Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1895-03-09

asylum. Did you ever see $500 il
one pile? It's refreshing sight
See here"
He watched me with piercing eyes,
and though he was toying with his re-
volver carelessly enough | saw he had
his finger on the trigger all the time
He bent over from the bed anC
picked up bundle of notes from the
floor.
This means u visit to the tailor s.
quail on toast with champagne, n long
trip to America or the Continent, y
and he fondly patted the money. $50
they've got an account in the papers,
have they? I'd like to read it,
Thanks"
He skinned through the article
with evident enjoyment, now and
then chuckling to himself. The he
said
"Pretty close shave, that. I'm sorry
Tor the cashier, but suppose he will
wriggle ont of the responsibility
somehow. Excuse my asking the
question, but what do you do for a
living"
'Im traveller in calicoes."
"Married?"
"No."
Ever been abroad?'
"No."
'Look here, old chappie, he went on
with easy familiarity, as he stretched
himself on the bed, you're giving
me shelter and I'll do you turn.
Hand in your resignation and come
with me. 1t Will do you good and,
open your eyes. This little pile will
40 rs first class for year"
'Pll see you hanged first, you
cheeky villain" | shouted. "I'm not
making tours with bank thieves and
jailbirds. Your trip will end in pris-
on, ii it doesn't start there"
Zoo peppery, altogether too pep
perry for the head traveller to Il respac.
table firm" he quietly observed
"And do you think I'll be arrested, rs
you know so much about it?"
Certainly. I'm going to take you
down STAIRS and hand you over to the
police"
That's lie, he said, as he swung
his feet off the bed and stood up. 81
don't blame you for refusing n trip to
America, but please don't make an
IDIOT of yourself in other ways"
Glow do you mean?" | asked, also
getting up and trying to keep my
head.
"Just look at things straight and
you'll see. Pm no chicken. Having
played for a big stake and won it, /
am not likely to let myself be baked
by kid like you. I'm armed. as you
see You're not, SO keep your back
hair on. Even without arms could
do for you, being the larger Of the
two"
"You cold-bloodel scoundrel," /
muttered
"No, don't call names. It's low,"
he said, pleasantly. Lets consider
what is your path of duty. I've got
the best of the bank. And how many
people have the bank got the best of
before? Last year over twenty banks
closed their doors in the face of de-
positors. Every failure was brought
about by some kind of fraud And
don't fatter yourself that you owe a
duty to the public. The public would
let you starve or freeze and not move
Il finger. You owe n duty to your
self. 1t is to take change of air. And
now's your chance. Preserve the
present state of your health, that's my
advice, and very good advice, too. "
"All of which means, interp ,sed,
"that you will shoot me if | give the
alarm?"
"Precisely."
"Ihen shan't do So. p"
81 thought rs much. y
He climbed again onto the bed and
continued: 81 thought | was right
when | sized you up. We have now
come to an understanding. I've got
one or two favors to ask, but won't
keep you long, and | see you want to
go to bed. All, there are your scis.
sors. must sacrifice my mustache
Please sit over by the window.
He laid his revolver ON the dressing
table and cut of his fine chestnut
mustache. | sat watching him and
wondered i; : had gone out of my
mind, or il, perchance, | was dream
ing"
'Eou shave yourself, don't you?"
he finally asked, as he turned round
and faced me.
| pointed to my razor and strap,
and in barely another moment he
stood before me clean shaven.
He had sandy hair, while his eye.
brows were almost red. There was n
bottle of black ink on the table. He
dipped his handkerchief into it and
painted his eyebrows. With the same
fluid he made MS neat black eye ms
any lllhO HbltCl Nouii chic w bohot,
and he was chuckling as he turned to
me-
Gust one thing more, old mana
suit of clothes. | must get off this
blue serge. Perhaps it will fit you.
Your oldest suit, please. | will pay
cash for it. -.
| handed over II much worn suit.
"Rather tight fit, but it will do,
he said. "Here's $25 for it."
81 don't want your dirty money"
said, savagely.
Don't be finicky, it's silly. Now,
then, to wrap up the money in news
paper, and then I'm off. Look here,
my boy, take this $500; it will make
~ for any little Inconvenience l have
caused you"
"I'd starve first"
ooh, come now, you're too good for
this world. What are you going 10 do
when | leave the room?"
"Kick myself for an ASS and then 90
to bed most likely"