The Delta independent., 1888-02-21

Dumble thought some envoy en-
traordinary or minister who has just
arrived"
Concerning the loan," said the
president, ''what does your excellency
suggestp"
Dumble broke out into cold per
spiration. What loanp He was at sea.
He could only stare stupidity at Barrios.
"Ah, see." continued the president.
smiling. "Your excellency would first
hear proposition from me!'
| "Ur-r-I think 1t would suit me
better" replied the puzzled Boston ian.
"Very WE'LL, was the response. ~
must tell you plainly that Guatemala
4 cannot redeem the bonds. Now this
indebtedness should not be matter OF
vital Importance to your government,
since it is due to private citizens. var
ious bankers and capitalists of Lon
don."
England has always protected her
citizens in such cases." was Mr..
! buHtule splIitcu Iepiy.
True" said Barrios. "and l admire
your govern ment for it, but if 1 tell
you that the best we can do is to issue
new bonds, running 10 and 20 years
longer at per cent, do you not think
| -P"
''Oh, yes" was the ready answer of
the wretched impostor, 'that is good
enough. am in favor of it."
"You are !" exclaimed the president
"Well, Sir John, it appears to me that
the whole business is settled"
What Dumble would have said will
never be known. Just at that moment
a short, stout man. in the plain dress of
citizen. forced his way past the sentry
at the door, and through the anteroom
into the library. The instant his eyes
rested on Dunn BILE he came near explod-
ing with Indignation.
'.Mr. President, he yelled to Bar
rios, "that-that scoundrel ~
"Silence, sir!' interrupted the presi-
dent. 'Do not speak in that style of
Sir John Roscoe, the British envoy ex-
traordinary ~
But Mr.. President" responded the
intruder, II am Sir John Roscoe. and
that fellow there is u id Yankee
bumming around in my court suit"
Gentlemen !" cried Dumble, "allow
me to explain 50 90
'.Mr. President. l must be heard"
haughtily said Sir John. II arrived
late last night and stopped at the Hotel
Bolivar. This morning l found that
my court dress had been stolen.
was informed that this Yankee occupied
the chamber next to my dressing room,
and the fact that he was missing excited
my suspicion. Now find him here in
the presidents palace unblushingly
wearing my costume. Am not war;
ranted in demanding his arrestP"
Barrios turned toward the crest
failed Dumblc. His face was black
with wrath, and he was about to say
something severe when his private
secretary rushed in.
"Mr. President" he gasped. "and
you, gentlemen. / am just in time. 1
hope. with an explanation that will re-
lieve all of us. The landlord of the
Hotel Bolivcr informs me that this
gentleman, Mr.. Dumble, was robbed of
his garments last night. Waking early
this morning he disappeared with a
suit belonging to Sir John Roscoe. Two
or three hours later one of the servants
who had been arrested on another
charge confessed that he robbed Mr..
Dumble. The landlord took the liberty
of reading the documents left with him
by the American stranger, and learned
from them that he was Il gentleman of
irreproachable character representing
Boston firm. favorably known in
Guatemala. He at once made up his
mind that Mr.. Dumble had borrowed
Sir Johns clothes with the intention of
pursuing the thief, and knowing that
he was stranger, not acquainted with
our city and the customs of the country
lie feared-but / see, Mr.. President,
that you and the other gentlemen begin
to understand it. A word from Mr..
Dumble-''
The president was smiling. and Sir
John showed a strong inclination to
laugh.
What you have HEARD" said Mr..
Dumble. with flush face. sis all true.
1 wanted something to wear. you know.
1t was very early, and could not stir
up anybody at the hotel found some
clothes in an open room, and thought
that could wear them out in town for
an hour or so. and by that time see my
landlord, and get everything straight
ened out. But 1 lost my way and was
brought here. and | gotso bothered and
tangled up that l didn't know how to
get out of the muddle. l am certainly
very sorry"
"Ha hs p' laughed the Englishman.
'it is good joke. My dear sir. don't
say another word" and he shook
hands cordially with the embarrassed
American.
II am afraid. Sir john" remarked
the president. shaking with mirth.
that your views upon the bond ques-
finn will mt be 40 1;hara1 90 thoaa of