Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1886-12-24
name on. The receiver must have no
means Of tracing where 1t came from."
Here was more mystery to pique my


curiosity still further.
The now obsequioui attendant re-
marked that che would attend to the
packing herself. While she was thus
occupied. the strange purchaser with
difficulty disinterred from well con-
cealed pocket small bag.
81 know exactly how much there is In
here" he said to me, with smile in
which sweetness and sadness were
quantity mixed. "Jusr $26.75. So the
quickest way is to take out sl.75."
He craned uphill he managed to empty
his little bag on the glass-topped case.
The assortment Of money that fell out
was very varied. There were soBe
neatly folded bills. few silver dollars,
some smaller silver, several 6ve-cent
nickels, and even few coppers. He
counted out $l.76 from the smaller de-
nominations, and then put one dollar
back in his bag, aud The Is cents in his
waist. coat pocket.
81 shall need some of that" he said,
"for messenger boy.' Then, looking
up at me and noting the look Of amaze
ment, that know pervaded my face.
though | strove to repress it, he added,
you are surprised to see man as | buy
such a dOll?"
81 am indeed" l replied, 81 can't un-
derstand it at all"
! 81 would like to tell you, Mr.. Rob
erts, because you have often bought Of
me when didn't know which way to
turn for something to eat, snd would
not like you to think me an impostor."
you shall tell me-" | answered, "if
you will: but not here. The girl is
coming back with youl box. 1t iss cold
night; glass or something warm will
do you good. We will 20 out and get
one. Then you can sit DOWN and tell
me what you will"
81 do not drink anything, sir, except
very occasionally, when my pains get
too great for meto bear. will be glad
to 20 with you where | can get cup OF
coffee. To- might, Of all nights, must
not drink, for am to see her to-mor-
row."
AS he uttered the last words look OF
almost ecstasy illumined his worn fea-
lures.
"Here is your parcel, sir"
"And there, think, you will find the
right amount
1t took the girl few seconds to count
the money.
Quite correct, sir; much obliged,
abe said when she had finished.
"Let me carry the box" suggested,
as we left the store together. evidently
to the astonishment of a. ! therein.
mo; thank you, sir. l can manage
it very well, and it's pleasure to me TO
feel it,"
VERY well. Where shall we go?"
81 know nice, quiet, lit:le place. 1t
isn't where you would go by yourself,
/ sir. but it'll be better for you TO 20
there. than to draw notice by taking
such. AN object as am, into better one.
And then I'll ask you to put IN address
on this. can't write very easily now
and besides, bad As my writing is, it
might be recognized"
A few minutes later We were seated
in a restaurant, the existence Of which
had been previously unknown to me. !
found, however, that it deserved the
character that had been given it, while
the scale Of prices was marvelously rea-
sonable.
Now, Mr.. Roberta" he began, when
he had finished the light meal, that was
all could persuade him TO take, "I'll
tell you my story, and III make it as
short as can, FOR, as you may imagine,
it is not pleasant one.
"I received an ordinary education,
and when WAS about Is, my uncle,
who WAS the only near relative | had,
got me into large dry goods house.
Ny name is John Crane, but was there
always called Jack and later on. when
| became drummer for the house,
Jack Crane got to be pretty well known
in nearly every important city. Our
house was = good one. having exclusive
control Of certain lines, and as / was
lucky enough to develop into nrst-
class salesman, made plenty Of money
.for myself, and, Of course, = great deal
more forths house. In those days was
pretty good-looklpg fellow. though
you wouldn't be likely TO think il when
you look at me as / am now. I was a
little above the average height, and my
face had no prewarning Of the lines and
seams and wrinkles That di.hgures II
to. night. Probably you would say j
am getting on in years, and | am not
yet SO.
"There were four partners in our
house, and when begun to prove my
self very valuable, they took me up So
cially and often asked me to their
houses. The second partner-I won'i
mention his name. though II you want
to, you can find out from the address
which will by-snd by ask you TO put
on that box-had beautiful daughter
L. was neutrality-suspicious. Ia me tC
think of making her my wife, but had
formed that hope from almost the FRS
time saw her. | will pass over all tb,
details Of my love-msking-I suppose
when one can become phiiosopbi'
enough to look back at those calmly
they are all pretty much alike; bn
1 (. = Il