The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-08-04
An Unlawful Judgment.

The Quiet Inn stood at the intersection
or TWO quiet streets In a quiet part OF
/ the city ordinarily q passer-by would
/ not discern any outward signs bespeak-
/ ing custom. Its shutters We're closed Its
! curtains drawn, and all light expended
/ on It's own interior. But one evening IN
/ carly winter a chance wayfarer did pause
/ before II from comprehension OF us
/ character. The upper windows were all
aslow, shedding sufficient radiance 20
] make manifest the inscription on the
! modest brass tablet. English Inn. John
Markham. PrOp'r." The lower windows
/ We're shaded, but not shrouded. Through
ihtcIstlccS this stranger could see tiny
Drs in front, with shiny handles and
Sp"tleSs pewters. and along the low
room, extending back 10 a cherry hearth.
/ where great loss were cracking wei
| come In rudy letters, with double rows
4i tdpIes all splck and span, and walls
ulsplayins sporting prints and ornate
WIN folls ana boxing gloves and curious
oid guns The very air looked thick and
n9dyy' as II surcharged with tempting
This stranger. leaning on his heavy
WdlklnE stick, gazed for a moment in
hesitation; then he passed through the
narrow nall, struck the swinging door an
impatient blow, and entered the main
ma 1ueht. II was unoccupied, save Tor
snort puity man IN great armchair
Dehlhd the bar, a coy and comfortable
man, whose broad, smooth face WAS so
IuDlcund and set with smiles that 1t
q decOrOus hue and air in event OF his
1uheraL From his felt slippers to his
Iouny collar, devoid Of scarf, every per-
sonaI particular proclaimed him proprie-
Evening. Sir" then said John Mark
nam win beam quite quenching the
hre Pass right down this wav. Right
hdhd, third table from the rear recon
mend. Light over the left shoiilder and
neat soothing, bur not oppressive So. and
your c9at here and your hat and cane
the genteman's order"
jacobs, the waiter, duly appeared from
me pantry, but he didn't look lively.
lie was Il spare. stoOp-shOuldered man.
nursing Il grudge against fortune. but
ne arranged the table deity.
Shops; poached eggs. and toby OF
I'd IA | no mar, snapped the stranger. |
mat Dlankety, blank blanket there but |
Inc Daily Record. There's never any |
'h JnSr n N, t4t3bt, -. thank God"
me rasplng tones, and put aside a half
formed purpose OF honorng his guest |
with chat He settled back In his chair
ana eyed the stranger with disfayor Il
don't fancy you. my friend" he unused I
i don't Ike your mouth. IT is cruel; nor
your eyes they are shifty. Your neck
TOO. Is thin taln, and don't IKE that; nor do
not for cent. Plenty OF hair. OF course
and plastered down. Well. your place
Is worth twice your custom % the Quiet
Inn, so don't come again. Let me see
II ! can size you. Age, forty-fve. AT
least Business, real estate. or insur-
ance. or collection. I'm bound. Resi-
dence. some small town, and the small
er the filter Condition. married and a
henpecker from way back There's his
record; | haven't sat In this same chair
for forty years not TO know a poor coot
when | see one"
While the host was thus exercising his
from the room above there
came great stamping OF feet, a Smul-
tuous cheer. and the uproarious chorus:
For he's jolly good fellow" The
stranger shifted and twitched and slap
ped down his paper. II thought you
'alied this the Quiet Inn." he sneered. II