The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-06-11


ing himself sentenced 10 ten years penal
servitude. One longed Almost to assure
this good man that he was only being
made the victim OF a hoax. Then he es-
sayed humor. the humor of the rostrum.
that like that of the bench sounds such
a depressngly blank cartridge in the re-
port.
why, the weights alone are worth the
money! Take EN- Off my mind, gentle
men. Come, say a sovereign. Won't any
one go an advance on 10 shillin's? It's
without reserve, gentlemen. There's no
cn.l for this extreme modesty."
He conned the blank faces once more.
and shrugged his shoulders as If to repu-
date all responsibility IN so senseless a
fiasco. The little hammer in his hand rose
slowly like that Of clock about to strike
Fingered on the fan in a quick inspira-
ton
Take him on. Charlie" whispered a
neishbor broker to The other. Hes
ny"
zone pound"
lone pound ten" said the stranger.
Two pounds"
1.-TWO pounds one"
There was a murmur of protest The
auctoneer bent over HIS desk courteous
-.
The conditions Of SALE" he said "above
two pounds, no advance under two shil-
ln's."
Two pounds ten. then" said the
stranger
The languid room woke to sense of
the humor of the situation
Three pounds" said the broker
The stranger looked round dehantly.
IT'S what I want" he said zen SCOT
my show and ! mean TO have it,"
There were cries of Order! Order"'
and the room echoed with a ripple of
laughter over this fatuous admission.
-Four pounds said the stranger. i'm
movably.
1T goes against my conscience" thought
George George, ito profit by this victim
izng Of. foo."
He waited while they ran the fool up
from six TO ten pounds, and there, fright
ened by the magnitude of the issue they
let the joke lapse ana chuckled themselves
hoarse over the richness of the climax
Ten pounds for a frame of indifferent
old METAL II was an exhibition of tenac-
ty all upon the iusensate side.
The stranger seemed neither elated nor
depressed by the result. He went and
stood by his property until he could nav
for ana remove it, indifferently the cyno-
sure of eyes that humored their own de-
rision of him a little covertly In that they
were conscious of a certain turbulence in
the expression of those under the unspeak-
able hatbrim.
The Bidding, after this nomentary
effervescence of excitement, fell to a more
dismal level of ineffectiveness than il had
suffered hiterto. Very soon the person
most interested in It tired of the reiteration
of lame conclusions, and returned to hts
work, more impressed than ever with the
vanity of impulsive optimism. He busted
himself over his cases and other matters
for an hour or two losing in occupation ALI
but shadowy memory of his disappoint-
ment, then went home for the cup of tea
that Is the solace to much heroic despera-
ton. He had no living quarters at the
hospital but his dull lodgings were near
at hand, and for them he made with a
new dstaste for their meanness. that was
half humor half chagrn. His tiny sit
ting room was Tapped In darkness, for the
fire was sunk TO mere befated spark and
the gas was turned down i'm the insuffer-
able chandelier With his fingers on the
cock, George George dwert a moment In
retrospection on the queer little episode
of the afternoon
We'll" he thought, "it is ten pounds Of
eccentricity, at least, in my pocket"
His hand moved-the room leapt into
light. and there before him on thA
hearth-rug were standing-nan and eas-
alier-the actual subjects of his medita-
lions.
He jumped. he couldn't help It. then in
an instant, with violent effort forced
his nerves under control
What the - he began-and STONED
The stranger (placing his large hat on
the table, bowed, with an expansive mo.
ton OF his finger tips from his mouth. as
IL he were caressing outwards the ends of
a long moustache. Professionally this
manner of salutation may be interpreted
10 signify the blowing a kiss to applause
Then he put one hand akimbo, and waved
the other grandiosely to the gasalier at
his side.
You're Dr. George?" said he.
Certainly"
'Then. doctor. I've took the liberty Of
bringing you a little present"
But my good sir
flush" said the stranger: and he went
TO the door on tip-toe and carefully shut
and locked it.
Its absolutely plain" thought the dis
mayed practitioner II guessed 1t at the
auction, and here's confirmation. This
person is an escaped Iunatic"
The stranger had returned to the rug
and his property An odd smile was on
his face. He thrust one hand, Napoleonic
into the breast of his coat.
Sir" he began.
lie advanced and dragged forward his
old elbow-chair-wintry as the evening.
by token of lis long-vanished spring
from It's corner by the fire.
"slt down" said he.
NO sir" said the stranger, promptly.
sooner in the presence of royhalty than
in yours"
"o!" exclaimed the other, in a helpless
voice.
Il were scurvy tempted" said the Wis
itor. II were scurVy tempted; I'll own
1t up fair It's FORUM against the apple
OF my eye, says 1; and thank God the
man in me rose to the occasion, and the
apple wins
Mr. George recovered his decision and
his professional manner "Thatil do" he
said. Now, my good fellow. come 10 the
point and state your business"
Immediately his hands were siezed in
an emotional grasp.
Il could kiss emf" cried the stranger;
'sep me, / could kiss em and cry!'
The doctor wrenched himself free, so
roughly that the man staggered.
Give me a moment, sir" pleaded thu