The Neihart herald. [volume] (Neihart, Mont.) 1890-1901, 1897-08-07
PETER RICKETTS, HERO.
By KATE JORDAN.
copyright, 1897. by the Author.l
CHAPTER |.

l..
Broadway on morning early in Feb
ruary, 1860. Young Peter Ricket, an
actor in the theater OH Nassau street,
where he nightly appeared in 1.-THE
Beau In the Sudds,' started out for
walk. Even among the brilliantly plum
aged throng passing up and down be-
fore Trinity church ON that crisp Feb
ruary morning he was conspicuous
figure, for Peter was fop, and a great
many people considered him fool be-
cause Of his fancy for gay clothes. But
they were wrong, as you will see.
He wore cinnamon colored cloth
coat quite to the knees, with moth eat
ell beaver four or five inches deep upon
it, red breeches, dove colored hose, a
red satin waistcoat which had once
played conspicuous part in 1.-THE Re-
cruiting Officer" low buckled shoes,
bat of brown felt trimmed with sill
yer band, his periwig tied with faded
yellow ribbon. He poised cane light
ly in one hand; the other was thrust in
his breeches pocket, and he had exactly
Is. Sd. in his purse
Peter was of romantic, volatile dis
position. He loved the mysterious, the
adventurous. In the quiet of his little
room on Pearl street he had written a
dozen Unpublished romances, most of
them founded on Captain Kidd's ad-
ventures, and he scribbled sentimental
sonnets to mistress who as yet was
purely ideal. Humming line from
''The Beggar's OPERA he minced
along, twirling his cane after the man
ner of the men about town and watch
ing the scene about him with a lively
interest.
The middle of the street was covered
with hard, glittering snow, and Dutch
market women flew over it on skates,
baskets poised on their heads or strapped
to their backs. He caught glimpses of
sedate, puckered and powdered beauties
in sedan chairs Wealthy matrons
brushed by him in green and gold bro
cade, hoop petticoats, powdered hair
and cheeks touched with French red and
pearl powder. Negroes direct from
Abyssinia or Madagascar, some with the
insignia branded upon cheeks and brows
which told they were princes in their
own land, followed these rustling danes,
carrying their shawls and packages.
Besides these there was a bewildering,
cosmopolitan mixture of countrymen in
homespun-Indian servants, the prison
ers of war; solid, soberly attired Dutch
"vrows;" soldiers, Huguenots, Jews,
each in characteristic costume.
AS Peter passed the new cemetery
young man approached, dressed in a
queer, scallop hat and long cloak folded
closely about him and followed by a
tall Hindoo servant in native dress.
Peter stood still as his eyes fell upon
him. 1t was the stranger who had so
fascinated him at the playhouse every
night for the past fortnight. Who was
he, this strangely attired, dark eyed
man, wearing no wig and with close
cut hair, white as the untrodden snow
on the graves near by? He was undoubt-
edly young, despite his white hair and
the unalterable sadness of his gaze,
which was nevertheless eager as he
looked searchingly into the face of
every man who passed.
warrant me this man is of no COM
mon stamp mused Peter, his imagina.
tion aglow. ''His garb is strange, and
there seems to be history in his face.
would knew him. could not sleep
last night for thinking of him. It may
be he is Jesuit in hiding" And he
turned upon his heel and followed the
pair, who by this time had passed him.
AS they nearod John street there was
sudden oommotion among the crowd.
Women shrieked, a few tainted, and a
rush was made for the houses. Not far
ahead strange animal with foaming
jaws and glistening teeth could be seen
and behind it a shouting crowd. 1t was
only wildcat chased by score Of men
and boys carrying spikes, muskets and
bricks. 1t was nothing strange in those
days for an occasional hungry bear or
wildcat to leave the forests ON the up
per part of the island-that is, beyond
the gates at Warren street-and make
its appearance in the city, lean and raw
enous for food.
In the excitement Peter lost sight of
the interesting stranger. He espied the
Hindoo in the same plight, looking
wildly about him and pushing his way
among the excited people SO violently,
indeed, that he toppled headlong against
an apoplectio English grandee, who, be-
fore stepping into his chariot, was tax
ing pinch of snuff to quiet his nerves.
Without seconds delay the grandee
angrily turned and laid the Hindoo on
his face on the pavement.
''Puh, pohl I'll teach you, you dog,
to knock against gentlemanr" he
shouted, with an oath.
Peter darted to the Hindoo's side as
the chariot drove off and assisted him
to rise.
May, do not waste your curses on
him." said Peter Indignantly as he
wiped the snow from the Hindoo's
shoulders and replaced his turban. my
word, that man is beast. Pray, lei
me assist you to walk, and together we
will search for your master"
You know him? You know my mas
ter?' he asked curiously in excellent
English.
by sight only. Ah, yonder he
standsn' And Peter uncovered his head,
not because it was at all necessary to dc
30, but because he could not help il
when the strangers deep, kind eyes
rested ON him. Never had he seen q
man who SO fascinated him. What was
his subtle charm? And his voice as hi
thanked him for assisting his servant
in what way was it SO different from
any other voice he had ever heard? II
stirred his heart. He felt his cheel
hush, and when the stranger, with +,