The Worthington advance., 1894-10-25

slowly turned himself around until he
was facing North. "Dennis O'Reilly?"
he repeated in the strongly disparaging
tone by which people frequently at
tempt to justify the ignorance that
they are compelled to confess. "Never
heard of him before!'
'Ah, not very prominent citizen,
then? I fear l shall have great diff
Guilty in finding him. Who would be
likely to know something about him?
Can you suggest anyone at alp"
The boy shook his head as if giving it
up at the outset, but nevertheless re-
hecting seriously for moment. Glanc-
ing idly into the street, he saw gentle
man standing on the opposite corner.
Instantly the youths countenance
lightened up with that peculiar illum-
ination which is the unmistakable indi-
cation Of new idea.
''There's Mr.. Wymer, over there on
the corner" he said, with a nod toward
the gentleman. ASK him. He's a
ward politician, and he knows all such
people. He's better'n directly, Mr..
Wymer is. If anyone can tell you, he
can"
Such an opportunity was not to be lost.
With thanks for the suggestion North
left the store and hurried across the
street.
A gentleman, richly dressed in black
broadcloth, with glossy silk hat and a
dazzling gold watch chain, was leaning
against the corner lamp post, gazing
about him with an air of supreme salts
faction. It required only practiced
glance to discover the cause of this
complacency. a..
/, "A ward politician! He looks like it"
thought North; then lifting his hat he
addressed the gentleman: -.
ssMr. Wymer, I believer" III
ssBlessed If tain't!' was the graceful
response, as Mr.. Wymer turned his
smiling gaze upon North without
changing his attitude in the least.
''Jack Wymer, Esq, worl<in'man's
friend; here's er ticket for you, gentle
men. Pratt for may'r, Brown for treas
urer, Wymer, Jack Wymer-hooray!
that's me-for city 'torney! What's
matter with Wymer!'
'Ah, indeed!'' rejoined North, with
an air of interest. 'City attorney So
you aspire to that office? Do you think
you'll get it?'' .
''Get it? Dye mean to shay ! won't
get it? Come on, now, and back it up
if you dare!" cried Mr.. Wymer, sudden
~ assuming a pugilistic attitude; then,
as this brief paroxysm OF resentment
passed off and his overpowering good
humor returned, he subsidized into his
former attitude Of repose and lnqulred
stupidity but amiably: Get what?"
North did not wish to pursue the sub
ject, 50 he merely responded in al
equally stupid and amiable way: |''Ah'
yes, very true, Mr.. Wymer," which the
latter, in his sadly befogged state OF
mind, looked upon as not only very
elegant, comprehensive and satlsfac-
tory, but likewise a genial and friendly
style of rejoinder, and peace was i'm
mediately reesta ablished.
''It is useless to ask him any ques-
tions," thought North, despairingly.
IF Dennis O'Reilly were his own
brother he would scarcely know it in
his present condition, so might as well
pass on. 1t is fortunate thing that he
doesn't know me!'
With this self-congratulation he had
turned away when he was electrified
by hearing his name pronounced by
Mr.. Wymer in tones loud enough to at
tract general attention. .. '.,-
''North! 1 shay, North, hold on!
Lemme speak to you-tic'lar bish-
nush!" .....
North paused irresolutely and looked
back at Wvmer; then, deciding to pay
no attention to the man, he turned
away again and started down the
street at slightly accelerated pace.
! Instantly Mr.. Wymer, without stir
ring from his careless, lounging atti-
tude, raised his voice higher and called
more vociferously: 4.s,. .
Il shay! Hooray there, North, dye
hear? Lemme speak t you just minute
-tic'lar bishnush, North dye hear?'
North heard, and so did everyone else.
Gentlemen in the surrounding business
places lounged up to the doors and win
dows and looked smilingly out; passers-
bv turned their heads curiously to see
what was going on; small boys walked
backward very nearly off the curb
stone in their anxiety to witness the
finale; and, to add to Ncrth's discom-
fiture, everyone whose eye he met as he
retraced his steps nodded in familiar,
friendly way. ......
Wymer watched his return with a
smile of stupid satisfaction.
Now, Wymer," said North, as he
stepped up close to his tormentor, '1et
me warn you not to waste any words.
If you have anything to say to me say
it at once, in the shortest possible time.
Do you hear?'' s..,
"North, are you my friend?''. in
quired Mr.. Wymer, in reproachful
tones, as he regarded North with blink
ing eyes
North's first impulse was to respond