar fortune Of Mr.. Jack
Hamlin to be able to set the world right
on this and other questions regarding her.
A stormy December evening had set in
when he CHANGED to be guest ut the
Rockville hotel. He had, during the past
week, been engaged in the prosecution of
his noble profession at Red Dog, and had,
in the graphic language Of cOadlutOr,
cleared out the town, except his fare IN
the pockets Of the stage driver The
Red Dog Standard had bewailed his de-
parture in playful obituary verse, begin
ming, Dearest Johnny, thou hast left
us" wherein the rhymes "bereft u.s. and
''deplore' carried vague alluSion to "A
thousand dollars more. I" A quiet COL
teutment naturally suffused his person
ality, and he was more than usually lazy
and deliberate in his speech. At mid
night, when he was about to retire he was
little surprised, however, by tap on
his door, followed by the presence of Mis-.
treSs Peg Motfat, heireSs, and landlady OF
| Rockville hotel.
Mr.. Hamlin, despite his previous de-
Tense of Peg, had no liking for her. His
fastidiOus taste rejected her uncomeliness;
his habits of thought and life were all an
tagoniStic to what he had heard Of her
niggardlineSs and greed. As she stood
there, in dirty calico wrapper, still redo
embarrassment and the recent heat of
| the kitchen range, she certainly was not
an alluring apparitiou. Happily for the
lateneSs of the hour, her loneliness and
the infelix reputation of the man before
her, she was at least q safe one. And |
guess the very consciousness of this scarce
| ly relieved her embarrassment.
IL wanted to say few words to ye
alone, Mr. Hamlin," she began, taking an
unoffered seat on the end of his portman
| teau, cor shouldn't hev intruded. But
it's the only time can ketch you, or you
me, for Pm down in the kitchen from
sunup till now"
She stopped awkwardly, as if to listen
to the wind, which was rafting the win
dows, and spreading film Of rain against
| Tile "ltLOub. AhNh'
smoothing her wrapper over her knees, she
remarked, as if opening desultOry con-
versatiOn:
''Thar's power OF rain outside.
Mr. Hamlin's only response to this mete-
geological observation was a yawn, and a
preliminary tug at his coat as he began to
remove it.
Il thought We couldn't mind dom me a
favor" continued Peg with hard, awk-
ward laugh, partially ez folks allowed
you'd sorter bin q friend o mine, and he'd
stood up for me at times when you hedn't
hedn't an partikler call to do it. | hewitt"
she continued, looking down on her lap,
and following with her finger and thumb
a seam of her GOWN hewitt so many
friends ez slings kind word for me these
times that disremember them" Her
under lip quiyered up a little here; and,
after vainly hunting for a forgotten hand
kerchief, she finally lifted the hem of her
gown, wiped her snub nose upon it, but
left the tears still in her eyes rs she raised