Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1897-01-17
DAsHING PRIVATE SECRETARY.


self buttonholed by one Of the party
organizers, with the request that
should go down to Lancashire without
delay and put in good word for Col
onel Spriggs, who was loyal member
but little irascible and no orator.
The next morning, with my leather
bag packed full of political literature
(which included the handbook of can
didates) l was on my way to Sprigg
place.
After several attempts to break
through the taciturnity of my fellow
passengers, | got into conversation with
a stolid agriculturist. Thinking | had
gained his confidence, gave him leaf
let which indicated the measures our
party had brought forward He pro-
duced his spectacles, lesurely wiped
them with a red (white-spotted) hand
kerchief. perused the leaflet and read
for a quarter of an hour. His face
meanwhile was immovable as if cut in
gritstone
That's rare lot of CANNON he said
quietly, handing back the paper, and
taking the spectacles off his nose. 1t
won't do down here, with wheat at ~
shillings a quarter
Nor could | get another word out
of him. Throughout the journey l
found the same disinclination to talk.
I was quite disheartened as the
groom. who had awaited my arrival at
Deepborough, drove me to his master 5
house. | felt that my elOquence would
be of no avail against the stony
strength of local connection; that my
impassioned words would be hurled
against the granite minds in vain.
Colonel Spriggs gave me hearty
welcome in the hall, apOlogizing, with
a whimsical glance at his equity foot,
for his absence at the station. He was
a tall broad-shouldered, ruddy man,
apparently about 60.
Il have given instructions for early
dinner" he said, limping and wheeling
before me to the door OF my room
you have travelled a long distance
neither soldier or politician can Work
on an empty stomach.
The dinner was excellent in appoint
ment. but to my surprise it was not
served in the dining room. 1t was piac-
ed on a round table in the colonel S
I
study.
The study had the appearance or a
candidates committee room The long
tables beneath the windows were heap
ed with election literature, and with
wildly colored cards bearing my most
portrait and the words: Vote Tor the
Colonel Good trade and prosperity.
was admiring one of these tiorld
nictures and wondering how the odor
Of printing ink would blend with the
flavor of soup. when | heard the rustic
of a voman's dress and voice IKE a
mans saving: Il have sent out the
circulars and arranged the meetings,
sir.
ooh. here's my secretary" remarked
Snriggs Let me introduce you. Miss
Flint. Mr.. Whitworth.
I bowed. So did the lady. =,
you'd better dine with us, Dorothy
said the colonel. This gentleman has
com. down from headquarters to help
me You can tell him what you have
done. and what you think OF my pros
pects.'
"Wl y the deepest pleasure she re-
piled il deep, gutteral tone.
NV gaze wandered to the right-hand cor
ner of the blotting pad. 1t is one Of my
accomplishments that l can, like any
nrinter. read type or handwriting upside
down. and as I Iazily. then eagerly, de-
cinhered topsy-tmvey caligraphy on the
blotting paper / gave n low whistle OF
surprise There was no doubt ABOUT IT,
! took the top sheet Of the blotting paper
pad. turned it over and held it to the light
Dorothy had given another proof OF her
| resource.
In five minutes boxer was saddled ana
I was on his back. The roadster covered
/ three miles with a sweeping stride ana
there was not a feck of foam on MS DIT
when he carried me over the smooth
stones of Deepboro market place.
drew rein at the piazza that kept the
afternoon sun out of the old-fashioned
bank-the house of Handforth, Rutt d co.
rs the manager within?" l asked, try
ing to speak calmly.
NO, sir ! am in charge the remainder
of the day" replied the clerk.
you have had one of Colonel Spriggs
checks presented this afternoon?'
yes"
did you pay it?"
ooh. yes; fortunately It was market day,
or | could not have met it,"
Unfortunately. you mean. Because 1t
was a forgery"
Never exclaimed the middle-aged
gentleman. disturbed from his official
quietude and speaking with dry lips and a
tremor of frame.
He thrust his hand into the drawer and
spread the check before me for inspection.
1t looked genuine enough.
ITS all right, sir. l could swear to the
coloners signature anywhere said the
clerk
Nonsense" I retorted. THE signature
has no flourish. The s. is altogether diff
| ferent and the 'g's' are not the colonel $.
I'm sure I'm right" l continued. The
check is dated to-day. The colonel could
not possibly have written it. He IS at
: Tupton bridge, miles away
/ MY God. I'm ruined!' moaned the clerk
/ great drops of sweat breaking out and
cleaning on his forehead as if in mockery
Of his trouble.
Not quite" 7 blurted out. You paid
the money to a masculine kind of wo-
MANI
Yes. sir. you have accurately described
her. She came in the coloners dog cart
and was certainly imperious
Get police officer and follow me to the
station"
The train ran into the station rs I pull
ed up on the gravel. Sprlggs' groom was
there with the dogcart. In reply to my
swift inquiry he said Miss Flint was go
ing away-to hunt up doubtful voters.
hurried upon the platform, and saw to
nv annoyance that that the train was on