Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-15

lock Holmes, one day in the autumn of last
wear, and found him in deep conversation,
with very stout, florid-faced, elderly gen.
tleman, with fiery red hair.
The portly client pufed out his chest with,
an appearance of some little pride, and
pulled dirty and wrinkled newspaper from
the inside pocket of his great coat.
As he glanced down the advertisements
column, with his head thrust forward and,
the p19er fattened out upon his knee, L
took a good look at the man, and endeav-
ored, after the fashion of my companion, to"
read the indications which might be pre-
sented. by his dress or appearance.
l did not gain very much, however by
nv inspection. Our visitor bore every
mark of being an average commonplace
British tradesman, obese, pompous and
slow. He wore rather baggy gray shepherds
check trousers, q not over clean black frock
coat, unbuttoned in the front, and drab
waistcoat, with heavy brassy Albert chain,
and square pierced bit OF metal dangling
down as an ornament. A frayed top hat
and a faded brown overcoat with a wrinkled
velvet collar lay upon a chair, beside him.
Altogether, look as L would, there was
nothing remarkable about the man save
his blazing red head and the expression of
extreme chagrin and discomfort upon his
features
''Can YOU not find the advertisement, Mr.
Wilson," asked Holmes
eyes, 1 have got it now,' he answered,
with his thick, red finger planted halfway
down the column. "Here it is. This is
what began it all. You just read it for
yourself, sir.
took the paper from him, and read as
follows:
To the Red-Headed League:
On account of the beQuest of the late
Ezekiah Hopkins of Lebanon, Penn, U. S.
A. there is now another vacancy open
which entities a member of the league to a
salary OF "a a week for purely nominal SER
vices All red-headed men who are sound
in body and mind and above the age of 81
years are eligible. Apply in person on Mon
day, at II O'Clock. to Duncan Ross at the
office of the league, Popes court, Fleet
street.
"What on earth does this mean?'' eiacu-
lated, after l had twice read over the ex-
traordinary announcement
Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair,
as was his habit when in high spirits. Then
he said:
every good. Now, Mr.. Wilson,
''Well, it is Just Ihave been telling you,
Mr. Sherlock Holmes" said Jabez Wilson,
mO00lng MS lOrenedu L nave Il sIlldll
pawnbrol1er' business at Coburg square, near
the city. It's not very large affair, and of
late wears it has not done more than just
give me a living. l used to be able to keep
two assistants, but now only keep one; and
would have a job to pay him, but that he
is willing to come for half wages so as to
learn the business"
ssWhat is the name of this obliging
vouth?" asked Sherlock Holmes.
''His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's
not such youth either. -
''He is still with YOU, presume?"
''Ees, sir. He and girl Of IA, who does |
bit Of simple cooking and keeps the place |
clean-that's all have in the house, for l
am widower, and never had any family. |
We live very quietly sir, the three of us; !
and we keep a roof over our heads, and pay |
our debts, five do nothing more.
The first thing that put us out was that |
advertisement. Spaulding, he came down /
into the Office Just this day eight weeks |
with this very paper in his hand, and he !
saws:
% I wish to the Lord, Mr.. Wilson, that
I was red-headed man.
Why that?' I asks
q 'NNhv.' saws he, heres another vacancy |
.on the League of the Red-Headed Men. It's |
worth quite a little fortune to any man who /
gets il. my hair would only change |
GDloT. LltTt Il IlitG lltblG u III 1OI
TO step into
WHY, what is it, then?' 1 asked.
Have you never heard of the League of |
Red-Headed Nen?' he asked, with his eyes
open why, L wonder at that, for you are
eligible yourself for one of the vacancies
"'And what are they worth?' | asked.
"'Oh, merely couple of hundred year,
hut the work is slight and i need not inter-
fere very much with ones other occupa-
ton
''Well, you can easily think that that
made no prick up my ears. Tell me all
about it. said |.
"'Well, said he, showing me the adver-
tiseuent, YOU can see for yourself that the |
league has a vacancy, and there is the ad
dress where you should apply for particu-
lars. As far as l can make out the league
was founded by All American millionaire,
Ezekiah Hopkins, who was very peculiar
in his ways. He was himself red-headed, |
and he had great sympathy for all red |
headed men: so. when he died it was found |
that he had left his enormous fortune in the |
hands Of trustees, with instructions to apply |
the interest to the providing of easy berths
to men whose hair is of that color. From |
all hear it is splendid pay, and very little
to do.
''Spaulding seemed to know so much
about it that L thought he might prove use
full so l Just ordered him to put up the
shutters for the day and TO come right away
with me. He was very willing to have
holiday. 50 we smut the business up and !,
started off for the address that was given us
IN the advertisement
'There was nothing in the Office but
couple Of wooden chairs and deal table, |
behind which sat a small man, with head |
that was even rcdder than mine.
"'This is Mr.. Jabez Wilson, said nv as |
sistant, and he is willing TO fill a vacancy |
in the league.
"'And he is admirably suited for it., the |
other answered. He has every require |
ment l cannot recall when l have seen |
anything so fine He took a step back I
ward, cooked his head on one side and gazed |
at my hair until L felt quite bashful Then |
suddenly he plunged forward, wrung nv |
hand, and congratulated me warmly on my \
success.
- 1t would be injustice to wait, said he |
You Will, however, L am sure, excuse me |
for taking an obvious precaution' With !
that he seized nv hair in both his hands,
and tugged until yelled with pain
Ny name, said he, is Mr. Duncan
Ross, and am myself one of the pensioners |
upon the fund left by our noble benetactor.
When shall YOU be able to enter upon your
new duties?'
% We'll, it is a little awkward, for 1 have |
a business already, said |.
'Oh, never mind about that, Mr.. VIII !
son" said Vincent Spaulding. Il shall be
able to look after that for you
g What would be the hours?' asked.