The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1897-05-12


~ the train moved
away that he would
write in the course
~ of a day or two.
@1 remembered hi m
~ well-a seedy look
ing figure in q we'll worn brown over.
coat, rather dirty collar round his
throat, and an old topper that had
done duty for many rainy day. and
was past ironing. A merry.hearted,
good-natured fellow was Rudge; ever
empty of pocket and open OF heart !;
rather weak-minded, and easily i'm
posed upon.
He never kept his promise of writ
ing, and for eight years had heard
nothing of him, when, not long ago, a
rap came at my door, and in came
Charlie Rudge, exclaiming:
"Hullo, old chap, how are you?"
"Rudge! Why. who on earth would
have thought of seeing You?"
'Didn't know you were in town,
Did boy, or I'd have come before. Saw
your name in some paper the other
day and your address. So here am. 4"
AS We talked over old times 1 OBJ
served him curiously. Just the same
Did Rudge, with the addition of a
heavy moustache. His hat was exactly
like the same old topper, very napless F.;
his collar might have been the iden-
tical one he had on when last saw
him, while his shirt front and frock
coat were rivaling each other in de-
crepit old age. asked him to lunch.
At first he could not stay, having q
most important engagement in the
city, where ho was about, it appeared,
to preside over board of directors.
The same old liar Afterward he re-
Tented and did stay, saying the meet
ing could wait.
We talked of many things. He had
apparently tried most occupations and
mastered none. Now he was on GER.
lain company promoting schemes,
which, he said, was risky work, as he
had TO chance losing large sums OF
money. glanced at his shabby coat
Where was he living? At Brixton,
and must go over and dine with him
On Thursday evening. really must.
''Got bachelor dIggings, don't you
know, old chap, and we'll have a rare
Did time of it,"
So | accepted. Then he told me he
was engaged to a "fine girl, old chap.
Awfully lucky fellow to get her. When
am l going to be married? Not quite
sure, but between you and me, fancy
shall make stroke of luck soon, and
then-oh, say, you shall be best
man you must. Amy'll be delighted,
She's splendid girl. Money! Oh,
she's bit down on her luck now.
Clever girl, though. Does typewrit
ing-well, l must say good bye now,
Don't forget Thursday, old chap"
On Thursday went over to Brixton
and after considerable wandering
reached o small back street anC
knocked at a dingY door, which was
opened by slatternly looking woman
who showed me into room where
mine host awaited me. A curtain
hung across this room, barely conceal
ing bed and washstand.
"How are you, old chap? Hope
you don't mind small diggings, but
they're awfully comfortable. Just one
room, you see; find it handler thar
having a separate bedroom-no fae
going from one room to the other
Wen have supper in a trice. Hop,
you don't mind cold collation?"
The "cold collation." shortly revealed
itself upon a grimy table cloth, anC
consisted of small meager slices o
cold beef, bottle OF mixed pickles
some bread and about three ounces o
cheese.
"Mrs. Wilkins" cried Rudge, a
that inestimable parsonage was leaving
the room after having laid the abov
banquet and scattering some knive
and forks promiscuously upon th
table, "we shall want some coffee
please. Would you kindly get IL
some. You'll have some, won't you
old chap"
1 nodded. Mrs. Wilkins stood wit
her arms akimbo and scowled.
"Where's the money, Mister Rudge {?
ooh, certainly, certainly, Mrs
wilkins. Why, dear me, pom my sou
| haven't got anything less than
sovereign" Mrs. Wilkins shifted
"Eh? Well, if you don't mind lend
ing me a shilling, old boy. Thank
awfully."
Rudge did the honors of the mea
in truly aristocratic style. He becam
exceedingly confding:
"Now, old chap, Pm going to tel
you a secret aud put you on to a goo'
thing in the bargain. I've chummet
up lately with fellow named Mars
worth, who's an awfully clever chal
and up to all sorts of tips. Well, he
got one or two of us to go shares will
him IN grand scheme. l'm not a
liberty to tell you exactly what it is
but it's big affair. He knows NOR
about the ins and outs of eompan,
promoting than | do, and he's jus
started a syndicate for booming tn