The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-07-29

Scratching" said Kent, making motion
as If writing. Too handy with my peg"
"Hrll gihye shake-down. Come hale>,
wi me. Hi don't never do sieh a thing wi
a stranger, but you seem q very proper lad.
hand Hill manage to take care hof We
till mornin' hand then we'll see " at we kin
do
Kent took hold of the ex-pugilist's arm
again, and they started for No. 1873. Jena
resumed his "reminiscences
They entered No. 1913 after Jem had
some little difficulty with the key-hole and
found themselves in what had possibly hen
intended for physicians Office. but vs.
Jem's living room. Prints of Tom Savers
Aaron Jones, Tom liver, Heenau. Yank.s
Sullivan and other fstic heroes were ON thu
walls, inteEspersed with autographs of psta-
bic horses. A couple of savage bull-doss
had reused up at the sound of the kew in
the door, but quieted as Jem entered aad
gave each kick. They lay down again.
but Kept their fierce eyes fixed on Kent. an-
I'll drowslness oveTcame them. On the
mantelpieee lay couple of heavy revolvsrs.
ana BOXES OF cartridges mingled with pipes
anu 'ooaeco boxes On the chimney pises
was stretched faded silk hanrikerchisf
made IN resemblance of the English f3av'
| Underneath was another of dipry green
with the harp of Ireland emblazoned in
furnished gilt.
Tie hupper one WIZ nv eolors VIA,
iii Wiped Pat Murray" said Jem. noticing
| approyingly the direction of Kept's look
Ihe lower one wuz is, witch Hi winnsdn
| Il roll OF white silk in one corner evil
uehtly served Jem for a towel he washed
IN "a Dowl OF hne china, while an elegant
silver water-pitcher did duty as a ever
mere were other things which indicated to
heht that the house was used as depositary
for stolen goods, but he feared to paw too
much attention to his SURROUNDINGS for tina
present.
Jem was still OVERLOOKING with bis
prize ring "reminiscences He had ortv
got to the opening Of his fight with PAT
Murray when they entered. He upeorked
the whisky bottle, poured ont stift
dram for himself and smaller one for
Kent, who made a pretense of slipping ID.
but turned the rest into Jem's own glass.
when the latter got down on his knees to
open MS trunk and get out lot of finger
soIied copies of Bells Life and the London
sporting Times containing his pictures and
accounts of his battles He was getting
more friendly and communicative with
Kent every minute, while the latter was
|
drafts OF liquor, hoping that they would
soon reduce him to an unconscious stupor.
but fearing that they might take the other
turn, and make him ugly and pugnacious.
Kent used all his arts to ingratiate himself
and so far with good effect. He read aloud
to Jem the descriptions of his battles. which
proved to be the completion of the con-
quest for Jem could not read himself. and
had to rely on his visitors Never befoss
had he heard them read SO we'll and he
grew ELUSIVE.
l. I've bin very good to me, me iad,n
he said, after Kent had read until his eyes
and his throat ached and his ears were
stunned Dy the long assaults of Jem's harsh,
cultural voice reciting his triumps, trials,
and wrongs. HIM goin' to gi' We the very
best room hin the 'ouse to sleep hin. Ye
kin rest there snug as bug hin rug. vii
no fear hof the cops, nor hany one helse.
Hits were the top swell sleeps wen ie's
ERE"
Kent's heart leaped He felt that he was
going to be taken to Ragabert's own room.
Lighting matches from time to time to show
the way, Jem conducted Kent to the front
room on the second floor. BY the light of
the match Kent could see that this was o
comfortably furnished and rather neat bed
room. He longed to have Jem go, and DO
left to examine il at his leisure But Jem
said:
jest 'op into that bed there You don't
need hany glTm,. and you couldn't ave
hauy, for we don't show no lights haboys
the basement ere. 'Tisn't safe"
Jem turned and thumped back down.
stairs.
Kent was sorely disappointed, but he re-
| npcfe1 that yr0uld ha I'm n favu boura till
daylight, when he could have all the OPP
portunity he wanted. He was very tired,
anyhow. He threw himself down on the
bed without removing his clothes, and in an
/ instant as fast asleep.
| ITO he