The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1888-12-22
CHAPTER w.

chamber, Il and papa have been talking
about you"
Yves, mamma" said Lucy, with an evi
dent want Of interest in the subject.
And what do you think no saysr
Don't know, mamma"
Hes going to mako some alterations in
the bank"
"Oh, indeedl-
Miss Lucy had not tho smallest solicitudc
about the bank.
And what else do you thinkr
"Oh, mamma, am so tired" said Lucy
peevishly.
What else do you think no means to dor
continued Mrs. Dawbarn, bending her ma
tronly head over her daughters face, and
pouring into her ear words that made the
girl flush scarlet and her eyes flash.
"Oh, mamma, it can't be true"
MY love, could deceive your
mo, dear mamma, no; but OH is it truel
Kiss me, mamma dear. ! am so happy and
SO thankful, and-and in little time, when
I've thought over how happy am, papa
may come in. and III kiss him and thank
him. and tell him how grateful l am too,
and"--
But poor Lucy could get no further, and
sobbed and wept with delight.
"My darling, kiss me now, said her father
advancing from the door, behind which he
had watched tho effect Of the news IN do
anything to make you happy-anything."
30 papal my own papaT
my darling, you'll love me now again az
you used to do, won't your and-and-there's
Mr.. Bob Studden's knock. III send that fel-
low of to New York; mean to Liverpool,
this very night"
Mr.. Bob Sudden was waiting in the dining
room. Ho was so changed in face, dress, APP
pearance and manner that when Mr. Daw-
barn saw him he started and said:
Are you Mr.. Robert Student
Eyes, Mr.. Dawbarn, it's me-" said the ia
miliar voice. Il dare say you find me
changed. l do myself"
He was indeed altered. In place Of the
spick, span. new, nattv, dressy, shiny, oily,
vanished Bob, the delight of barmaids and
the envy Of gSooms, stood a shabby, cordu-
roy trousered, waistcoatless vagabond, smell
ing Of straw and porter Mr.. Dawbarn hest
tated before he asked him to sit down.
81 got your letter, sir" said Bob, whose
manner was as deferential rs his clothes were
shabby, land came on Immediately. Sorry
couldn't present myself more decently; but
such is fate"
What are you doing now, Mr. Studdenr ~
asked the banker.
"At present, sir, replied Bob, ~ am stable
man at the Cock and Bottle"
Good graciousr
Its not what l could wish, sir, but it's
better than nothing. I'm sorry to say I'm
only employed there two days q week Mon
days and market days. but still, what with
odd jobs, manage to grub on"
Mr. Dawbarn looked at the ex-betting
mans wan face and wistful eyes, and asked
him If he would take glass of wine.
Bob shot quick glance, and said that he
would; and in the keen look Mr. Dawbarn
read hunger.
1.-THE sherry" said tho banker to servant,
land bring lunch-some cold roast beef
and-you know; and when we've lunched,
Mr.. Sudden, we'll talk business"
Mr.. Studden's performance upon the beef
was SO extraordinary that the banker feared
that he would commit involuntary suicide.
1t was with feeling Of intense relief that he
saw him attack the cheese; but the attack
was so prolonged that Mr. Dawbarn feared
lest the sufrocation the beef had left unac-
complished should be effected by tho Stilton.
mot any more, sir, thank YOU" answered
Bob to his hosts complimentary question.
II never tasted such cheess-snd al for the
beef, it's beautiful haven't tasted animal
food for these ten days For rcd herring is
not animal food any moro than a lump Of
salt is, and I'm sick of red hsrrings. Soak
em in as much hot wstor as you like, they
always taste OF lucifers; perhaps because they
lie next to 'em in the shop. may thank you,
Mr.. Dawbarn, for q real meal such as
haven't had for-for'-
The wine Mr. Sudden had drunk seemed
to have got into his head, and from his head
into his eyes. Men are strange creatures
and even betting men are men-and whether
it was tho memory Of bygone days, or the
wine, or the bread, or the butter, or the beef,
or the cheese that affected him, cannot be
ascertained but ono Of these causes, or some
Of them, or all, caused Bob Sudden to lay
his head upon his arms, and to cry copiously.
He then began accusing himself, and say
ing that he was bad lot; that he was mis-
cradle and repented; that his life was
an hourly curse to him; that he knew
he had brought 1t all upon him
self; that all his friends had de-
serted him, particularly those who had shared
his hospitality, and oven his money. when he
was prosperous; that the man who owed his
rise in life to him, and whom he had assisted
at crisis. had behaved to him with an in
gratitude that stung him to tho soul that no
was half starved and had no bed but in the
stable; that he was Observation-Disclosures had
no hope
When tho poor, broken down gamester had
exhausted himself, the banker began. He
told him that he 1.-THE banker) had been ad-
vised to offer him (Studden) employment
because he knew him to be intelligent, and
hoped that his past suffsrings had been q
warning to him for the future; that the bust
ness he wished to employ him on was diff
cult and delicate, being no less than to 60 to
New York and from there to wherever else
1t might DO necessary to travel, in search
Of Mr.. Munro; that money would be pro-
vided and letters furnished him, and that
he was required to start for Liverpool that
very night; that it was hoped he would not
lightly give up chance that offered him re-
demption for the past and fine prospect tor
the future.
an do It'll I'll do It'll" said Bob, rising and
crasping tho bankers hand; land God bless
you, Mr.. Dawbarn, for giving poor outcast
devil like me the chance Ill not deceive
you, sir, if do"-
sIIJucb hush Mr. Studdan