The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1896-07-21
CHAPTER XVI.
Curiosity Cures Hunger.

~ be expected, was very considerably
annoyed by the use which had been
made of his name by the peddler, who
argued that it could be Of no sort of
consequence.
A gentleman like Mr.. Claremont had,
Abraham said, right to give away a
watch to anybody to whom he thought
proper to be liberal.
The important part of the NATTER to
Abraham was, that it should be dis
tinctly understood that the watch, on
leaving Stanley's pocket, had passed in
regular and proper way into that of it's
present owner.
And, finally, Stanley grumbled forth,
that when the matchmaker came to
make inquiries, he would say all that
would be necessary.
And I can see," said Abraham.
chat you are not greatly delighted at
the prospect of his visit"
In fact, Stanley was scowling fear
fully.
swell, if you like said the peddler,
81 can hinder his coming"
"How would you manage thaty" the
other demanded.
Il can return to SpringfOrdss shop
with the attestation of the present that
can atteStation!" exclaimed Stanley.
'"rwo lines would do it,"
mo! / have not forgotten your re-
commentator.
'What about?"
"Not to be so fond of writingr said
Stanley
And the peddler now very heartily
wished that he had left that piece or
advice unspoken.
Eyes, very true" pleaded Abraham;
''but from you to me-and from he to
the watchmaker-what harm could
that do?"
ut does not matter-I shall not
write" Stanley answered, very CURLY.
'Let Springford come, and I'll speak
to him."
Speak to him-yes, of course, Stanley
would speak to him-Abraham was
very uneasily thinking. But in what
sense would Stanley speakE What
would he say to the matchmaker, that
was what the peddler was anxious to
know.
But what he did know was, that his
former employer, now that he no long
er needed his agent, was quite capable
of denying him altogether; and then
what would Abraham be able to say?
how get out of the trouble?
Stanley had a good coat on his back,
while his former accomplice was
shockingly out at elbOws-and Abra-
ham had no difficulty in understanding
whose word of the two would weigh
the most.
And if Stanley should choose to turn
round upon the peddler, he might
speak of James Frampton's death; for
A T., ,l1e, 20 IiIaC
how the poor old man had died; and
so, summing all up, Abraham Mailer
arrived at the very unpleasant conclu-
sion that q little hard swearing on Stan
ley's part might get his former ascot
ate hanged comfortably out of the
way.
A servant came to inform ClaremOnt
that messenger from MI. Springford,
the matchmaker and jeweller, was in
the hall, and wished to be allowed q
few words with the barOnet's nephew,
who said that the man was to wait.
And when the servant had left the
room, Stanley, addressing the peddler,
who was fidgeting uneasily and look
ing very miserable, said to him:
"Have you any particular wish to be
seen by this man, that you do not take
Yourself out of the way?"
Not the slightest wish in the world,
l assure you," Abraham hastily an
Swered; ''only l want this business
over, for / haven't had any dinner to-
day, of which unpleasant circumstance
certain cravings in certain regions are
continually reminding me-"
While these two had been in CONVEX
sation the dusk of the evening had ar
rived. Stanley ordered lights, and
Abraham, following the movements of
the servant, who, when he had brought
the lamps, let down the heavy cur
tainS before each of the windows.
When that had been done, Stanley or
dered the servant to take Abraham to
the pantry, and then to send in the
man who had come from the jewellers.
And. with seeming humility, bowling
and thanking Stanley, the peddler fol
lowed his conductor from the room.
On his way to the pantry, Abraham
first wondered to himself, if it was to
lock him up in it, and make a prisoner
of him at once, that Stanley was send
ing him there; but the next moment he
reflected that such thing was very
unlikely, more, indeed. than Stanley
would dare to do in his uncle's house.
When Abraham had reached the pam
try he found himself without any de-
sire to attack the good things by which
he was surrounded; he was too full of
anxiety to learn what Stanley would
have to say to the jewellers messen-
ger.
He looked carefully about; not soul
was near; so he stole hastily back the
way he had come, and into the room he
had but just before quilted.
AS he was very quietly opening the
door, Stanley was saying, with an air
of indifference to our friend Tony, who