Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-23

ing he might have seen that Mr.. Bisseps
demeanor had also undergone a sub
tie change. But the fact escaped his
notice. Curious wasn't it, Tobey
lighting down so sudden?" MIR. Bissel re-
marked.
Mr.. Stoker assented.
Been doing wonderful well out
West" Mr.. Bissel persued SCOT a
silver mine out there. May be he men
toned it?"
''Well, yes said Mr.. Stoker, guard
dly. Mr.. Bissel recrossed his legs an
coughed refeetively.
Wen, he did say something about
not speaking of it, he said slowly;
"but don'tssee as it'll do any hurt to
tell you. declared, it knocked me all
OF heap, Stoker, and / don't know
bow TO tell it; bat the old man has
made up his mind to leave me his money.
You see, he hain't got relative in the
world; ana he says I'm as old a friend as
he's got, and he always did think everv-
thing of me good gracious, Steker!n
For Mr.. Stoker's face was slowly length
ening.
That's what you're up to, is it?n he
said raising himself from the fence with
an ominous jerk.
'What?" retorted his nearer.
You're deeper than / thought" said
Mr.. Stoker, in a voice grown angrily
hoarse
what d'y mean?" said Mr.. Bissel with
resentful sharpness.
"If he told you that" Mr.. Stoker re-
sponded deliberately, sit was because YOU
proposed the thing yourself, and
wouldn't let up! If he has said them
words to you, Rufus Bissel, he was made
to-"
Mr.. Bissel's face grew red; the hand
which clutched the fence trombled indig-
nantly and he struggled to speak.
'There's been foul play!" Mr.. Stoker
went on, excitedlY. he told me, Joel
Tobey, right there in my kitchen, Just
yesterday, that he was going to leave
every cent of his money to met"
Mr.. Bissers face turned from red to
white.
81 don't believe it," he said wrathfulIy.
There was a palpitating silence. The
two old friends, the neighbors of
twenty-five years, stood glaring at each
other.
'Don't you ever set foot in my house
againw said Mr.. Stoker, unsteadiIy;
'you nor your son neither. see my
girl in her grave before I'd see her mar
ried to him!'
"And I'd give my last drop of blood to
save him from being tied to any of your
kith or kinr' said Mrs. Bissel furious
ly.
If there came thought of their life
long friendship, of the many years they
had lived side by side In perfect trust
and harmony it was thrust aside. The
red-haired man who had come up unob-
served and stood waiting in bored way
for a chance to speak, said TO himself
that he had never seen a livlier tussle.
The red-haired man looked weary and
travel-stained, and was himself out of
temper.
SWELL" he remarked impatiently, "see-
ing you're stopping to take breath, may
be you'll tell me if you know anything
about-an old man I'm after? Escaped
from private asylum. Must have gone
through here yesterday. I've tracked
him every step of the way; but he kept
a little ahead. Short and thin with sharp
eyes"
His listeners started.
HE can't mean Tobey?" said Mr.,
Stroker, slowly.
ssTobey's his namev, said the red
haired man, joyfully. Have you got
him?"
Gle amt the one," said Mr.. Bissel,
with dignity. 'He's here on a short visit
to his friends. He owns a silver mine out
West"
'The red-haired man laughed.
"Thinks he does" he said. jovially,
''that's his mania. He did have one,
years ago, and sunk all his money in it,
and it turned his brain. He's been in
our asylum ever since; his friends keep
him there. Perfectly harmless, but crack
ed. If you'd just mention where he is,
by the way? [ don't care about missing
him this time"
Mr.. Bissel ierked his thumb backward
in agitated silence, and the red-haired
man disappeared with alacrity.
Ir. Stoker rubbed mis- chin for several
moments in sober reflection.
cts just what we deserve, Bissel?' he
said, solemnly.
Gust what I was thinking" Bissel re-
Joined.
81 dccIare-T don't know but am glad
of it," said Mr.. Stoker. "When it comes
to quarreling with your best friend, Bis
sell"
"a silver mine, more or less, wouldn't
hardly make it square!' said Mr.. Bissel.
''Just what was thinking"
A tall young man and a dark-eyed
girl were coming slowly up the street to-
gether.
"They are a pretty good looking
couple, amt they, Mr.. Bissel?" said Mr..
Stoker.
ssThey can't be beat" said Mr., Bissel
heartily. And the two old friends shook
hands.
Ballet and Business.
Ouoa ha World