The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-06-20

it'd suit you 10 That Delhg the m
ishull Of his Christian name and
Mrs. Longclose, ma'am.' she says.
speaking low and confidential, never have
1 seen the finger of Providence Printing
straighter than 1 see it printing to you at
this mint. Mrs. Longclose, ma am she
says, L names no names, and makes no
illusions. but if ever there was anybody
cut out by natures own hand for the
sitashun, you are that person
when I was gell, remarked Mrs.
Smallchick. printing wasn't considered
manners, and as to cutting out, strikes
me nature couldn't have had much of
pattern to go by, or p'raps the scissors
was blunt
'Some folks" was the retort. do seem
to have been cut out on the cross 10 that
extent as act straightforward they can't
Here Mrs. Smallchick looked at Mrs.
LongclOse and snorted and Mrs. Long
close looked at Mrs. Smallchick and
shifted.
Meanwhile the bone of contention had
passively submitted to being wrangled
over, which, considering the way he
was hemmed in was the only course Of
conduct open to him. And yet it seemed
as though he ought to have some voice
I'm the matter, though up 10 the present
neither Of the ladies had allowed him an
opportunity of exercising it.
Goodness knows only how they'll set
tie it between EN-" he thought Any
llOWs llty can L DDll nave AAC-
BY this time the shutters were down.
but observation having shown the boy
that his masters attention was too well
occupied in minding his own affairs to
be cogniZant of the proceedings Of his
subordinate. the latter had strolled Off
and was now agreeably employed in con-
veying a vivid impression of the kitten
episode to a congenial spirit.
Within the shop there was a momen-
tary lull while the competitors recovered
their breath.
Mr. Yabsley took advantage of the
same TO make an effort 70 review the
situation. Would it-could IL be posi-
BILE, by reverting to strategy, TO escape
from this second position of peril, in spite
of the odds being so much against him?
But before he could do more than grasp
the merest outline of a scheme, the on
slaught was renewed.
Really, ladies, really" the tobaccon-
lists voice was raised in expostulation.
Don't let us have any unpleasantness,
pray don't. 1 assure you, I'm not worth
it."
Il never said you was" replied Mrs.
Smallchick. but so long as the business
is all right"
"The fact is" went on Mr.. Yabsley,
running his hands through his hair dis
tractedly. what with one thing and an
other, l hardly seem TO know what am
doing. 1t isn't only the rates and taxes
overdue. or being two quarters behind
with rent, or the bill of sale on the fur
niture l might manage TO get over that
in time But to think 1 should live TO
see myself bankrupt
Bankrupt" was the double exclama-
ton why, you never mean it
Mr.. Yabsley shook his head dolefully.
'TwOpence three farthings in the
pound. if that" he added with agitation,
which it is to be hoped was one OF con-
triton.
But there was a glimmer of suspicion
in Mrs. Smallchick's eye.
why, the business looks all right and
you keep a boy"
"A boy? All. that's where 1t is. I'm
obliged TO keep him. If 1 was 20 give
him notice, I'd have to pay him his
wages. It's cheaper 10 keep him on and
owe 'em 70 him.
"A perfect man-trap. that's what you
are a-laying snares Tor the wilder and
| the orphan"
The truth is" exclaimed the cUlprit
| feeby. 1.-THE truth is. I thought 1 might
meet with some one with a bit of money,
| thatd set me on my legs again.
| 'Set you on your legsi feel a deal
| more like knocking you off 'em al
| together. Mrs. LOngclose, ma am, we've
| been deveived shameful
Mrs. SmallchiCk, ma'am, l couldn
| have put it better myself"
4 m only a weak WoIlldlls tAClaAAlAtN
| Mrs. Smallchick, towering a head and
shoulders above the covering fabsley
| but when I think I've been took in,
| declare, 1 could shake you till your teeth
! ratified in your head.
Don't do that, ma'am, pray" he i'm
| plored "for they don't fit too well at the
| best Of times. Think" and he groanec
louder than before, think Of the escap'
| you've had
With a final shower of vituperative cpl
| thets, they gradually departed. Mrs
| Smallchick came back once to put he1
| head in at the door and salute him as {
| "disreppytable old cockroach,' - but Mr.
| Yabslev. being by this time, as it were
| morally waterproof, merely grOaned depre
| catingly.
'I reckon could hardly have told more
| lies 10 the square inch if I'd been putting
| up for Parlyment," he lamented SOM
| five minutes later. IT'S perfeckly awful
| how easy it seemed to come to me ono
| I'd got my tongue in. They Jest slipped
| off 1t like ii was creased
| He tottered to the door and looked out
| 1t was fine spring morning, and the vii
| lage street was wearing its most pictur
| esque aspect; but to the tobacconistt
! jaundced eye the world was black AM
| blighted with widows. The sky Nigh
be blue and flecked with clouds like tn
neeciest Shetland wool, the leaves Nigh
wear their tenderest green. the tiled roof
1
roguishly in the sun; they winked in vail
at T. Yabsley, who. after carefully recon
| nothing ventured to raise his voice suffi
GENTLY to summon the boy.
Thomas" he said, lest come an
mind the shop. I'm tagged out. And
Thomas, seeing it's Saturday, you ca
put up the shutters early and take a half
holiday And, Thomas. if any one call
and wants to see me-any lady, yO
know-specially any one in mourning
| say I've gone away for a few days"
The boy nodded, and his master van
ished into his den, only to reappear in
few seconds.
| Thomas here's your wages and two
| pence over, and If you like to say V
been a little queer in my head lately
why. I'd look over it at once"
Thomas nodded again, and grinned &c
| lightedly.
you lemme lone, I'll skeer 'em prop
| err"
Mr.. Yabsley was a little taken abac
at the promptnesS with which his assist
ant prepared to carry out his hint.
"Don't-don't overdo it. Thomas" h
| entreated. AT least-that is-only if 70
find they won't go peaceable. My gra
ciousi Who's that?"
1t was only a customer for an ounC
of shag, but Mr.. Yabsley bolted into hi
| retreat as though it had been a rabbit
hole, and he it's legal tenant.
"If this sort of thing is going to las
much longer, Jacob" he remarked to tn
cat. you'll be advertising for a situatio
| next. for | believe another day wOul
about finish me. Why! bless me! 1 neve
thought of that. I'll write directly to tha
woman Wilkins and get her to cut 'em o