Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1895-10-10
FORTUNES OF A NIGHT.
BE FRANCIS DANA.

DIR. Thomas Bradbury pulled news
paper out of his pocket, and scanned
The columns up and down. He was not
looking for his own card of advertise
ment, for he had none He was not
looking for some notice of an important
case In his practice, for he had no
practice As he had begun to despair
OF ever gaining one, he was looking for
q job
This handsome, ascetic-looking young
man OF twenty-five years was dressed
IN a shabby suit that had been fashion
able eighteen months earlier. In it he
had come to Boston with his diploma
and youthful confidence that fees and
fortune would visit him But the only
room he could afford to rent was up
six stories in a large business building,
where patients came no oftener than
was natural in city Astounding in
weH-known physicians with accessible
Offices.
DIR. Bradbury's practice consisted in
waiting faithfully, studying hard, and
eating not much more than his own
heart Now ne had but a few cents
left Of the legacy that had paid for his
excellent education and his meager
=sustenance for eighteen subsequent
months
The room in which he sat was fur
nished with little but the SAVIOR of a
beefsteak which had fulfilled the des-
tiny of beefsteaks- It had not been DR.
Bradbury's when raw. Nor was this
room his. It was the residence of his
tall and broad young friend, Jack
Storms, son of the blacksmith in the
Maine village where Tom Bradbury
had been the ministers son.
Jack, having graduated from the
high school, had also sought fortune in
Boston He, no more than the young
doctor, had found that benevolent lady
at home.
But Jack, being big-boned, active
and ready to turn his hand to any
thing, had lived somehow. He had
even earned enough that day to pur-
chase the beefsteak and potatoes on
which the two had supped after Jack
had broiled it on his open CRATE. The
young fellows had not eaten so good
meal for months before. It encour-
aged them afresh, and both laughed
with some show of giee when the doc
tor said:
We'll, I own up beaten, Jack, for
the present 1 forsake my practice.
refuse to wait longer for something to
turn up-I turn to this paper and look
for job"
Look for one for me too. while
you're about it." grinned Jack. rub
bling his mighty hands before the re-
mains of the open fire
1.-THE very thing" cried Tom, hand
ing the paper to Jack, and pointing to
an advertisement. Jack took it and
read:
"'WANTED-Able-bo bodied men who
want to earn a dollar. Call at 10 PEN
die street before p. m- Friday. Room
2a''
Fridays to-day. Well, Tom. are we
in it?" asked Jack.
Certainly, want to earn dollar"
said Tom
$50 do l."
well, let's try it together. The
steak has filed me with industry and
a thirst for adventure
''An right, then. Wonder what time
it isl
A clock in a near street answered
s'Seven" with son orous strokes
IF that's true" said Jack, land that
clock has a reputation for veracity,
we've plenty of time to walk to Pendle
street by eight O'Clock. Perhaps you'd
prefer a carriage. Tom"
Not i. Leave carriages to the poor.
Let's hurry
The evening was cold, after a day Of
January thaw. They went down four
flights of stairs and walked briskly
forth, rejoicing in their young might
and the breath of a rising storm AT
five minutes before eight they reached
No. 10 Pendle street
There was light in room 30, and on
its glass door, in large black letters,
appeared the words: Levi Ritter,
Constable, Collector and Accountant"
Jack happened to have heard Ritter
denounced as very inscriptions ras-
cal. and successful one. He was
noted for being able to collect debts
where no one else could, and was much
employed by other constables in work
they disiiked themselves Part of his
business was that of collecting rents
from estates in the worst part of the
city.
II don't like the man, Tom," Jack
whispered But we'll see what's up"
They entered a dirty. cobwebby
'oAlCCs hAShcu "Atu q ucSh dnO I'd VIC
piled with writs, bills and memoranda,
a great iron safe and sundry chairs,
three of which were occupied by Ritter
and two others
Ritter himself was a short, we'll
dressed, dapper man, keen-eyed and
strongly built in a monkeylike fashion,
with long arms, short legs, deep chest
and muscular neck. His face was that
of hard. cold money-getter. with no
other interests of heart or mind.
One of the two men with him was a
stout fellow with much of the bulldog
in his appearance. evidently rowdy
of the worst kind. The other was
a typical loafer -round-shouldered.
lanky, heavy-eyed, with dirty face and
dusty, ragged beard.
To Tom and Jack, as they came in,
Ritter nodded.
You advertised for men. Need any
more?' asked the doctor.
The constable stared He was not
accustomed to seeing men of Toms
appearance applying for night work of
a dubious kind. As for Jack, he was
evidently careless, easy-going chap,
who might be found in a sort of scrape.
Yes Short. easy work, most likely.
though there may be trouble" said
Ritter. Fifty cents down, and seven
,ty-five more if you do the job"
..What is it?''
II manage Cen Bromley ChaIlenor,s