Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1886-10-10
he had one. At which Mr.. Gashwiler became

certain papers 1 nave pun In your cEarge and
in your name, only taking from you a trans
fer that might enable me TO satisfy my con-
science hereafter in recommending you as my
-ahem,-private secretary. Perhaps, as a
mere form, you might now, while you are
here, put your name to these transfers, and,
so to speak, begin your duties at opce.'
The glow Of pride and hope that mantled
the cheek Of poor Dobbs might have melted
a harder heart than Gashwiler's But the
senatorial toga had invested Mr.. Gashwiler
with a more than Roman stoicism 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.
Il shall place them in my portmanter,'
said Gashwiler, suiting the word to the action,
for safe keeping. I need not inform you, who
are now, as il were, on the threshold Of off,
cial life, that perfect and invioable secrecy
in all affairs Of state"-Sfr. G. here pointed
toward his portmanteau as II it contained q
treaty at least-Sis most essential and neces-
sary."
Dobbs assented. Then my duties will
keep me with you herel" he asked doubtfully.
mo, no." said GaShwiler hastily; then, cor
rccting 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 in consequence Of arrears in his
rent, and he had a hopeful reliance that his
confidential occupation would carry bread
and lodging with it But he ouly asked il
there were any new papers to make out.
"Ahem! not at present; the fact Is I am
obliged TO give so much Of my timo to callers
Il have to-day been obliged to 500 half q
dozen-that l 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 hops, but still
Sanguine OF the future, humbly took his
leave.
But here a certain providence, perhaps
mindful Of poor Dobbs, threw into his simple
handS-to be used or not, II he wore worthy
or capable of using it-a 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 Dobhs was
announced, had other business in the hotel,
and in pursuance OF It had knocked at room
No. 90. In response to the gruff voice that
babe him enter, Mr.. Wiles opened the door,
and eSpied the figure Of q tall, muscular, fiery
bearded man extended on the bed, with the
bed clothes carefully tucked under his chin,
and his arms lying flat by his side.
Mr.. Wiles beamed with his right cheek,
and advanced TO tho bed as If to take the
hand of the stranger, who, however, neither
by word or sign, responded to his salutation.
Perhaps In intrudingf said Mr.. Wiles
blandly.
Perhaps you are" said Red Beard dryly.
Mr.. Wiles forced n smile ON his right cheek.
which he turned to the smitcr, but permitted
the left TO indulge in unlimited malevolence.
II wanted merely TO know if you have looked
into that matterf he said meekly.
I've looked into it and around it and
across it and over it and through it," re-
on Wills.
"And i have pcrused all the papersr
con;inc. ~. WileA
"Ivo read every paper, every speech, every
affidavit, every decision, every argument, v
said the stranger, us If repeating a formula.
Mr.. Wi!cs attempted to conceal his embar.
raSsment by an easy, right handel smile,
that went or sardonicaly on the left, and
continued: Then ] hope, my dear sir, that,
having thoroughly mastered the case, you
are inclined TO be favorable TO usf'
The gentleman in the bed did not reply, but
apparently nestled moro closely beneath the
cOverlidS.
Il have brought the shares l spoke Of"
continued Mr.. Wiles. insinuatingly.
"Hev you u friend within callf" interrupted
the rccumbent man, gently.
Il don't quite understand" smiled Mr..
Wiles. OF course, any name you might sug'
gest-"
"Hcv you a friend, any chap that you
might waltz in here at a moments callfT
continued the man in bed. "Nol Do you
know any Of them walters in the housei
Thar's n bell over yGn!' and no motioned with
his eyes toward the wall, but did not other
wise move his body.
NO" said Wiles, becoming slightly sus.
picious and wrathful.
"Mebhe a stranger might doi ! reckon
thar's one pasSin' in the hall. Call him in
he'll do"
Wiles opened the door u little impaticntly.
yet inquisitiyely, as Dobbs passed. The man
in bed called out, "Oh, ~stranger!' and, as
Dobbs stopped, said, "Come var"
Dobbs entered a little timidly, as was his
habit with strangers.
Il don't know who you be-nor care, /
reckon" said the stranger. "This yer man"
pointing TO Wiles-"is Wilcs. I'm Josh Sib-
blec Of Fresno, member Of congress from tho
Fourth congressional district Of Californy.
I'm jist lying here with a derringer into each
hand--jst lying hero kivered up and holdin'
in only to keep from blowin' the top O. this
id skunk's head of. l kinder feel l can't
hold in any longer. What / want TO say TO
ye, stranger, is that this yer skunk-which
his name is Wiles-hez bin tryin' his d-dest
to get a bride onto Josh, and Josh, cute re-
spect for his constituents, is jist waitin' for
some stranger to waltz in and stop thed-dest
fght-"
But, my dear Mr.. Sibblee, there must be
some mistake, y said Wiles, earnestly.
"Mistakel Strip me!n
mo! MOI" said Wiles, hurriedly, as the
supplemented Dobbs was about to draw
down the covcrlld.
take him away said the Hon. Mr..
Sbblee, before | disgrace my constituency.
They said I'd lie in Jail afore / get through
the session. III you've got any humanity,
stranger, shake him ont, and pow'ful quick,
too
DobLs, quite white and aghnst, looked at
Wies and hcsitated. There was a slight
movement in the bid. Roth men started for
the door, ami The next minute it closed very