Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1889-11-27

his folks. No, he had to keep the
name of Sheppard"
"Well, say, I'm not going to scare
your friend away like that. l see he
is leaving by the other end of the gal
lery. Wait a moment till hail him."
"No, no." cried Cooper, "let him go;
that's all right" But before he could
call him back the voluble Bowling
was gone and touched the other on
the shoulder.
"Say, look here, you're not to 60 off
like that, Sheppard, didn't know
when spoke-you know-that your
sister was married to Cooper"
"My sisterl" stammered the young
clergyman.
"Why, yes, Ed has just told me
how it was. l hope you won't think
anything about it. You see Ed and l
are very old friends. We've gone the
rounds together, and so you will ex-
cuse the familiarity of an old friend,
won't you 7"
"Oh, certainly" answered the cler-
gyman, "but l am anxious to get
home. l hope you will excuse me"
."Oh, not at all. Now, look here,
you and Ed were going to have good
time of it tonight and I'm not going
to interrupt you. I'll make one of
three. If there's anybody who knows
Brussels it's Ed Cooper, and if there
is anyone else that knows Brussels it's
your humble servant. Now, clergy
man, of all others, should know what
he is talking about, and it is just as
well for you to see how things are here
as at home, in fact, if you were to see
them at home it might create talk
You know how the newspapers gave
it to Talmage when he went around in
New York city. Now. you are quite
safe with us; nobody will know any
thing about it not even your sister.
| should be the last one to say word
to her about it. You may trust me,
for know lots Of things about Ed
that I'll bet he wouldn't care to have
your sister know" By this time Coop
er came up and caught the last word.
81 say, Bowling, I'll let Mr.. Shep-
hard GO home. Well let him 60 home.
Well go to your hotel and have
talk over things"
Not a bit of it. Mr.. Sheppard will
stay with us, Well get table right
here at the restaurant they have
first rate restaurant here. You re-
member that night after the theater
when We"
Gall right, all right" said Cooper ;
eff you say so, let's get table and
have something to eat"
"And drink also, remember that
That used to be the most important
part of our dinners"
"Just so, just so" said Ed in an ag-
itated way. II don't think, though,
that Mr.. Sheppard would care to en-
JOY it, would you Jack ?"
"No, I'm sure | would not. | shall
get a cab and 60 home"
you will do nothing of the kind"
said Bowling; "you will stay with US.
l like clergymen myself, even if do
not go to church as much as | ought
to. See here, Cooper, word with
you" STEPPING aside he said Lets
get the clergyman to take some wine,
then he'll feel more like making a
night of it. I'll order some cham
pagne, and if he's not used to it we'll
have some fun with him. Oh, we'll
take care of him. That's all right"
Cooper drew himself up indignant
ly and said "Sir, you are no longer
friend of mine. | shall not agree
to any such nefarious scheme"
Bowling whistled and opened his
eyes wide, and remarked: "Since
when have you become so careful of
the clergy 7"
"It's a matter of honor with me,
sir" said Cooper in a deep voice, as
he watched his wife slip away from
the end'of the gallery and take cab.
Then he breathed easier. This cler-
gyman is my friend and | shall not
lead him into anything that he might
have cause 10 regret afterwards"
"Oh, nonsense" said Bowling, "you
are putting that on"
The other laughed for the first time
a free and easy laugh of ol,len times.
"Come, JIM" he said, "Shephard has
escaped us. Let's go to the theater."
Luke Sharp, in Detroit Free Press.