The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1898-12-08

! illuh can manage the case. 80, II
you will consider yourself off duty
With regard TO every thing else, and
make the next twenty fours tell in
that direction, you will place me un
| der an ALLEGATION which | shah re
member
Norway laughed and departed on
his mission. He went home and
dressed as carefully as possible, and
then took a car to the west side. Here
on one Of tie pleasantest streets, Ia a
large, magnificent mansion with cor
responding grounds, lived Mr.. Amos
BerthOld, d wealthy. retired merchant.
formerly in the India trade II
another section of the town lived 2
brother and former partner, and the
two brothers had quarreled bitterly
there being some little domestic scan
lal involved in the affair. The higL
standing of both parties mad called
particular attention to the matter
and public curiosity had risen to a
high pitch, the latter Of which many
Of the daily papers had attempted to
assuage by hints and coDjectures; but.
as yet, nothing was definitely known.
1t requires certain degree of
nerve power to cody seek admission
to mans house with the avowed in
tentiOn of learning, if possible, what
that man distinctly desires to conceal,
and Norway felt the truth of this
more forcibly than be had in any for
mer experience of the kind. as he
walked up the granite steps ana rang
the bell. 4 colored man answered
the summons, and promptly replied
to Dir. NOrway's inquiry if Mr.. Bert
hold was in, that he was. but would
see no one. Thus delayed, but not
discouraged, Norway took brisk
walk and returned in half an hour
with the same erraud This time
very pretty waitress opened the door
She gave the same report as had her
predecessor.
But l think be will see me; my
business is very important" srld Nor
way, persnasively. AT least be so
kind as to take up my card And
see-for your trouble, allow me to
present yOu with few bangles"
He dropped five little shining gold
dollars into the girls hand; and,
whether 1t was the master stroke Of
the bangles. or the winning smile
that accompanied the gift, the girl.
after a moments hesitation, allowed
him to enter, and seated him in
small reception room.
After few minutes of waiting, a
portly apoplectic looking gaDtleman
IN dressing gown and slippers entered
studying the card with a bored ex
preston.
Il don't remember you, Mr.. Nor
way" he began. unceremoniously
But I'm told your business is very
important. What can / do for you?"
Il have the honor. sir" said Nor
way, seriously and gently, "of repre-
sertiGg the Pro aud Con. | have
called for the purpose of taking, if
such is your pleasure. a statement
from you in regard TO-
Statement. | say statement"
burst forth the irate old gentleman,
forgetting in his wrath to be gram
matical. ''Do You take me for ma
tdral idiot? Let me tell you, young
man, for your own benefit, that Eve
had sixteen reporters kicked down
the steps; yes, sir, and into the street.
within three days. The longer it
takes you to get ont of this house, the
more help you will be likely to re
ceive on the way james,
The black servant appeared. Nor
way walked quietly into the hall,
took his hat from the rack. and with
his hand on the door knob, said, with
that firm and courteous manner so
hard for even the most violent to in
terrupt:
Mr.. BerthOld, [ came here in your
own interest, and in about (he con
suited his watch IAN hour and a half
[ shall return with the same object in
view, when | shall receive from your
own hands written statement for
publication in the Pro and Con
Good day, sir"
Without waiting to note the effect
If his parting words, he closed the
dU0r behind him, and, hailing a cal,
was driven to the residence of Mr.
Hezekiah Berthold, in another part
Of the town. Here, through chance,
admission was easy, for, AS Mr. Bert
hold was expecting a lawyer, the
maid took it for granted that Norway
was he, and admitted him without a
question. Mr. Berthold, a tall, thin,
stately gentleman, sitting in a cozy
library before "a bright CRATE fire, OBJ
served his visitor with surprise but
no evident qualification
Mr.. Bertholi," said Norway, Il,
as representative Of the Pro aud Con,
bave called to solicit from you state
meut in regard to the little matter,
hints Of which are now floating about
town. The Fro and Con desires to
publish nothing but truth, and it is
for this reason that | nave intruded
upon you in person.
Il have nothing whatever TO say to
you," said Mr.. Berthold, with a cold
glare. Il do not consider it naces-
sary that my private affairs shall be
made the subject of public discussion
| desire you to leave immediately:
uilNl otS lOl Tue ~ dutt 1Oli, To WDlCu
l am a subscriber, shall stop the
paper"
Very well, sir, said Norway. cour-
teously. He bowed and seemed abou.
to cave the room, when second
thought presented itself. He paused
ard added Incidentally:
Il called in the hope that you
M ght leave with me some slight ex
preston, at least, of your views in the
case, in oIder that our article may be
As fair as possible. l have just left
the residence of your brother. MIR.
Amos Berthold. and am going back
iii half an hour to receive his state
meUt, add"
What. what. my brother writing a
statement did you say?' cried Mr.
Berthold, rising excitedly. Aha!
Sit down. young man, sit down"
Norway sat down. As ne did so he