Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1894-11-15

may all get ourselves murdered, so /
propose to raise my courage with a
brandy and soda.
While the waiter obeyed his orders
Hathaway received my $40 and Alec's
500. Then two little paper rolls
were constructed, each ensheathed in a
greenback. These was to carry in ei-
ther inner breast pocket. The season was
June, and the night bland one; hence
Ceither Of us wore an overcoat. When
all was arranged, resumed my argu-
ment about the safety of going unpro-
tected into quarters of the lowest class
es. But / did not tell why there had
lately come upon me this boldness and
security. did not choose openly to
avow that in seeking my poor lost sister
everywhere" l had not neglected
haunts of poverty and sorrow.
Of course it was all a mad kind Of
venture If Bradford and Hathaway
had MOI both been in that devil may
care mood which sometimes comes to
visitors in a great city after dining
rather too we'll, would readily enough
have thrown our whole plan to the
winds But presently we had enteTed a
cab, and in half an hour or so we were
over in the east side of the town, among
streets many of whose names had
scarcely heard. Then we dismissed our
cab and went into horrid fiaring den
of place, with electrics in its windows
and pictures of huge ''schoone-s" from
which the tawny beer prodigally over
foamed.
"Take nothing but seltzer water" I
whispered to Bradford, but he laughing
lyrefused and called for three glasses of
beer.
"Now begin," he rejoined, and in
his twinkling eyes read hints of in
ebriety by no means pleasant.
Come" I said, while we were all
three slipping oar beer in presence of a
great, blond, moon faced barkeeper and
watched by a group of shabby loungers,
sits very plain, Bradford, that this
whole scheme has been idiotic."
"AhaP giggled Alec, you're back
ing out! l thought you would" He
called for three more glasses of beer,
having drank his own, and the bar
keeper, with great alacrity, whisked all
the glasses away and supplied us with
fresh ones.
Hathaway slipped in between Brad
ford and myself. Eyes, Alec" he anx-
iously whispered, Frank is backing
out, and very sersibly. The idea Of
three sane men like ourselves attempt
ing this bravado game of Stiffness in
five different places! We might regret
it all our lives. Come, now, let's go up
town and call the bet off. "
But Bradford tossed his head stub
bornly. He was the best fellow in the
world at ordinary times, but drink,
even in limited supply, had the ugly
trick of demoralizing him.
''Not bit of it," he muttered. "The
bet isn't off at all. Frank Amberley' s
got to begin" Then he loudened his
voice SO it could be heard in every cor
ner Of the big, vulgar gilded tavern.
"How much money, Frank, did you say
you had about you tonight"
"Alec," pleaded Hathaway's low
voice, "look at that gang of rowdies
over there! We'd best all concede that
we've behaved like fools. Do pull your
self together, old fellow, and"-
"How much, Frank?" cried Bradford,
with an obstinate smile and saucy
shoulder shrug.
Something in his tones challenged my
reckless anger. spoke as loudly as he
did and at once began to act out my
prearranged part
Give thousand dollars" I said.
Then from one pocket I drew one roll of
sham bank notes and from another the
second. twenty-five hundred dollars
in each of those little packagesr' Here
l lifted them both and gave to each a
little ostentatious flourish. Then re-
placed them, adding, still in tones clear
and high, ''It makes me feel kind of
nervous, but still I don't doubt I'll
get home all right
'Oh, Jack and will see you safely
homer' cried Bradford. with a Glar"G