Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1897-02-13
q eulorIss Him for hIs honorable con.

/
duct. Never in his life before had the
reverend gentleman received seven such
tlattcring communications He did not,
in the least, understand what they
meant; but still they put him In an ex-
cellcnt humor. Honorable? Certainly,
acting on his nephew's advice, he had
given him checks for distribution
among the seven tradesmen on the pre-
vious day; but, that WINS only a settle
ment-rathcr tardy one into the bar
gain-of his just debts. There was
nothing extraordinarily honorable In
thp.. Still It IL always nice to be nc
knowledged honorable, especially by
your enemies. And when the vicur had
finished reading the seventh letter he
was In very good temper indeed.
At that fortunate moment knock
came Mt his study door, and Frank en-
tered. Seeing the expression on his
uncle's face, and acquiring thercfrom
the best results, he lost no time In max
ing his momentous confession about
Amy. The vicar exclaimed. He
hummed and hawed. But he WINS In a
heavenly temper; and he ended by Civ
ing his consent.
This 10 how Frank Miller had worked
his little scheme. Sidney Perks was the
solicitor whom he had come across In
town; and. In certain dealings with him,
Frank had learnt some facts about
Perks, by communicating which to the
proper authorities, he could have
brought him to the bur OF the Old BAILEY.
Perks had tried TO obviate such pos
sibility by promptly clearing out Of
town. Curiously enough he had be-
taken himself to the very place Of which
Franks uncle was vicar.
Armed with these irresistible nrgu-
mcnts, Frank had, on the morning Of
Valentines day. gone straight to Perks
Office, and. under threat OF setting the
police on to him Immediately, had made
two demands, to which, utter some use
less demur, Perks was fain to consent.
The frat demand was. that he should
write out and hand over to Trunk re-
ceipts for the seven accounts. The Sec
ond, that he should leave Winfield
within IL hours. Upon these conditions,
he should he left to escape and lose him
self, unmolcsted. Frank was inexora-
lie, and Perks was not In position to
resist. So both demands were complied
with.
Franks next step, two days later,
was to 60 round and see the tradcsmen.
informing them that the vicar had duly
paid their accounts to Perks, and pro-
ducing the receipts; he also advised
them lin friendly wny) to look sharp
after their money, as ugly rumors were
current about Perks. md he WINS said to
have bolted. Those concerned
lost no time In hurrying round to Perks
office, where he was not; and thence to
his house, which (his servant told thrm)
he had quilted hurriedly two days be-
fare. "Where had he gomez" Tie
hadn't left no address," Their, indeed,
was bitter lamentation and cutlery heard
among the swindlcd shopkeepers. Then
it was that the vicar (a!l unknown to
himself) had "acted so honorable and
like gentleman" by writing the checks
for the seven accounts and handing
them to Frank 10 distribute. This
astutc young man Ind left the trudes-
men under the impression that, In order
to save them from loss, his uncle had
paid their accounts twice over; and had
dcscanted. In rather strong terms, upon
this truly Christian return o! good for
evil.
Frank did not ncquaint his uncle with
these little mysteries until he was just
starting on his honeymoon. And us. by
that time. the vicar had tasted the
sweets OF six months popularity In the
perish, and found It exceptionally agree
able. he saw no reason to forfeit 1t. at
this late hour, by any useless dis
losures.-London Truth.