The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-04
CHAPTER Ill

The more dashing spirits usually assembled
in force at the bar of the Goat on Satur-
day evening, because the day of rest en-
abled them to recover from the strain and
fatigue of their weekly excitement. Mr..
Still sat in his usual place by the door,
next to Burkenshaw. the sexton. Mr..
Pyke, who kept the saddlers shop, and who
was looked up to as a man of broader views
and an authority on matters of sport.
monopoliZed the armchair on the right-hand
side, whilst other prominent inhabitants
lOunged before the bar at convenient points,
and in convenient poses. The air was pun
gent with the odor of shay tobacco sat
urated with the mawkish sweetness of beer
and penetrated by the smell of paraftine.
The evening was Sultry, and the men were
in their shirt sleeves.
THAT were largish party over from
Bayport to-day" Pyke observed to the
Yes. but it doesn't mean business said
the landlord contemptuously. "A tea-drink-
in lot that brings its own sandwiches
isn't of no account to me-.
What can you expect from charyban?'
asked Still, contemptuouSly, who resented
vehicular innovations.
Because a man rides in one o. those
Bayport cars it don't follow that he doesn'
take his beer. I'm against nothing that
brings business into the town, even if it
don't come my way" said the Sadder, who
occasionally supplied a new trace when a
charabanc came to grief at the bottom of
the Castle hill, and could, therefore, afford
to be generous.
ITS my opinion" said the landlord, re-
fiectively, that these excursions, so long
as they are not blue ribbon, should be en-
couraged. Where's there ruins like ours,
should like to know-or air for the matter
trains there from London. There amt
enough life in this blessed place. Do we. L
ask, make the best of attractions? To
my thinkin we ought to provide amuse-
ment for the visitors
so we did" said Burkenshaw whose pro-
fession required light gayety as an alterna-
tive. IAN / told the vicar
And what did ne say?" asked Still.
Well" replied Burkenshaw slowly, "he
said, why don't you ask the Salvation
Army to come? They'll amuse YOU!
We don't want none o that nonsense ..5,e,r Sc, =
said the landlord, apprehensively, They. d
they did the Jolly Sailors at Bayport''
But while. they were discussing the ,spir-
tied campaign that had lately vexed the
neighboring watering place a stranger
stepped in from the gloom of the street and
advanced to the bar.
ing with emphasis, but don't give me no
He stGP}pedf o and looked opGeG at the
Certainly" said the latter up with
religion and down with tyranny"
The mans voice and gait harmonized i'll
with mis- blue jersey, peaked cap and loose
1T seems, he continued, that 1 have
arrived here in the midst of an interesting
I'VE were talking of the Salvation Army "
mate said brawny quarryman.
Indeed said the stranger. "A most IN
teresting religious revival, no doubt. Unfor-
| tunately, 1 have been abroad and had no op-
| porunity of profiting by this popular form
| of piety. Are, you captain in the blessed
"A captain. indeed!' said the other, indig-
nantly. Not me. But what did you or
The landlord perceived tine mockery in the
strangers voice and resented it.
The Stranger slightly diluted it with water
and then drained his glass Then he glanced
round the bar at the group silently watch
you're queer sort o. sailor" said the
landlord, unable to recover from his an
noyance.
Every son Of a beer-swilling gun in this ban
ought to stand up and take off his cap tc
me 1t is only owing to the clemency of my
forefathers that any of you are here
why, what do you mean?' said the land
lord .u - a,,,n,, = 100 ,,o,,n.
and the thing would have been DONE
go alongi" retorted the landlord, turn
ing his back on the stranger Il like to hear
a man talk sense. / do
Our host has no imagination" said the
stranger turning to Still, whe was sucking
his extinct pipe in aStonishment; Perhaps
cestor of mine hung rash citizen of this
ancient town on Huberts tower as an object
lesson to the neighhorhood not to thwart g
Warlock. We We're. and 1 may say still
You'd better talk to the vicar said
Burkenshaw, breaking the silence. He
can tell you all about that hanging on HUI
be"t's tower.
II fancy your Wears a poor relative OF
mine What's his name?" asked the stranger
slipping his whisky and glancing round
furtively. A brown beard covered his
tanned face his features were regular and
handsome, in spite of eyes which. set close
IN together, gave a sinister expression to his
'sWarlock " said the sexton.
'Warock! Then he is poor relative OF
You're Joking mate" said Still You
amt a Warlock They're all dead"
Sir Hugo Warlock would be my title il
extreme modesty permitted me TO claim it,
said the stranger.
There's another Warlock-a lady-lodg-
ing here in the town, with her little girl,
said Still.
The man started.
"A friend of the vioar's?" he asked
Yes. and of his son, tco, said Pike sig
''' us the child about seven?" asked the
stranger.
Yes said Still
What's the lady lilxe?"
"A most personable young lady. Tall
tfarkish-gray eyes, white teeth; very
handsome lady in fact. She lodges in the
High street. at Everton's.
Then the stranger paid for his drink and
quickly left the bar.
"A queer fish, said the landlord. What
you call decayed gentleman. suppose
The church clock struck the half hour
The air was sultry: masses Of black clouds
rolling in from the south, were Slowly