The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1898-06-23

A GENTLEMAN'S SON !
Copyright. 1905 7
BY CHARLES B.LEWIS

county Oh ouHOik, England, ana we
were agreed, as were also several of
his relatives and friends, that no sane
man could mistake me for him. In
height there is a difference of two
inches; in weight of Is pounds. He
has black hair and eyes, while mine are
light, and if fortune depended on it
no ore could trace the slightest family
resemblance, and yet, strange as it
may seem, our Identities got mixed UP
once upon time in way very un-
pleasant for me.
| was in London concert hall one
evening when man of middle age and
good address took occasion to speak to
me- and bring about a conversation. He
did not seem to regard me as a stranger
to London, yet mentioned several
places of interest which he thought |
might wish to visit. We both left the
hall at once, talking as we went, and
on reaching the street walked for sew
eral blocks in company. We had halt
ed and were about to separate when
my friend was addressed by man in
cab which had been rolling along
at an easy pace and stopped at the
curb. ] moved off after "good-night."
and had gone half block when was
cvertaken by both men. My friend of
the evening had given his name as
Saunders and he introduced the other
as Albright. l was asked if | did not
wish to visit an opium den near by,
m. .,ch ro}rn-;yaI hv-t ho :efo
and as the hour was still early and
hadn't the least fear of my two ac-
quaintances, we set off arm in arm.
The walk extended over five blocks,
ard as we mounted the steps Of what
looked like private house in a semi
respectable street. made inquiry rs
to the location. One of the men an
swered that it was Ransom street. and
just then the door opened and we en-
tered dimly lighted hall. TIE at
terdant waved his hand for us to pass
M PAIRS, and we went up two flights,
down long passage ard entered a
back room. This room was plainly
furnished and lighted by single lamp.
1t was occupied by middle-aged,
well-dressed man, who was reading a
book as we entered. He laid bis book
down and looked up. but did not rise.
AS we stood before him Mr.. Saunders
said:
Mr.. Wakeman, l have brought a
gentleman who wishes to have little
chat with you on business affairs. You
will find him very pleasant man to
talk to, and when the business is con-
cluded we will return to escort him to
his lodgings"
The two men were gone before
fairly realized what had been said;
and after few seconds the man at
the table motioned me to chair ard
calmly said:
"Mr. Fisher, it gives me great pleas
ure to meet you, and if you are the
man | take you for we shall conclude
our business in satisfactory manner.
Owing to circumstances over which
have no control ! am compelled to ask
for loan of s2,00O. AS soon as Your
check has been honoretl, which will be
Us soon as the bank opens tomorrow,
you will lee at liberty TO depart. There
is sherry in that Gecanter, Mr.. Fisher,
and here are some excellent cigars.
Make yourself comfortable while we
talk"
l stared at him for awhile. wonder
Ing if had been led into trap; then
/ asked him why he called me Mr..
Fisher and what he meant by loan.
He smiled in reply, and lighted a cigar
and made himself comfortable in his
chair as he said:
ENplanations are always in order,
Mr.. Fisher. We have made no mistake
in bringing you here. You are young
man Of means. We want some of your
money-s2 1000. You will be kept a
prisoner in this room until you sign a
check and that check is cashed. We
rented this house with that object in
view, and we can wait year if neces-
sary. We have been planning for two
months, and as we have been to con-
siderable expense and trouble, and the
money is to be divided between three
OF lis, you will realize that our demand
Is moderate one. Light cigar, Mr..
Fisher. You take matters coolly, and
am glad of it,
] helped myself to cigar and began
10 feel easier IN my mind. They had
trapped the wrong man, and had but
70 identify myself to be told to walk
out ! told them that my name was
uleson, net Fisher. If he was under
the impression that was an English
man he was mistaken. l was an Amer
lean, and had been in London only a
month. l was lodging in Red Prince
square, and people there would corrob-
crate my statements. If the idea was
70 extort money from me we could very
soon reach figure, as had only few
0andred dollars to turn over.
There is no bed here, but the lounge
Is quite comfortable" said the man as
ne rose up. You don't know yourself
] s0-cight, but memory may return with