The Press., 1892-01-07
Richard Green 5 Escape.

z||azll :" "Pdrdon me. sir," Rsch0rd sGtd Q Mv,
 JoOsten.
 1t occurred to Richard Green one day some years ago that the life in New York which he had led since he had come to self supporting and self re- liant ago, was. likely to be only hum drum and commonplace one. and he forthwith determined with . somewhat reckless disregard of the cost to seek ad- venture afield, and he had travelled pretty much all over the world, making his way as best he could and moving on from place to place. He had. being in Australia and no more at peace with himself there than he had been at home, shipped before the mast upon a vessel bound for the Sandwich islands and vsri- ous ports and San Francisco; but, un- fortunately, the mate of the ship did not share the appreciation Richasd Green had for himself, and he found so great a pleasure in maltreating Green that the latter, ever ready to escape the it's he knew of. promptly deserted upon thedE arrival at Honolulu. being able to take with him none of his belongings. and in 8 day or two Green, who had kept sharp but surreptitious watch upon the ship ping in the hafbor. saw his good vessel sail away into the ocean and for home.
 Richard then was happy; but he was in bad way. He was among strangers, without clothing and almost without money. He thought he could find em- ployment on sozna other ship; but to hia dismay he found none going the way hs wanted to go. and he was willful and determined in thisaas in other matters, and he would not go where he might. He was unwilling to seek help of the American consul. and was not sure, in. deed, that he had 8 right to ask 1t: but he boldly took a room far beyond his means at the best hotel In she city and with characteristic boldness and nerve sought occupation which would enable him to live until some opportunity to gel away. should offer itself. Work, how. ever. he could not hnd, and how soon he might be turned awsy from the hotel hs did not know.
 At length one morning when he had become almost desperate there arrived at the hotel singular looking man. He was tall and very stout, very red of face, with gray hair and ahsarty good natured way about him in spite of an air of gen eral weakness. He looked like 8 man who would be easily crushed. or who would quickly retreat before the on slaught of any enemy Hewas closhed simply but coolly in . suik all Of linen, and he had upon his head \ broad brimmed hat of soft felt.
 The clerk of the hotel plainly knew him, for he received him with great show of deference A person of quality. Rich ard thought.
 .Well. Mr. goosten. the clerk eske1, 2 how are mal g gll glle lslandl a'
 .'Oh, troublesone. MT. Joosten an swered. .ss troublesome. as he leaned heavily on the counter and slowly mopped his head with an enormous 
 .sSo things are not going easily, Mr. Joosten2 What Is the matter2 Mrs. Joosten"
 '.She is not troublesome, but other things, they are all very troublesome, MT. Joosten replied very slowly and somewhat ponderously. Richard Green drew closer to the two. There was something about the man which inter- ested him. Mir. Joosten's English was good. but Green thought he could de tect peculiar foreign accent which was not unpleasant. ssshall send you to your room?' the clerk asked.
 "No; l have no time. k would be troublesome must be about my busi- ness. There is need"
 Supplies again, sirY
 "No, 8 man. l have had to dismiss, discharge my superintendent. It isvery troublesome, this plantation. very." he went on helplessly.
 Richard pricked up his ears. Here might be the very opening he had been seeking.
 . '.''oh,g the clerk responded, apparently sympathizing deeply with Mr. Joosten, "l thought your superintendent was so good one."
 'He was. he was. answered Mr. Joosten almost with sigh. "He was the best l ever had. Oh. but he was : good man. good man. veryi But he did steal Phewi do not know how much-a great deal. great deal Hs was very clever"
 Do you know where to find . man who will dor
 .ssNo. but shall find him | must seek him carefully. carefully. It is very troublesome. ali of this, all.
 Pardon me. sir.r . Richard said to MT, Joosten: and then, turning quickly to the clerk, he added; wont you be good enough to introduce me to this gentle. manY
 Certainly. the clerk replied. and he did.
 'sMr. Green" the clerk continued. ..is an American left here by accident"
 .sSo you are an American-yes? MT. Joosten said musingly. and he looked Richard over carefully.
 .'1 could not fail to overhear your con. versation," Richard answered, . little embarrassed by Mir. Joosten's close scrutiny; perhaps perhaps. can do the work you want done"
 sSos It may be. but it is not easy.s
 And Mir. Joosten walked slowly away. Then he turned again to Richard: "We shall see-fta amay be. Good morning. ! 1Mr. Joosteh walked slowly toward the the door. As he neared it he turned again and looked fnrtively but sharply at Green. Richard was depressed.
 Do not De disappointed. the clerk said to him. .sHe has gone away to think only. He may come back and want you to 20 with him today.
 Although Green hardly dared to hope that the clerk might be right, he did not go ont as usual that morning, and Q little before noon he was gratified to see tf~ a<~12 \