People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1896-11-05
M0DINGTON'S MONEY.
BY WILL LISENBEE.

1t was a nasty business that l got
pinto on my last trip to Rio, but it was
all the fault of Rugby, or, l might say,
pit was the fault Of the bad rum he had
been drinking; for Ruggy would drink,
hnd it did seem that he always picked on
the vilest stuff he could put his lips to.
Our ship, the Flying Fish, had been
Dying in port at Rio for nearly week,
nnd as Capt. Hope was very easy with
his men we came and went pretty
much as we pleased. There was not a
day that Ruggy did not go ashore, and,
Though he managed to keep pretty
straight when under the eyes of the
captain, l knew well enough that he
was drinking more rum than was good
for him.
But drinking was not the only fault
Ruggy had, for, once let him get filed
ZIP on rum, and he would be seized with
an almost insane passion for gambling.
AT such times he seemed totally devoid
OF all reason and would willingly stake
his last copper on any game, no matter
how great the odds might be against
him. | have seen him bet his clothes.
his last plug of tobacco, and even his al
iowance of grog-which was saying q
great deal in Ruggy's case-upon the
most trivial incidents of the voyage,
such as the way the wind would blow
the next day, whether there would be
clouds or sunshine, and he would some
times go as far as to bet on the direc-
ton which the next gull seen would be
flying, such was his passion for gam
bling. But let me come to my story:
Among the few who were to take pas
sage with us for New York was an old
man by the name of Richard Moding-
ton He had amassed quite snug for
tune in some specializing schemes in
ERio, it was said, and was now return
ing to his native land to enjoy the fruits
OF his labor. His luggage had been sent
TO the Flying Fish, and, as he was an
old friend of Capt. Hope, he came
aboard himself, though we were not to
sail for several days. He spent most of
his time in his cabin, for it was whis.
Pered that he brought large amount of
money with him and wanted to be
near it.
L had been knocking about the CITY
In the afternoon, and about sunset. as
u was returning to the ship, met Rug
gy. He carried small hand satchel
and seemed greatly excited. 1 could
see that he had been drinking, and
u would have left him, but he held on
to me, saying that he wished to talk to
me on important business. Reluctant.
Iy followed him into brightly light.
ed public house, and, passing to the rear
end OF the room, we entered a stall and
took seats at table. My companion
ordered some refreshments and wine.
insisting that he would not disclose his
business with me till we had eaten and
drunk.
was but youth then, and though ]
had been three years a sailor had
never tasted strong drink. Urged on
by Ruggy, l drank glass of the wine.
HE taste was pleasant and the effect
very strange to me, and it took little
persuasion to induce me to take the
next glass. kept this up till my brain
was in whirl and my senses benumbed.
Then it was that Ruggy began to IN.
fold his object in OBTAINING me.
he first opened the satchel and drew
therefrom large roll of United States
money and bag filed with Spanish
doubloons. He held them before nv
gaze and began to talk wildly, incoher-
emily, of some vast fortune he was soon
10 gain through their agency. NV
senses were too much benumbed by the
wine to feel any great surprise at seeing
SO much wealth in his possession, yet |
sat stupidity waiting for him to ex-
plain.
"lt'sold Modington'smoney," he said,
at length, in hoarse whisper. But I
didn't steal it. Oh, no, Rugby has
never been guilty of that-not if he
knows it! I've only borrowed it, Jack.
my boy, so you need not look so fright.
ened."
"But-but what do you mean to do
with it?" asked. sand how did old
Nodington happen TO loan you so much
money!"
He closed one eye, stared at me with
the other and nodded knowingly. a
cunning look coming over his counte.
nance.
Il amt no fool, jack" he said. Law.
Sng his hand on my shoulder. Don't
think was fool enough to ask him, for