Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-07-22

back with the money, and, as my Gu
riosity had eyaporated, she found me
putting my box in order.
There you are" she said. "one-aMd-
sixpence. haven't kept you long. and
II you are coming round this way In
about a fortnight's time you might call
again. l shall have my wages then,
as the master and missus are going
back to America, and l should like one
or two more to take home with me.
AS l before remarked, my partner is
Al in his profession. and you would
have thought so, too. If you had seen
him handle some of his inventions SO
beautifully. But he never patented
any of them, as he often said that such
a course made everybody as wise as
yourself. Moreover. he disliked noto-
riety, and so did l, too, l can assure
you.
The same evening we talked matters
over awhile more, and then, after sup
per ana a cigar, we both donned our
mackintoshes, into certain inside peck
cts of which we inserted few OF the
| before mentioned inventions.
When we started out it was begin
| ming to rain slightly but we did not
| mind that. and, strange to say, just
| about II o'clock we found ourselves at
! the side door of Dovecot terrace.
why, all is darkness, Bloggs. l
suppose they have gone to bed. Well,
| We won't disturb them, Ell. old man."
| He was very thoughtful, you see, for
| other people, was my partner, so he
| left me while l unfastened the door in
| the wall, and strolIed along the road a
| little way. after which he joined me
inside the little yard. when we closed
! the door once again, fastening it inside
| Good business so far, BlOggs. Now
| give me No. 2, and We will soon be
there. my boy"
No. , was one of those wonderful in
| ventions l have spoken about. and such
an insinuating work Of art was it that
in a very few minutes we both stood
| by the table on which had placed my
box the morning previous.
| Locating the door which led into the
! hall, we found it unfastened and like a
pair of specters we passed through,
and so on to the door. which led into
the front parlor. This door was fas-
tened.
Sorry to spoil our friends door,
Bloggs, but we shall be obliged to use
| No. = once more"
So No. was again manipulated by
my partner with such deXterity and
silence that the slight instrument soon
began to show its effect on the wood
work. inasmuch as a small shower of
sawdust was apparent, to our joint sat
isfaction.
My partner whispered again: "Now
for No. 3, Bloggs. Then turn the light
OH little more. and we won't be long
before we invite ourselves inside, and.
after our business is transacted, old
boy. why-hey. presto! BECOME"
| Necessarily ! stood quite close to my
partner as l lighted his operations.
| Were you ever in a railway collision
or pitched out of a balloon crash upon
mother earth?
| Perhaps not. but, anyhow, as my
senses began to return to me fancied
l had experienced both, and then
gradually opened my eyes. at the same
time trying to raise my hand to an
enormous lump which felt sure was
suddenly possessed Of.
Both my hands and arms were tight
ly secured to the chair was seated in,
and, turning my head, there was my
partner in the same predicament,
Feel better now, old fellow says
he, "after your lumber"
Ha! now l remembered. The sudden
glare Of electric light over our heads
and at the same instant sudden
swishing something landed round our
shoulders, and, with a tremendous
Jerk, down we both went crash on
the tiled flOor-then oblivion.
After that the dismal awakening,
tied up, and with the knowledge that
some good Samaritan, to bring me to
my senses, had insinuated about a
quart of water around my neck.
Good morning, gentlemen" said a
voice at my elbow. Sorry to interrupt
! you so suddenly at your work, but the
fact is the $3.50 pounds which l sup
pose you were expecting to find in the
escritoire was put by me into the bank
only to-day"
And the speaker. who had hitherto
been standing behind us, came in front
and regarded us with quiet twinkle
in his eye.
"Come here, lassie, and let me intro
duce you to our visitors" he said, as
he fiicked off the ash from sigar he
was smoking.
The "lassie," who was evidently his
wife, came to the front door also and
stood by the mans side.
He was altogether splendid speci-
men Of humanity; she, however, was
rather small built woman, but had
evidently plenty Of nerve, and by the
manner in which she handled a small
silver-mounted rife l was convinced
that she was able to use it.
"Gentlemen, this is my wife, the
champion lady shot. and for myself,
well, am supposed to throw lasso as