Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1896-10-15
CHAPTER KIT.

own LdlcouOlu ldl6 Ill TIE d1LSCuOOu Ol
that last Thursday in June. 1t was now
some hours since the dwarf had called.
Although it had not yet struck six
o'clock, he was thinking Of closing his
establishment. AS he was about to re-
tire for the long shutters that by night de-
Tended and yelled his treasure from pred
atory hands or prying eyes, his enormous
left ear became aware that feet were ap-
preaching He turned his pale blue eyes
IN the direction Of the sound and saw
coming along close to the wall the figure
of a low-sized stout woman. She carried
fish basket in her hand. Out of this
basket projected the tails of half u dozen
red behring's.
"Good afternoon" said Timmons.
Afternoon said the woman entering
the store without pausing. Then nodding
her head back in the direction whence she
had come she asked: "Any one?
''No," answered Timmons. ''Not
soul"
81 thought I'd never get here. It's NOR
tai hot. I've brought you some fish for
your tea
"Herrings,' he said, bending to exam
inc the protruding tails. "tresh her
rings, or red?' he asked in hushed, sig
nifcant voice
Red" she whispered hoarsely, sand as
fine as ever you saw. Are you going to
have company at tea, Mr.. Timmons
asked the woman in Il tone and manner
of newly awakened interest.
mo; | am not expecting any one. L
am going to have tea all by myself. l
am very busy just now L have had
visitor to-day-a few hours ago
'Wel' whispered the woman, eager
ly.
"And he'll do itv'
"He will He's been to Milwaukee and
has arranged all. They'll take every bit
they can get and pay good prlce-twlce
as much as could be got otherwise-from
any one else.
Fine Fine! You know, Mr.. Tim
mons, how hard it is to find bit now, ana
to get so little for it as we have been
handling is very misunderstanding. 1t
takes all the spirit out of Tom.'
slow is Tom? Is he on the drink!
''No, he isn't"
''That's bad sign"
The woman rose and he handed her
some money. Then followed long,
good humored dialogue in which she beg
ged for more, and he firmly, but playfully,
refused her. Then she went away, and
Mr.. John Timmons was left once more
alone.
He took up the basket, drew out the
wooden skewer by which it was closed,
caught the herrings in bundle and threw
them behind him on the gritty earthen
floor. He opened the bag that lay be-
meath them and peered into it. Holding
it in his left hand upon his appraised thigh
he thrust his right hand into it and fun
bled about. bending his head down to
look the better. He was on the point OF
drawing something out when he suddenly
paused and listened motionless.
= .Jt's Stamer himself" cried Iimmons,
l., mnft1ed voice. Then he added:
"What does he want? More money? Any
way. / suppose must let him in.
He turned round, caught up the scat
tered red herrings, thrust them into the
bag, fixed it with the skewer and then
threw it carelessly on the hob OF the Oh
crate.
When the newcomer was inside the
door and the bolt drawn once more, lin
mons said, in slow, angry tone, ell,
Stamer. what do you want? Is bar
gain q bargain? You were not to come
here in daylight, and only in the dark
when something Of great Consequence
drought you. l gave your wife ali L Will
give lust now, if we are to go on work
ING on the cooperative principle. What
do you want:
The low-sized, round-shouldered man.
dressed in fustian and wearing two gold
rings on the little finger of his left hand,
said in a whisper:
.You're going to see this cove tonight!
eyes"
cat what o'clock!
midnight"
"Ah! 1t will be dark then!
"What news you tell us. 1t generally
As dark at midnight
care YOU going to take much OF the
stuC with you-much of the red stutf-of
the red herrings!"
T;mmons drew back a pace with start
and looked at Stamer suspiciously.
.sHave YOU come to save me the trouble
Obj Would you like to take it yourself?
Eb2 Did you come here to rob me?
MO-, tn share fair. Do you want to
throw I'D the great cooperative principle
Stamer's eyes winked quickly, and he
answered in tone of sorrow and re-
proach:
..You know I'm square. Tell me how
much stuff you are going to take with you
to-night"
About two pouhus.
..I'm sorry, gov'nor. for bothering you.
1,a Give my life for you. Look here,
ruy'nor, suppose he is not an honest man,
like me. He isn't in our cooperative
nlan. YOU know. Suppose he isn't partic-
Mar about how he gets mold of bit of
stuffY' -,
And tried to rob me-
"That's not what I'd mind!" He put
his hand to the back of his waistband.
"You know what l carry here. Suppose
he carries one, too?'
You mean that he may murder me
first and rob me after!
Stamer nodded
even, I'm very much obliged to you.
Stame~, indeed | am; but I'm not bit