The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-01-09

Il
| speaking
f'You told me to be back in Is minutes.
| said the host.
ut was rather suggestion than a COM
mnnd," returned the great man. But
since you are here, will you have the good
ness to inform me at what hour the high
land coach starts in the morningi"
six o'clock sharp, sir.n
"Six O'clock" repeated the great man
mustngly. "Then intending passengers
must be afoot by 8. Call me precisely at
that hour, II you please, and 1t would be an
advantage to have pitcher of hot water left
at my door. And, let me see, for breakfast
like ham and eggs, when there is pros.
pect Of fresh air to digest them, and a cup
of good coffee-good you understand. II
you attempt topoison me with your adul.
| terations''--
| my adulterations" cried the landlord,
no longer able to control himself. my
adulterationsl Certie, that's bonnie talk.
Let me tell you"--
Keep your temper" said the great man,
| with unruffied calmness. POSSIBLY you
may require it yet. What wish to say is
that II l am poisoned with authorizations 1t
will be the worse for you. Perhaps you can
understand that as matter of self inter
est And. presume, the sheets have been
aired"
"Aired" repeated the landlord in stri-
dent tones. EVERY bed in the houses as
dry as the fog in a linties nest and as sweet
asnew mown hay"
II trust shall find mine so,n said the
i great man. "If should be 80 unfortunate
MS to contract rheumatism In your bed,
know how to get damages
Maybe you know how to get the breeks
off a highland man." retorted the land
lord.
sThere is one thing know" said the
| great man freezingly, "a civil innkeeper
when SEQ him."
| He then emptied his glass, caught up his
whip and gloves and strobe out, casting
never a glance at one in the room. The
landlord, uncertain whether to follow and
apologize or remain behind and give vent
to his feelings in profane language, COM
promised the matter by falling viciously on
Q servant who inopportunely came in his
way.
did not see the great man at breakfast
next morning. But no sooner had taken
my seat on the coach than he clambered up
beside me. The day being chill and foggy
he was wrapped to the eyes in great coat
and an enormous woolen muffler such as
the Scottish people like to hide their heads
in when the air happens to be too shrewd.
ugh, dear me, it's rawp' he remarked
to the world at large as he settled back In
| the midst OF pile of rugs and plaids, sub
timely oblivious of the fact that he was re-
clining upon me and appropriating half my
space.
We were not far on our journey when the
sun shone out warmly, the mists which
| filled the valleys and lay heavily on the
| wooded slopes began to rise, and some of
the fairest scenes in all fair Scotland opened
| to the sight. The landscape smiled, but
there was no corresponding token Of gent
ality in the face of the pompous and taci-
| turn individual by my side. He SO far re-
| sponded to the benignancy of nature in
deed as to unbutton his great coat, lower
his muffier and lay himself out to the sun
| as IL he were a bundle of moldy hay. But
even this he did ont of sheer rcondescension,
and in the process be made me suffer. He
dug into my ribs with his elbow, he tapped
his coat into my face, he stamped on my
toes. he rubbed himself against me, finally
keeling over and lying on me as II 1 had
been cushion specially placed to save his
bones. His pressure nearly pushed me over
the side of the coach, and made a move
ment to save myself.
"1'll trouble you to look after your ell
| bows" he said, noticing my presence for
the first time.
Really, SIR" retorted, not without a
| little heat, "the request might come more
reasonably from me than from you"
Hb turned his head quickly and looked
| dagkers at me. Finding did not melt in
| the heat of his glare, he said slowly:
Young man, your impudence is amaz-
ing.b
Then he averted his eyes and snorted an
grilt.
"Impudencel" I repeated in astonlsh-
meut.
Precisely" he answered, nudging and
spreading himself out still farther, so that
he crushed me against the iron rod at the
side. ut is overwhelming"
mot half SO overwhelming as you, you
elephantp' retorted, giving him heave
that sent him against the passenger on the
| other side. Keep your lubberly weight off
me, or, by George, I'll make your
At this he called Justify to the guard
that / threatened to do him bodily harm,
and that he would hold the owner of the
coach responsible IL were not removed
forthwith.
"The fellows vicious and may do MUIR
der, !" he exclaimed. 81 claim the protec-
tion of the responsible party in charge of
this coach"
Hereupon the guard endeavored to make
peace between us, saying, however, that so
far he saw no reason for removing me from
my place.
II have only to say, them" returned the
great man, that IL l should have the mis-
fortune to be injured by this person you
will be held accountable, for you have had
warning of his violent intentions, and if
he should kill me, you, sir, will be hanged
as an accessory before the fact. That Is
the law"
Thus admonlshed the guard returned to
his bugle and blew Justify to keep himself
in countenance and my companion, hav-
ing settled his ruffied feathers bit, sat up,
pulled out a fat notebook and began to
study page of figures, keeping, however,
the corner Of his eye on me- As he studied
a smirk Of satisfaction now and again re-
lieyed the austerity of his face. l judged
the figures represented some profitable in
vestment, but little could / have guessed
what that investment was.
At length he closed the book, returned
1t to his pocket, and in spite of all that had
taken place once more reclined comfort
ably on me- 1t was now my turn to appeal
to authority, so called out, "Guard, have
the goodness to remove this carcassp
The aggressor sat bolt upright, as IL an
arrow had pierced him, his face darkened
by a scowl.
"Such insults are intolerable," he said
savagely, II will write to the owner Of this
coach; will have justice"
made no reply, only smiled at his
chagrin and stretched myself to the limits
of my space, glad that at last had madea
definite impression. For the rest of the
journey he punetiliously kept from touch
ing me, and though we both left the coach
at the same stopping place we did not ex-
change another word When he disappear
ed into the village inn, fervently hoped /
had seen the last of him.
Though made all haste after alighting
from the coach, leaving my portmanteau
In charge Of the innkeeper that might go
unincumbered, and taking a short cut
across the moors, the cleaning had fallen
ere caught my first sight Of the turrets