Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1896-11-02

But this would seem to involve nv
m isg the man Thomson?'' says he
when | had done.
~. l think SO, indeed, SIR" said I.
Dear doctorw cries he, rubbing his
Prov Dear doctor! No. Mr.. David,
l am afraid your scheme is inadmissible
! say nothing against your friend Mr..
thomson; l know nothing against him,
ana It | did-mark this, Mr. David
|, L would be my duty to lay hands on him.
I1ow VI put 1t to you: Is it wise to meet?
Ile may nave matters to his charge. He
may not have told you ALL His name
may not be even Thomson cries the
lawyer, twinkling; 'sfor some of these
IelloWs will pick up names by the road
SIDE as another would gather haws.''
~ on must be the judge, sir said |.
But it was clear my plan had taken
up his fancy, for he kept musing to
nlmself till we were called to dinner and
the company of Mrs Rankeillor; and
that lady had scarce left us again to
ourselves and a bottle of wine ere he was
PACK harplng on my proposal. When
and where was to meet my friend Mr.
thomson! Was [ sure of Mr.. Thomson's
discretion? Surprising we could catch
the, old fox tripping, would l consent to
such and such a term of an agree
ment? These and the like ques-
tons he kept asking at long
intervals ! while he. thoughtfully rolled
| had answered all of them, seeming
~ to his contentment, he fell into a
still deeper muse, even the claret being
now forgotten. Then he got sheet of
paper and a pencil, and set to work
writing and weighing every word; and
at last touched bell and had his clerk
into the chamber.
Torrance" said he, 81 must have
this written out fair against tonight;
and when it is done, you will be so kind
as put on your hat and be ready to
come along with this gentleman and me,
for you will probably be wanted as a
Witness"
''What, SIR cried I, as soon as the
clerk was gone, "are you to venture it?"
''Why. SO it would appear" says he,
filling his glass. ''But let us speak no
more of business. The very sight
of Torrance brings in my head little.
droll matter of some years ago, when |
had made a tryst with the poor oaf at
the cross of Edinburgh. Each had gone
his proper GRAND; and when it came
o'clock, Torrance had been taking a
glass and did not know his master, and
I, who had forgot my spectacles, was so
blind without them that | give you my
word | did not know my own clerk"
And thereupon he laughed heartily.
/ said it was an odd chance, and
smiled out of politeness; but what held
me all the afternoon in wonder, he kept
returning and dwelling on this story,
and telling it again with fresh details
and laughter; so that l began at last
to be quite out of countenance and feel
ashamed for my friends folly.
Toward the time I had appointed with
Alan, we set out from the house, Mr..
Rankeillor and l arm in arm and Tor
rance following behind with the deed
in his pocket and a covered basket in
his hand All through the town, the
lawyer was bowling right and left, and
continually being buttonholed by gentle
men on matters of burgh or private bust
ness; and | could see he was one great
ly looked up to in the country. At last
we were clear of the houses and began
to go along the side of the haven and
toward the Halves inn and the ferry
pier, The scene of my misfortune. |
could not look upon the place without
emotion, recalling how many that had
been there with me that day were now
no more: Ransome taken. l could hope,
from the evil to come; Shuan passed
where I dare not follow him. and the
Door souls that had gone down with the
brig in her last plunge. All these, and
the brig herself, had outlived, and come
through these hardships and fearful per-
lis without a seattle. My only thought
should have been of gratitude; and yet
could not behold the place without sor-
row for others and chill of recollected
fear.
/ was so thinking when, upon a sud
den. Mr.. Rankeilor cried out, clapped
his hand to his pockets and began to
laugh.
why he cries. ''if this be not a
farcical adventure! After all that |
said, / have forgot my glasses!'
AT that, of course, | understood the
purpose of his anecdote, and knew that
if he had left his spectacles at home
it had been done on purpose, so that he
might have the benefit OF Alans help
without the awkwardness of recognizing
him. And indeed it was well thought
uDon: for now Suppose things to go the
very worsD how could Rankeillor swear
to my friends identity, or how be made
to bear damaging evidence against my
self? For all that, he had been long
while in finding out his want, and had
spoken to and recognized good few
persons as we came through the town;
and | had little doubt myself that he
saw reasonably well.
AS soon as we were past the Halves
(where / recognized the landlord smok-
ing his pipe in the door, and was amazed
to see him look no older) Mr.. Rankeillor
changed the order of march, walking be-
hind with Torrance and sending me for
ward in the manner of scout. L went
ND the hill. whistling from time to time
my Gaelic air; and at length 1 had the
pleasure to hear it answered and to see
Alan rise from behind bush. He was
somewhat dashed in spirits, having
passed long day alone skulking in the
county, and made but poor meal III an
alehouse near Dundas. But at the mere
sight of my clothes he began to brighten
up; and as soon as | had told him IN
what a forward state our matters were,
and the part | looked to him to play in
what remained, he sprang into new
man.
..And that is a very good notion of
YOURS" says he: "and | dare to say
that you could lay your hands upon !, no Q
Breck. It is not thing (mark ye) that
anyone could do. but takes gentleman
of penetration. But it sticks in my head
YOUR lawyer-man will be somewhat
wearying to see me- says Alan.
Accordingly, | cried and waved on
Mr.. Rankeillor, who came up alone and
was presented to my friend, Mr.. Thorn
son.
Mr.. Thomson, l am pleased to meet
YOU" said he. but | have forgotten my
glasses: and our friend, Mr.. David