The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1893-08-31

girl as house maid. The latter two
were practically invisible, the man
servant was always present but mar
velously unobtrusive.
He is a Greek, whose life [ once
saved, explained Uncle Jacob. He
was slave to Turk in Smyrna,
when [ first made his acquaintance,
and was more avaricious than revenge
ful, and bought him. l have heard
that he is devoted to me and | have
no doubt he will stay with me as long
as [ treat him well.
Frank soon discovered that his office
was indeed no sinecure. The front
room on the second story was con
verted into an office and there the
young man for the first time knew
the luxury of work Mr. Rawley's in
vestments were scattered to the four
quarters of the globe, and in tangled
condition which necessitated much
research and considerable correspond
ence. 1t soon became pleasure for
the secretary to see this snarl straight
en- out under his management, and it
was with a feeling of pride each day
that he arose from his desk and took
his after dinner walk. This meal was
taken invariably in company with his
uncle, the Greek being the attendant.
Breakfast and supper Frank general
ly ate alone, but dinner was some
what of a state affair, displayed on a
table large enough for twenty, the
uncle and nephew occupying oppo-
site ends. The appointments were
exquisite, the menu perfect, yet the
meal was rarely thoroughly enjoyable.
Mr.. Rawley ate but sparingly, and
then of the simplest viands, and had
frequent spells Of moody silence. Yet
at times he talked brilliantly on an
amazing variety Of topics not found
in books. From every nook andi cor
ner Of the world he had excavated
the manner and costumes which he
retailed, garnished with cynicism. In
this mood Frank enjoyed his company
hugely. Since his downfall he had
lost much Of his former careless con,
tidence and liked to hear people
abused.
Indeed he had almost totally sever
ed his connection with his past life,
which he found to be an easy task.
At first he frequently met his &C
quaintances and had invitations to
carouse, but as he steadfastly refused,
they soon ceased to be cordial and
finally passed him with nod.
Furthermore his daily walks inclined
more and more from fashionable or
l,rCr frnl flnrp,, f,rn,- 10 ~
streets and even into the adjacent
country where the grass grew and
the birds chirped. AS for the theaters
and kindred places of amusement,
the desire SCENE d to have completely
left him.
Thus matters stood one day when
Grosvenor sat at dinner with his uncle
The entire day had been wet and
cheerless, and as the time was late in
the fall. the curtains had been drawn
and the crystal chandelier, pendant
over the center Of the table. was light
ed before the soup came on.
Uncle Jacob, IN singular contrast
with the weather, was more than US
ually sparkling. After few courte-
Gus Interruptions Frank was content
to listen to the stream Of comment,
criticism and cynicism that flowed
from the old mans lips. The dash
of rain on the window panes played
the chorus to the comedy and as
the young man slipped his coffee and
smoked his cigar at the close of the
meal, he enjoyed the situation to
the utmost.
/ Then, as he leaned backwards in his
chair, he became conscious of dark
shadow in the air above his head, ard
the next instant he had leaped to the
side of the room with an exclamation
! Of dismay
"Wellr' said Uncle Jacob, compos-
edly.
What is it?" asked Frank
What does it look ike?" was the
reioinder.
1T looks" said the young man,
with closer scrutiny, ''like an iron
weight, suspended by chain"
$50 1t IS" assented the old man,
taking a bunch of grapes. 1T is OF
iron and weighs exactly 1000 pounds
Come with me and l will show you
how it is suspended"
With a mixture of astonishment
and anxiety Frank followed his uncle
to the upper floor and was shown in.
to a room which was bare. with the
exception of curious machine oi
brass and iron which rested in the
center of the floor
This room," explained Mr.. Rawley
rs directly over the dining room
and this machine is piece of clock.
work of my own design. You vii
observe that there is a small but very
strong steel chain wound on this