The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-05-14
CHAPTER XVIII.

CHAPTER XVIII.
what are you trying, to dor Why do you
fall over a man like that? Are you drunk"
sweetwater drew himself UP. made a sheep
ieh bow and muttered pantingly:
Excuse me. sir. I'm in a hurry; I'm a mos
seneer."
The man who was not in a hurry"seemed
dlsposed to keep him for a moment. He had
caught sight OF S~weetwater's eye. which was
his one remarkable feature. and he had also
been impressed by that.word messenger. for
he repeated It with some emphasis.
"A messenger. Ell? Are you going on a mes-
sage now?"
Sweetwater. who was anxious to get away
from the. vicinity OF, Mr.. Stone. shrugged his
shoulders In careless denial. and was pushing
on whom the gentleman: again:detained him.
DO you know" said he. that 1 like your
looks? You are not a beauty. but you look
like a fellow who.:if he promised to do a thing.
would do it. and do 1t mighty we'll, too"
Sweetwater could not. restrain a certain
movement OF pride. He was honest. and he
knew 1t. but the fact had not always been
recognized as openly.
Il have Just earned SIS by doing a-commis-
sion for a man" said ne.with a straightforward
look. See. sir. 1t was honestly earned"
The man. who was young and had a rather
dashing:but inscrutable' physioGnomy. glanced
NJ u COlu CWcCLNdicl buOWCu hllh dlu .
trayed a certain disappointment.
so you're flush" said he. Don't want an
other Iob?"
'Oh. as to that" said S~wsetwater. sdging
slowly down:the.street. I'm always ready for
business. Five'dollars won't last forever. and.
besides. I'm in need Of new toys
We'll. rather" retorted the other. carelessly.
following him. D you mind going up to
Boston,"
Boston! Another Jump toward:home.
: No" said Sweetwater hesitating,y. not II
It's made worth my while. Do you want your
message delivered today"
AT once. That Is. this evening. It's a task
Involving patience and more or less shrewd
judgment. Have you these qualities. my
friend? One would not Judge it from yoIr
clothes"
Il don't know. sir" laughed Sweetwater.
Life was growing very interesting all at once.
Il know 1t takes patience to wear them. and
as for judgment. / didn't choose them, sir;
they fell to me promiscuous like rs a sort Of
legacy from friends. You'll see what I'll do
in that way:ii you give mo the chance'to earn
an extra ten"
"Ah. it's SO you want. We'll. come In here
and have a drink and then well see."
They were before n saloon OF less than
humble pretensions. and as he followed the
young gentleman in 1t struck him that 1t was
HUI sen IdtHtT Juan SsWtll-uTcsSeu anu ar
companion who would be expected to drink
here. But he made no remark. though he in
tended to surprise the man by.his temperance.
Now. look here said the young gentle
man. suddenly seating himself at a dingy.table
in a very black corner.and motioning Sweet
water to do the same. I've been looking for a
man all day to go up to Boston for me. and I
think you'll do. You know Boston,"
Sweetwater:had great command over him.
.Hlf l"t T.. n 4 . 81 tht, ,natl
though It was 80 dark where he sat with this
man that 1t made very little difference.
Il have been there said he,
Very well. then. you will go again. To-
night you will arrive there about 7. you will go
the rounds OF some half dozen places whose
names will give you. and when you como
across a certain gentleman whom l will de-
scribe to you you will give him.
Not package?" Sweetwater broke out with
q certain sort Of dread Of a repetition of his
late experience.
No.. this alp on which three words are
written. He will want one more word. but be-
fore you give 1t to him you must ask for your
elG. You'll get them" he answered In re-
sponse TO a glance 81 suspicion from Sweet-
water. Sweetwater was convinced that he had
got hold OF another Job. 1t made him a little
serious. DO l look like n go-betweon for
crooks" he asked himself. I'm afraid I'm not
D uuucIlOl q buCCtSS uS L Wv u iHJoCIl' u
he said to the man before him: Ten dollars
IA small pay for such business. Twenty-Five
would be nearer the mark"
Very we'll. he will give you S25. I forgot
that SO was bu%t.little in advance OF your OK
penses."
Twenty five II l find him and he Is In
. funds. What II l don't?
Nothing
"Nothingf"
Except your ticket. That I'll give you"
sweetwater did not know what to say. Like
I the preceding job:it might be innocent and II
might not. And then he did not like going to
boston. where he was liable to meet moro
wan one who knew him.
There is no harm in the business" said
tAe other carelessly. pushing a glass OF whis7
koy which had Just been served him toward
~Sweetwater. Il would even be willing to do it
myself. il | could leave New Bedford tonight.
but | cant. Come. rs easy as crookinG
Your elbow."
Just now you said 1t wasn't" growled the
other, drinking of his glass. But no mat
te about that. Go ahead. I'll do l.. Shall l
nave 10 buy other clothes?'
i I'D buy a new pair Of trousers" suggested
The other. The rest YOU can get in Boston.
You don't want to he. too much in evidence.
you know
s"eetwatcr agreed with him. To attract
s%ueA'ion was what he most dreaded. When
u2es the train start?' lie asked.
The young man told him.
We'll. that will give me time to buy what /
want Now, what are your instructionsf"
ahe young man gave him q memorandum