The Coconino weekly sun., 1895-07-03
A HEAVY RANSOM.

To judge by his haggard looks and the monotonous way in which he was pacing up and down the room, Hon. Robert Spenceley was evidently under the influence of a serious mental de- pression when his particular chum, Tom Langton, favored him with 8 morning call.
 "Halloa! Whats up, Bob? By love, you are looking seedy."
 Hon. Robert stopped in his purpose less walk, languidly extended his arm, lightly touched the tips of his friends fingers, and hcaved deep and bitter sigh.
 "Are you i'll. chappie, or has the peerless, patrician Penelope"
 .Sit down, Tom. The fact is, I've been fool"
 And how did you discover it?"
 "Well, as you know, I've been mixed up a bit with Lord Templeton and his set. Jolly fellows, but inclined to go the pace bit too fast. Hang me, l if can say No to anything they propose, and the upshot of it all is that in two nights I have lost upward of three thousand pounds sterling playing cards at the Junior Aborigines - at least, that's the amount they hold my o Us for"
 "What confoundedly bad luck you must have had"
 1T posted down to the family nest yesterday, laid the whole affair before the governor, and vowed that l would never touch card again if he would help me out of this scrape."
 And he has refused?"
 "Point blank. He reminded me that on several occasions he had paid off my legitimate debts-small in comparison to this one-but he considered playing cards for high stakes so outrageously foolish that he could not and would not help me. I told him they were debts of honor, but he said it was a most dishonorable way either of mak- ing Or getting rid of money.
 Tn conclusion, he told me that as it was most desirable that should break off from this connection, he proposed to reduce my allowance to five hundred pounds year, during which time am to travel and see as much of the world as can on paltry ten pounds week.
 And what did you say?'
 "What could l say? have no choice in the matter I have made up my mind that I will not go to the money lenders, and so l must get these fel- lows to wait until can redeem my pa per-"
 Look here, old chap. I'll come with you for time, and we'll go in for a walking tour"
 Tom, you are brick. Let us start this week. : Three months had elapsed since Rob ert Spcnceley's departure, during which period frequent communication each bearing expressions of regret : for the past and promises for the flu ture-kept Lord Nethwick fully ac , quainted with his sons doings. Tho . absent one seemed to be thorough, enjoying himself, judging from hi , graphic descriptions of the scenery and incidents of the walking tour Then the letters ceased altoge iher.
 Several times lately the doubt hat arisen in Lord Methwick's mind as t. l whether he had not been too severe } remembering that bis son had hitherto
 borne an irrcproachable character evincing a deep dislike to all tn, - worse forms of dissipation, and thcr, s was no doubt that this unfortunate nj 9 fair at the Junior Aborigines was no : the result of inherent or newly-ac - quired viciousness, but rather brough l about by false position, in which 1, surrounded by companions of wealtI : and reputc, he had been led away b J the excitement and his inability to sa
 "No"
 Now that no news came from him . his fether's resolution rapidly gay
 way under the disquieting influenc |. of foreboding and the continuous CT . treaties of his mother, until at last hi . recall was decided upon so soon as tn next intimation of his address shoul , arrive. The next letter did disclose hi | whereabouts, and this was the-
 thunderbolt.
 "MosT ILLUsTRIoUs SIGYoE-The sea your eXcellency Is doing us the honor tc ctSl T descend our humble hospitality to partake an 6 has to us your address given so that we ma f impart his well being He now his departul :. desires, but VIC would that your illustrious e, cellency to us sending the sum of pounds fcl l thousand Englische that we may be solGce r for his loss" Then followed an address ? which communication was to be sent, an ], the missiye concluded: Any information the gendarmes will be on the son of your e, ' cellency. (SigneD GIUSEPPE" |"
 Giuseppe! The most noted bloodthirst ? and brigand of modern times, abou . whose cruclties and tortures so man 3 narrowing tales were told by travt f CTS, and upon whose head heav 9 price had been set long ago. : Lady Methwick piteously besough Q her husband to send the money g
 once.
 T '"They will kill my darling boy, an = you-you-will have sent him to h. . death"
 f Her daughters, Hon. Agatha, Ondin ; and Clovis, added their agonized CT . treaties; indeed, so carried away wer
 they by their feelings that they actua 7 ly offered to go without new hats an I dresses for the next twelve months, } order to contribute to the ransol | D,,A l., IL |