Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-11-11

S~.NSAA
countenance now showed the utmost
anger at his old clients speech, sud-
denly seized him by the neck and hust-
led him from the room. "The drunken
knave," he said, with great oath, "to
say that kept no Beaugency. Here,
captain" and he handed me litre,
with muchIstained glass, "here is
Beaugency that comes from More's own
cellars" and he looked knowingly at
me.
Not wishing to hold converse with the
fellow, I filled the glass, and then,
finging him a crown, babe him drink
the rest of the bottle for good luck. The
scoundrel drank it there and then, and
as soon as he had done so returned to
the charge.
at is good wine, Ell, captain?"
"It is" I answered dryly, but he was
not to be denied.
Monsieur is out early, see."
Monsieur is out late, you mean," l
made answer, playing my part and
longing for Pantin to return.
"Ho! ho!" he roared. "a good joke.
Captain, I do not know you, but tell me
your name, and curse me if I do not
drink your health in Arbois the day you
ride to Montfaucon."
"You will know my name soon
enough" answered, humoring the fell
low, "and l promise to send you the
Arbois the day ride there. may tell
you that it was to the Toison dor was
recommended by my friends, but your
Beaugency and your company are so
good, compere, that shall make this
my house to call during my stay in
the Fauborg ST. Martin" And at that
moment I caught sight of Pantin.
"There is another crown to drink to
our friendship, and, mind you, keep
as good a flask for me against my re-
turn at noon. Au revoir. have bust
ness at my lodging"
The wretch overwhelmed me with
thanks and stood at the door watching
me as 1 crossed over the street with q
warning glance to Pantin, and strolled
slowly onward. A little further on ]
turned TO my left, keeping well in the
middle of the road to avoid the filth and
refuse thrown carelessly on each side,
and as turned | saw that my man had
gone i'm. l was certain of one thing,
that the Toson dor was not far off,
and whilst picked my way slowly
along, Pantin came up to me with his
sing-song whine.
"Have you found it?" asked in low
tone.
NO." he sang out.
AT this moment figure rose up from
the steps of a house, where had no.
ticed it crouching a few steps from
me, and swung forward.
"Holal IT'S monsieur lie capitaine-
has your excellency tasted the Beau
gency-the dog poison? tell your ex-
cellency, there is but one house in the
Fauborg where they sell 1.-THE Toison
dor"
"Go and drink some there, then"
and I tossed him piece of silver.
He picked it up from the road where
it had fallen, like dog snatching at a
bone, and then stood surveying the
coin which he held in the open palm of
his hand.
"You might" he said, "they
wouldn't serve me-" and then with
drunken familiarity he came close to
my elbow. "I'll show you the Toison
dor. 1t is there-the second turn to
the left and then straight before YOU
AS for mel go back to taste Grigot's
Beaugency-his dog poison" he repeat,
ed with the spiteful insistence of a man
in his cups.
"The fool in his folly speaReth wis,
DOM" Pantin muttered under his
breath, and then the man, staggering
from me, attempted to go back whence
he had been flung. But either the
morning air was too strong for him, OF
else he was taken with seizure of some
kind, for ere he had gone ten PAGES he
fell forward on his face and lay there
in the slime of the street.
At any other time 1 would have
stopped to assist the man, but now
could only look upon his condition a
direct interpositlon of Providence
and let him lay where he had fallen.
"Come, Pantin," cried, 1--WE hay,
round the spot.
Following the direction given by ou7
guide, we found he had not deceived us
| and in few minutes l was standing a
the entrance of the blind passage a
one end of which was the Toison dor
AT last came opposite the Toisol
dor. The gate leading into the littl
court was shut, and so was every win
dow facing the street. The signboar'
was swinging sadly over the closed door
and at the first glance it looked as
| the house was deserted. would trus
as little to chance as possible. passe
slowly on, and found that the Toisol
dor joined on to another but muc
smaller house, which had its bound Sc
to it by the wall that crossed the street
The sash of window on the top stor
of the house was up, and as I came u
to it the front door swung open and
full in the face. AS my glance passe
him, saw that the door opened into
room that was used apparently as
shop for all kinds of miscellaneous al
ticlcs, and the man himself would hav
stood well for the picture of thieves
| fence, which, indeed, he was.
"a good morning, captain" he sale
will you buy-or have you come t
sell?" he asked, dropping his voice.
AS he spoke Pantin came up and be
gan to importune the man from SAT
distance to purchase his wares; but bt
| yond n curse had no further attentiO
paid him; and with a disappointed nj