Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-17

but which on his death came TO Annie,
Annie, then, was an heiress in a small
way. Annie's father. old Day, lived in (
little house in Hoxton. Five years ago
walked past it when was looking for fresf
lodgings. 1t seemed very neat and clean
and in the window was a card, Lodgings
for respectable single man." 1 am &
single man, said 1, the place will suit me
Just suit me. l knocked, the door wa
opened. Annie appeared; 1 asked to SET
the lodgings. Instead of showing them tC
me she said: "You can see father" saw
father. Old Day was sitting by the fire
his legs wrapped up in rug.
GOOD day." says he.
Morning." saws 1, and began asking
about his lodgings. But he never answered
me one word.
care you respectable ?"
"Of course L am" saysI.
''Whst are you ?''
"AD officer" says 1.
"Sherif7s oficer?" with a grin. "Won't
do, says he.
mo, police" said I, indignant-like.
'That's better. But" said he, with a sort
of reckon-you-up look, show about respecta-
bility, thought"
'TYou can ask my inspector, said I; "he's
in of a morning till noon"
won't dot isn't good enough"
''Good morning." says 1, getting up, and
feeling very riled with the old fellow.
''Sit still mean it isn't good enough for
me; can't 90 to him. I'm only half a
man; nv lower half wrong. Can YOU do for
yourself, Policeman" said the old man
mo objection to, said 1; and after some
ten minutes talking it was arranged that I
was to see the rooms, and if liked them l
could have them very cheap; all he wanted
was protection for himself and his daughter.
"I can't stand women" +" SAID he, land you
can take the girl out bit now and then"
opened my eyes, but the old man meant
no harm; 1 was a policeman, that was
enough for him, and he didn't consider that
policemen have hearts. We settled it. 1
saw the rooms, my inspector was to call
round and speak for me- He cid call
and he satisfied old Day. l went TO live at
Hoxton- 1 did as he suggested. took the
girl out now and then. Twas a steady man,
she was steady girl; no harm came of it
why should there? But we fell in love. I
spoke to the old man.
Jim" ." said be, ''it can't be done You'r
but a common policeman, my girl will have
some money, and it can't be, jim"
This was the first I'd heard OF money. I
pleaded; ali no use. Annie pleaded: all no
use. Next day the old man called me into
his parlor; there he sat all day, like an old
toad in q tree; he never moved-he couldn't,
poor old chapl
''Sit down, +" says he. "Jim, I've thought
ii over" and then he told me of the thou
sand pounds. "Now," SAYS he, 'Tm a
cripple, Jim, and can part with my girl.
and she won't get the money till Pm dead.
There is one way; stay on where you are,
Jim, 60 on as you are, and when you we
earned e500, why, take my girl; stay on
here with me, and when I'm gone she
shall have the money-eI, ,OO0 It's a fair
offer, Jim; what do you sav?"
What could l say? l was worth some
thing under ESQ at that time; how could 1
earn $500?
"It's to take or to leave, said old Day.
81 agree, said L Not that I had any
idea I should ever get $500 together, but I
didn't like to leave Annie.
"You won't mention it TO Annie, Jim?'
'fNot /, +" said l.
He slapped his hand into mine. and he lit
his pipe; he never said another word on the
subject again. Things went on as they had
done. 1 used to see Annie about, and take
nv walks with her, and used TO read the
paper of an evening to the old man, Just as
usual He always used to make me begin
with the agony column.
One night 1 sat prepared to commence
reading to him.
Anything in my way?" said he. He
meant the agonies.
Nothing, said I.
Anything in your way, Jim?" BE
meant the rewards for lost property. Grim
inals, and such like.
''Only Sigismund Hannay," said 1.
'Who's hep" said old Day.
Now I hadn't read the continual adyer-
tisements about Sigismund Hannav to him,
for when a big reward was offered he would
put down his pipe with an irritating way
he had, and grinning at me say
That's nice little sum, Jim Dryland,
why don't YOU earn it?''
began, Five hundred pounds reward"
''Thst's the exact sum, Jim Dryland,"
says he; ''why don't you earn it?''
1 didn't answer him, was too much dis
gusted. / read the advertisement No
need to read it, 1 knew it by heart. 1 know
it by heart low. This is what it was:-
FIVE HUNDRED POUNDS REWARD.
WANTED, Sigismund Hannav. who has
absconded, taking with him the following
securities" (here followed long list of
bonds that the criminal had taken with
him. "a percentage will be paid in addi-
fion upon all the securities recovered.
"Sigismund Hannay, native of Saxony.
is 5 ieet 10 inches high, stoops little, speaks
English luentiy, with a slight German ac-
cent; when much excited his right evelid
drOOps slightly. Had on when last seen
shepherds plaid trousers, a cutaEay
coat ana vest of black diagonal
cloth, plain gold shirt studs.
a tall hat with a black mourning band,
Edwards maker; brown merino socks, and
light Oxonian shoes. he has curly chest
nut hair, blue eyes, slight mussache and
beard same color; is of pleasing personal
appearance and manners. All communica-
hons to Inspector Roberts. Scotland Yard
Read 1t again, jim" p"
read it again; old Day never said one
word. 1 read the paper through to him.
good night, he said:
Read it again, jim
Read what?" said 1.
About him, " said the OLD man.
knew very well what he meant "If 1
were young map, Jim DrylAnd; if had
my sweetheart's happiness and nv own
happiness depending on it, I'd find Sigis-
mund Hannay, leastways I'd try to- That's
what be meant.
de wished me good night, just as he
always did. Annie shook hands; l Just
squeezed hers.
And went to bed, to dream, as 1 had
dreamt for some time, of Sigismund Han |
nay the native of Saxony, five feet ten !
inches high, etc. I had been to Scotland |
Yard, and 1 had seen Inspector Roberts. |
he told me it was a city case. not in NV |
way at all. I was mostly concerned in