The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-12-12

leather armchair, went 70 n cupboard
and produced q bottle Of rum. three
parts full, and a couple of glasses.
~Tea for me-" said the seaman, eying
the bottle wistfully.
The pawnbroker pricked up his ears,
Nonsense" he said. with an attempt
at heartiness, "a Jolly fellow like you
dop't want tea. Have some o this"
''Tha, blast youl" said the other, hit
say tea, mean tea"
Tile pawnbroker. reTessing his
chol er. replaced the bottle. and, seating
hm ielf at the table. reached over for
the Kettle, and made the tea. II was
really pleasing picture of domestic
life, but the pawnbroker grew restless.
Tie was intent upon business; but the
other, so far rs his inroads on the tea
pot and the eatables gave any indica.
tidn, seemed to be bent only upor
pleasure. Once again the picture of the
former snilor rose before the pawn.
brokers eyes, and he scowled flercely
as the seaman pushed his cup up for
the fourth time.
sand now for a smoke" said his Wis.
itor. as he settled back in his chair
"a good un, mind. Lord. this is com.
fort! It's the first bit o. comfort I've
hd since I come ashore Ave days ago.
The pawnbrolSer grunted, and. pro,
dreing n couple Of black. greasy-look.
ting cigars. gave one to his guest. They
both fell TO smoking. the former iii at
ease, the latter with his feet spread ont
on the small fender. making the very
utmost OF his bit Of comfort.
"Are you a man as Is fond Of asking
questions?" he said, nj length.
"No," said the pawnbrolscr, shutting
his lips illustuvptively.
Suppose" sadd the sailor, leaning
forward intently, Suppose man came
TO you an ses--tshere's that blasted az.
sistant of yours peeping through the
door"
The pawnbrolcrr got up almost as ex-
aspernted as the SEAMAN. and. after rat
ing his assistant through the half open
door, closed IL with bang, and pulled
down small blind over the glass.
suppose man cayne TO YOU" re-
sumed the sailor, sitter the pawnbroker
had seated himself again. "and asked
you for five hundred pounds for some.
thing. Have you got it?"
"Not here" said epawnbroker, sus-
piciously. II dont keep any money on
the premises"
"You could get it, Sthough ?"'suggested
the other.
"We'll see," said Ehc pawnbroker;
five hundred pounds Is a fortune--five
pounds, why IL takes years Of
work-fve hundred pounds"
Il don't want no psalms" said the
seaman, abruptly; "but. look here, sup
pose wanted five hundred pounds for
something, and you wouldn't give it.
How am I to know you wouldn't give
information to the poHce il didn't
take what you offered me frit?"
The pawnbroker threw up his huge
palms in virtuous horror.
"1d mark you for II il yUu did," said
The seaman, menacingly through his
teeth. 1T 'ud be the worst days work
you ever did. viii you talxe it or leave
t at my price, an IL you won't give it.
leave ne to GO as came?"
II WILL" said the pawn broker, SOL
omnly.
The seaman laid his cigar'in the tray,
where IL expired in a little puddle of tea,
and, undoing his coas, cautiously took
rom his waist canvas belt. In q
hesitating fashion he danglcd the belt
n his hands, looking from the man to
the door, and from the door bnclk to
.he man again. Then from pocket in
he belt he took something wrapped in
: small piece of dirty flannel, and, un-
rolling it, deposited on the table huge
diamond, whose smoulderfng fires
fashedE kin many eeiors the light
rom the gas.
The pawnbroker, with m exclama-
ion reached forward TO handle it, but
The sailor thrust him back.
Hands off," he said, grimly. "None
II your ringing the changes on me-"
He tipped IL over with his fingernail |
IN the table from side to side, the other,