The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1890-05-21

tinuei, piteously.
Mr.. Binus thought that Tom was off his
head. but his impressive face betr yed no
Eurprse
Certainly, sir. Any other message2"
"No. that will do and. Binns, come
back here vt once; want you to do some
thing else.
-Yessir."
The message caused some little sur
prise and much sympathy.
Poor fellowi" said Miss Alice: lit all
comes from working so hard in those
terrible slums, and never taking a holi-
day."
When Binns returned. Tom asked him
in the same agitatei whisper:
Did YOU notice a tall, thin gentleman
"a clergyman standing beside the drag
just now"
-Yessir."
DO you see him now?"
-Yessir, said Binns, almost whispering,
-he's n-standing close here.
Good graciousl" murmured Tom.
Look here! come and tell when he's
gone"
And Tom pulled up the other wooden
blind half way and covered on the floor
among the cushions and dust cloaks. 1t
was terribly hot and stuffy, but he dared
not move until Binns returned, and that
persouage was absent for no less than
half an hour by Toms watch. The cap
tive was growing desperate, when at last
a welcome face appeared 1t the window
above the blind.
MIR. Baxter, sir, whispered Binns.
the clerical gent, sir; he's on the roof
of our drug"
You don't say so!" groaned Tom.
he is indeed, sir. He and master
seem very thick; they're talking over old
Cambridge times. l never waited on him
before, sir.
~Of course" said the curate in despair
Il see il now. Old Septimus was at Cam
bridge, SO was Heathcote. They are old
friends. How in the name OF providence
am / to get out of this? / say, Binns,
do you know / must stop here until he
goes. You will keep it dark-now won't
your"
Most certainly, sir" ssid the svm-
pathetic butler. Won't you have some
lunch, sir? Nobody will know"
Tom smiled in his misery at the idea.
After ALL why shouldn't he?
We'll, Binns, really think l will.
And the trusty servitor disappeared TO
return with huge plateful of cold pie,
bottle of champagne, and some straw
berries.
Thank We, Binns," said Tom, CRATE
fully; nov go away and don't come back
till the clergyman has gone. Whew!
Now hot il isl"
1t was hot and no mistake. On a
scoi ching day the interior of drag. with
the win ows shut, is about as agreeable
n resting place as the Black Hole. Tom
could not let the blinds down, so he drank
n tumbler of iced champagne, which IN de
him much warmer than bt fore, though 1t
inspired him to smile at his position.
His stiff collar was growing limp, and his
heavy LACK garments begun 10 grow in
supporable.
Wonder if l dare to take my coat Off"
he asked himself. The mental answer
was Yes, and he proceeded to 30 SO.
Then he felt better, finished the plate OF
pie, and had another lumber of cham
paine. Il feel halt inclined to 90 ont
and face him, reflected Tom, but his
heart failed him. He piled the dust
cloaks. coats, and umbrellas IN one cor
ner and tried to make him self comforta-
BILE. Presently, however, the match Was
resume d, and then his Ieal' suffering be-
gan. Tom had never endured such tor
ture. Loud applause frequently broke
upon his ears; shouts of We'll hut"
We bowledl" We'll caught" aud
sometimes, more maddening even than
these sounds, there was deep hush of
suspense in the noisy crowd or distinct
ly audible sigh of RELIEF, which told his
practiced ears that some exciting crisis OF
the game had come or gone.
He vainly peered over the half-drawn
blind to catch 81 mpse Of tbe players. He
could, however, see nothing hut forest
OF black hats and varieg4led sunshades.
Binns returned not; Tom dared not quit
his hiding place, and despair once more
possessed his soul Suppose I'm here
Tor the afternoon. Holy Moses, how APP
palling hot 1t is" Heat il apt to relax
the propriety even of a curate's language.
Wish 1 red to take some more OF my
clothes on" And then his eve fell on the
champagne bottle, which was nearly aalf
full. We'll, 1 can have ano, her drink at
all events" Aud again his troubles
seemed less. He stretched himself out as
we'll rs he could. for he was q big man
and the space was small, and by degrees
ne flushed the bottle. IF only had
weed, he reflected: haven't smoked for
months. it seems yesrs. And growing
bold ~, en- TO reckleSsness he hunted in
the pockets of the other mems overcoats
till he found cig.r-case. When he bad
lit cigar he felt comparatively I ease
1t was very hot, he thou INT, but peace
full feeling stole over h IN; the hum of the
crowd grew fainter and fainter; the shouts
of nppl use more distant; even the ham,
merlng Of sticks and umbrellas on the
drag Eithin six inches of his he id ceased,
TO annoy him He pulled at his cigar
less theoretically. Soon it fell from his
lips aud the Rev. Thomas Baxter slept as
peacefully as n child.
He was awakened by n rough shake
and a shout in his ear Of Hi, wake upl"
Returninl TO semi-consc iousness he IN
distinctly hear ordinations or Shame
full" "Disgustingl' who would have
thought it'" And then frmlli,r voice
said in somewhat quavering accents: