The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-06-03

His plan of making himself difficult of
access and of declining personal inter
views was certainly wise. For Scro ggs
was fat, very ordinary little person,
with no sign of the inspired prophet eX-
ternally visible; and little familiarity
with him might have ended in breeding
great contempt. He would, indeed, con-
sentnow and then to see a very good
client; but as rule, those who called
were put of-when they were accorded
an interview at all-with Sandy McNicol,
Scroggs' confidential clerk.
This Sandy was a staid, sober man, of
middle age and very respectable appear
ance, in whose honesty and business ca
pacity Scroggs placed entire confidence.
So much so that during the latter's fire.
quent absences from Liverpool flor he at
tended every important race meeting of
the Year, Sandy was trusted to open let
tiers and 10 receive and bank all pay
ments, in the discharge of which duties
his employer found him always scrupu-
lous and punctual.
Sandy knew nothing of sporting matters
in gen eral or of horse racing in particu-
lar; nor did SlroTgs desire that he should.
He himself had enough and to spare of
such knowledge: and besides, his init
mate acquaintance with sporting charac-
tiers had given him no hi n idea of their
honesty. He was, therefore, far better
satisfied to have trustworthy business
clerk who asked no questions, simply did
what he was told and had no disposition
- las most sporting clerks would have had
/ to indulge in an occasional fiutter with
+ his employers half crowns. When he
/ left Liverpool for any length of time
+ Scroggs always gave Sandy a written lis
of tips for the chief forthcoming races;
! which the latter could forward to appli-
cants on the receipt of the usual fee; and
! the Gipster knew that he was perfectly
safe in dom so, and that, on his return,
he -ould find every half crown rellg-
| iously accounted for
Another excellent point about Sandy
was his extreme dis, retiOn.- He was
neither inquisitive himself nor would he
satisfy the ihquisitiy enes3 of others.
There was no fear whatever of his dis
| closing Secrets-ouSiness or otherwise,
| He kept very much TO himself, had
scarcely any friends in Liverpool, was a
! blue ribboner. aud, in fact, was just the
( man to have for confidential facto tum.
About a week before the day fixed for
the great steepIechase in this particular
wear, Jonathan ScrogEs had occasion to
! leave Liverpool on one of those numerous
! peregrinatiOns which his peculiar bust
| ness entailed. He was going up to Lon
| don. first of all, to transact certain mat
| tiers in The metropolis and after that,
prOna DIV, to BrlZnlOn or Hastings IOf a
! few DAYS RI st and sea air. His move
! ments. however, would be tribe uncer-
tain. and must depend more or less on
! the requirements of business.
He gave Sandy the usual instructions
! and an address in London to which any
urgent letter might be forwarded But
! he requested that, unless it were abso-
! lutely necessary, he should not be both
cred during his absence with business
/ communications
He seemed anxious and uneasy, Sandy
/ thought. ana when the latter entered MS
employers private room just previous to
/ SCroggs' de rarture, he found him urlok'
/ ing neat brandy, which, considering tnat
/ the hour was 8 o'clock a. m, and that the
tipster was usually an abstemlous man,
was to say the least of it. noticeable
| circumstance.
! Scroggs then took his departure for
! ondon, and matters went on quietly at
| the once until the following Tuesday
evening, when one Of the tipster's Liver.
pool customers came round In state OF
! great excitement.
Have you SEGA the evening papers
he asked.
.,No. y replied Sandy. Anything up!'
Yes. inueel a most fearful thing has
/ happened. Lord Coltsloot has been MUIR
! dered {" 50 ~
9Th. mon. cried Sandy, throwing
| down his pen. y ounever say so
NO doubt about it, am AFRAID. All