Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1889-12-05
A LITERARY SCHEME.
BY DWIGHT BALDWIN.

v WO men were seated
Ss5AJ together in a Partisan
,m7Mfhy (" cafe.
EM/lEIT 1t was past midday,
VfIYlI&IN yet the remnants OF
'hD2IlHE, dishes upon the table
IN IA B(aS before them attested
Mzey that the meal they had
PNG been discussing was
G-y their breakfast.
One, handsome man
with decidedly intellectual face, was
engrossed in the columns of literary
journal.
The other was rolling cigarette and
watching his companion with ill-con-
cealed impatience.
"What do you see in the stuff you
call literature, Tremaine?" asked the
latter, at length, yawning YEARLY.
EVERYTHING, friend Ste. Marie. 1t
pleases the fancy, refnes the taste,
broadens the understanding"
"But fills neither the pocket nor the
stomach Look you, noE For the six
months and more that we've been pals
Il beg your pardon, friends-I alone
have contributed to the exchequer."
"That's true"
"Pve picked pockets, broken into
houses, robbed shop-keepers, forged
checks, cheated at cards, done every
thing short of murder, in fact; while
you-"
while I've been planning something
respectable. 1 could never bring my
self to engage in anything so low and
vulgar as stealing"
"But you profit by it." growled Ste.
Marie.
"Yes, to my shame. This wine,
though of a GOOD old vintage, tastes
like vinegar, when 1 remember that it's
to be paid for from the hard earnings
of the old concierge you garroted last
night"
Tremaine shrugged his shoulders and
pursed up his lips, but at the same
time reflled his glass.
81 have two thousand francs" the
other snapped out. "One of the great
fortunes of which you talk so much
must materialize by the time it's spent
or we dissolve partnership
agreed! I've just struck the right
schemep
"No?"
"It's good for million, only"
3Only what?"
"It's literary and"
IL don't care if it's religious, so that
it brings money! Out with it"
"It's right here-that is, the germ is.
Listen" And in well-modulated,
cultivated voice, Tremaine read the fol
lowing paragraph:
M. Fortunat, the ex-banker, has
turned Socialist Instead of distribut
ing his vast fortune among his fellows
however, he has written book ex
pounding the subject. 1t will soon bt
issued from the press of Barreau
Say. M. Fortunat is writer of NJ
mean ability and treat may be an
ticipated'"
"How will you accomplish it? asked
Ste. Marie.
"What ?"
Secure one of the millions he ough
by rights to give away?"
"Not at all.
Nonsense! Your literary scheme il
too deep for me-.
Il know that, and won't trouble you
with the details. Follow my instruc.
tions, intrust me with the spending Of
your hundred napoleons, and well
both be rich before the racing season
opens"
That evening Jean Ste. Marie, dis
guised as a porter, was drinking win,
in little shop opposite the tall build
ing occupied by Messrs. Barreau & Sa,
as publishing house.
Just at dusk he saw the numerous
employees of the vast establishment
pour into the street.
Soon the wine-shop was thronged
with them.
The disguised Ste. Marie listened to
their conversation, and, selecting one
whom he understood to be employed
in the bindery, called him aside.
Fair speech and bottle of good
wine set the artisan talking, and the
false porter soon learned that the book