Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1890-05-15

And what did poor Drane do then?
He went down 10 the East river and
wondered if some condemned fool Of a
hero wouldn't rescue nsm If he should
plunge in and try to be decently
drowned. The men at work thereabouts
didn't look much like heroes. but APP
pearances might be deceptive, and Mr..
Drane gave up the idea. 1t was but a
passing frenzy. His native vigor re-
turned soon and it was reinforced by
the image of Bessie's face that haunted
him constantly. He would seek her if
it took the rest Of his life and cost him
his fortune-when he got possession Of
it again.
During the rest Of the day he wan
dered aimlessly about the docks and in
the quiet streets. His hunger he APP
peased with sandwich, reserving his
balance, eight cents, for another meal
The more he wandered and the more he
thought, the more desperate his situa-
ton seemed; but relief came from the
most unexpected quarter. just as it was
growing dark whom should he meet but
the original tramp. Each made as if to
run at first sight, then they thought
better of it and stood facing each other.
well, said Mr.. Drane.
Well" returned the tramp, you've
done me up nice, haven't you?"
Done you up?" exclaimed Lawrence;
'how about me, you rascal? Have you
read the morning papers?"
Read the papersl Do | look as if
had read the papers? If the papers
were two cents a thousand l couldn't af-
ford to read bulletin board No, I've
just come from the island. Your Kan
sas City friends said | was the wrong
man, and of course they had to let me
60"
Lawrence was on the point of show
ing the tramp the story of the escape
printed in the paper, when perfectly
tremendous idea occurred to him. 1t
was so great that his voice trembled as
he said:
That's good. Now, am willing to
let bygones be bygones am not out
of my scrape yet and between us we
can help each other a good deal. Are
you agreed?'
lyon don't mean TO get me arrested
for taking your clothes, do your
Not a bit! You won't come to harm.
III see you through and give you money
afterwards"
III have to go you, What am to
doq''
Change clothes with mer'
The tramp was staggered at this sug-
gestion, but he consented, though he
vainly tried TO get Lawrence to unfold
the scheme.
THE only trouble is, :" said Lawrence,
II don't know where we can do this"
''Well, do, replied his companion,
and he forthwith led the way to de-
serted rookery where they speedily ex-
changed garments. Mr.. Drane put on
the rags again with some revolt. hut he
was confident in the success OF his
scheme, and that nerved him
When they stepped out again into
the street he asked the tramp where he
had gone whom he first took the clothes
from the Adams Hotel.
oh he said. II played in great
luck, and I'll be all right if you get me
out of this affair with little money in
hand. You see, pranced around town
for the day, and the next day fell in
with an old sweetheart of mine. She
used to live in Buffalo, and she was
poor enough then. but it seems that
some time ago she went through a
mock marriage that afterwards turned
out to be binding
The tramp paused and laughed glee-
fully.
"Yes, yes" exclaimed Mr.. Drane,
eagerly. What them"
'Why. you see, the fellow she married
was laundering rich, and he went off
and got killed just after the ceremony