Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1890-04-19

3H1
Dunng tnn nerce wrestle-which must
have lasted about two minutes-the clatter
and shouting Of the company above had gone
on without break, and all this while the
mAn with the white hair had rested quietly
ON one dde, watching. But now he steps up
to where the bully stood hopping his facs
0or all the coolneas of the EVENING", and, with
finger between the leaves Of his book, bows
very politely.
"You handled that dog, cir, choicely WE'LL"
aays he, In o thin voice that seemed TO have
chuckIo hidden in II somewhere.
Tho other ceased mopping to get good
look at him
"But sure" he went on, "twas hard on
the poor cur, that had never heard Of Capt
Lucius Higgs"-
thought the bully would have had him by
the windpipe and pitched him after the mas
TIL, 90 flercsly he turned at the sound Of this
name But the old gentleman skipped back
quite ninbly and held up finger.
"rm a man Of peace. II another title
suits you better"-
"Where the devil got you that na,neI'
growled the bully, and had half mind to
come on again, but the other put In briskly:
''Im on plain errand Of business. No need,
as you hint, to mention names; and there
fore let me present myself a. Mr.. 2. The
residue Of the alphabet Is at your service to
pick and choose from"
.My name Is Luke Settle,n said the big
man hoarsely Out whether this was his nat
ural voice or no, could not telD.
"Iet us say 'Mr. x prefer It,"
The old gentleman as he said this popped
his head on one side laid the forefinger Of his
right hand across the book, and seemed to be
considering.
"why did you throttle that dog minute
agoi' he asked, sharply.
"Why, to save my skim" answers the fel-
low, bit puzzled.
"Would you have done 1t for fifty poundsF'
SAY, or half that"
Sand how If it had been q puppy, Mr. xr'
Now all this from my hiding l had heard
very clearly, for they stood right under me in
the dusk. But as the old gentleman paused
to let his question sink in, and the bully to
catch the drift Of it before answering, one Of
the dicers above struck up to sing a catch:
"wlth hey, trolly lollyi leg to the devil,
And answer him civil, and of with your cap;
Sing-Hey trolly lolly! Good morrow. Sir Evil.
We've finished the tap,
And, saving your worship. we care not rap!"
While this din continued, the stranger held
up one forefnger again, as II beseeching ST.
lence, the other remaining still between the
pages of his book.
"Pretty boys!" he said, as the noise died
away; "pretty boysi 'Tis easily seen they
have bird to pluck"
SHE'S none Of my plucking."
"And il he were, why noti Sure you've
picked feather or two before now in the
low countries-heyT
"Ill tell you what" interrupts the big
fip,o vo,r Crank Of
| deaths head jokes, over the wall you 20 after
the dog. What's to prevent itf"
'Why, this" answers the old fellow, cheer
fully. There's money to be made by doing
no such thing And don't carry it all abou,
with me. So, as tits late, we'd best talk bust
ness at once"
They moved away towards the seat undel
the sycamore, and now their words reached
| me no longer--only the low murmur Of theil
voices or Ito be correc0 Of the elder mans
for the other only spoke now and then, Il
put question, as 1t seemed. Presently
heard an oath raped out, and saw the bully
start up "Hush, mani" cried the other, anc
shark We now;" SO he sat down again. Theil
very forms were lost within the shadow.
myself was cold enough by this time, ant
had cramp in one leg, but lay still, never
theless. And after a while they stood up to
| gether. and came pacing across the bowling
green side by side, the older man trailing hi
foot painfully to keep step. You may b
sure strained my ears.
"Besides the pay" the stranger was say
ing, "there's all you can win Of this younI
fool, Anthony, and all you find on the pair
which I'll wager"-
They passed out of hearing, but turne'
soon and came back again. The big maj
was speaking this time.
"I'll be shot if I know what game your
playing in this"
The elder chuckled softly. "I'll be shot
mean you to-" said he
And this was the last l heard. For no,
there came Gathering at the door behin
me, and Mr.. Robert Drury reeled in, hic
coughing a maudlin ballad about "Tib an
young Colin one fine day, beneath the hay
cock shade-a," etc., ETC., and cursing to fin
his fire gone out and oil in darkness Liquo
was ever his master, and today the king
health had been a fair excuse. He did nc
SPY me, but the roar of his ballad had startle
the two men outside, and so, while he wa
stumbling over chairs and cropping for tin
der box, slipped out in the darkness an
down stairs into the streets.