Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-04-27

tie III the warmcSt corner OF the chimney,
who seemed in particular to resent my
damp neighborhOod- His companions
treated him with SO much reverence, and
he snubbed them so regularly, that WON
iered who he was, and presently, listen
ing to the conversation which went on
round me, had my curiosity satisfied.
He was no less n parsonage than the bailiff
of 81. Adams, and his manner befitted
such q man. fo- it seemed to indicate that
he thought himself heir to all the powers
cf tie old ahbots under whose broad
thumb his father and grandfather had
yroaned.
My conscience pricking me, felt some
misgiving when saw him, after staring
at me and whispering to two or three of
his neighbors, beckon the landlord aside.
His big round face and burIy figure gave
him "a general likeness to bluff King Hal,
and he appeared to be aware of this him
self and to be inclined to ape the stout
kings ways, which, L have heard my I'M
Gle say, Were ever ways heavy for others
toes For awhile, however, seeing my
supper CONC in, 1 forgot him. The bare
armed girl who brought it to me and in
whom my draggled condition seemed to
provoke feelings of different nature lug
ged up a round table to the fire. On this
she laid my meal, not scrupling to set
aside some of the snug dry townsfolk.
Then she set a chair for me well in the
blaze, and folding her arms in her apron
stood to watch me fall to. l did so with q
will, and with each InouthfUl of beef and
draft of ale spirit and strength came back
to me. The cts round me might sneer
and shake their heads and the travellers
smile ut my appetite. In five minutes l
cared not whit. I could give them back
joke for joke and laugh with the best of
:he,a.
Indeed I had clean forgotten tho bailiff
when he stalkcd back to his place. But
the moment our eyes met l guessed there
was trouble atoot. The Landlord came
with him and stood looking Mt me, send
ing of the wench with a flea in hes ear,
and felt under his eye an uncomfortable
consciousness that my purse was empty.
Two or three late arrivals, to whom sup
pose master bailiff had confided his suspi-
cions, took their stand also in n half cir
Gle and scanned me queerly. Altogether it
struck me suddenly that was in "a tight
place and had need of my wits.
..Ahemr' said the bailiG abruptly, TAX
ing skillful advantage of a lull in the talk.
Where from last, young MANI He spoke
in deep, choky voice, and If / was not
mistaken he winked one of his small eyes
in the direction of his friends, as though
to say, Now see me pose himr'
But I only put another morsel in my
mouth. Fog "a moment indeed the tempta-
ton to reply '.Towcester," seeing that
such a journey over a middling road was
something to brag of before the highway
law came in, almost overcame me. But
in time I bethought me of Stephen Gar
diners maxim, BE slow to speak," and
put another morsel in my mouth.
The bailiff's face grew red. or rather
redder Come, young man, did you hear
me speakf'' he said pompously. Where
from last:''
From the road, SIR" replied, turning
to him as if had not heard him before.
And q very wet road it was"
A man who sat next me chuckled, being
apparently n stranger like myself But the
| bailiff pulled himself into n still more
striking likeness to King Henry, and in
Guiding him i'm his scowl shouted at me:
l..Sirrah, don't handy words with me
Which way did you come along the road, "
| l asked.
1t was on the tip Of my tongue to an.
swer saucily. The right way"' But re-
| Elected that might bc stopped, and to be
stopped might mean to be hanged at worst,
n nd somthing very unpleasant Mt best So
| controlled myself and answered. though
the mans arrogance was provoking
enough: Il have come from Stratford,
and l am going to London. Now you
know as much rs do
DO H. he said. with a sneer and q
wink at the landlord.
| Yes, / think so," answered patiently.
| We'll, 1 don't,'' he rctortcd in vulgar
triumph. Il don't 1t is my opinion that
| ycu have come from London"
| Invent on with my supper.
| DO you hclr," ne asked pompoUsly,
sticking his arms akimbo and looking
round for sympathy. You will have tc
give an account of yourself. young man.
We will have no pcnnilsss rogucs and
sturdy vagaDonGs wandering about It. Al
bans"
.'Penniless rogucs do not go a-horse
back, " answered. But it was wonderful
how my spirits sank again under that
word pennies" II hit me hard.
Wait a Bit he said, raising his fingel
to command attention for his next ques
ton. What is your religion, young
MANI
oh" l replied. putting Gown my
knife and locking open scorn at him, 'yor
are an inqul>ltor, are you! AT WHICH
words of mine there was a kind of stir
I-.You would burn me as l hear the,
burned Master SaIGars at Coventry las
week, would you: They were talking
about 1t down the road.
You will come to n bad end, younl
mani he rc;o-tod viciously, his out
stretched finger shaking rs II the pals,
had seized him, for this time my taun
had gone home, and more than one of tn
listeners standing on the outer edge of tn
groap, and so beyond his ken, had nut
| tered shame More than one face ha,
grown dark ''You will came to a ba,
end" he repeated. IF il be not here, thel
Somewhere else. II is my opinion tina
ven have come from London and that yol
| have been in trouble. There is hue an
, cry on. fo- young fellow just your age
, and a cock of your hackle, judge, who
wanted for hcresy. A Londoner too
, You do not leave here until you have Civ
en- an account of yourself, Master Jack "A
, Dandy The party had all risen ronn
me. and some o: the hindmost had got o
, benches to sec me the better. Among thest
between two bacon flitches, l caught
, glimpse of the serving maids face as sh
peered az me, pale and scared, and quee