Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-04-05

Virtue was weight on man ana woman VI
speak but of the rule), and power the only
recognized right.
1 was nightly depressed at this time.
Seasoned though was, shrank from life
as saw it, and sickened of those into whose
company my policy forced me. In fact, l
might have made shift to get myself from
this sink of heartless depravity, only my
gold still swung at the end of a cable within
pistol shot of the shore, and none knew it.
Many night had l lain awake Matching
schemes to get aboard and recover it, but
they were worse than foolhardy, as knew
after second thinking, SO l took it out in
and biding my time.
As the days sped, had little or no fear
for myself. Lounsbury was probably well
under ground by this, for had heard moth
ing of him, and if the negro was pris
oner in hulk he might as well have been
in tomb.
OF what was taking place in the world out
side / knew nothing save from rumor. and
1umor oft contradicted itself. The only
report seemingly sure was that Washington
had sat himself down on the Hudson just
north of the Harlem 1.-THE very spot from
which he had been driven two years be-
fore), and was there awaiting the arrival of
the French fleet in order to strike blow.
And there he remained inactive, for the
French did arrive early in July, and, find |
ing Howe's feet drawn up to receive them,
but peered into the bay, and then turned
tail and sped away to Newport on the fruit
less mission of blockading that port.
In the seemingly open yet wholly secret
life led made many friends pot
house companions-to whom listened but
spoke little, fearing to be recognized as an
impostor. kept both ears and eyes on
the alert the while, fighting shy of broils,
yet holding the respect of the toughest of
the camp offscouring, owing to my size and
map of the lower defenses of the city; but it
was SO disguised, so crossed, and recrossed
in a manner clear only to myself that |
would have trusted it to the eye of any Of
them without fear of their coming by its
true nature.
This did not to be idle, for nothing hap
pened in the way of military movement, or
even threatened to, for some weeks after
my arrival By then l was practically pris
oner, for without pass and a clear state
ment of business 1 could not have gotten
beyond the lines, which now extended across
the island from the heights of Corlears Hook
to the Hudson ION about the general line of
the present Grand street,.
My wound healed in the space of two OF
three weeks, but still kept the arm in a
sling, using it in privacy that the muscles
might not weaken or stiffen from lack of
exercise. The sling saved me from many
awkward questions, for when asked why ]
did not join the army or apply for berth in
the feet, had but to point to it, gently NOV
ing the limb, and say: "All in good time"
adding for weight that / had no call to fur
ther serve his majesty until he paid me the
money had already earned.
But for the arm, backed perhaps by the
way my muscle filed out my coat sleeve,
would have been pressed into the service
whether or not, and the sling being safe
guard let it bids,
1 had taken quarters in the tavern of the
"King's Arms" on King street (now Pine
street), near the Broadway, making terms
en- orsdit, an easy matter with my prize
money claim in my pocket. Twas the gath
ering place for tories of the better sort, and
! but little affected by the military, the dash
ing element of which favored Fraunce's, on
, Broad street.
But my time was not spent here. Twas
the Bulls Head" on The Bowery Lane ION
the site Of the old Bowery theatsr), and
near the inner line Of dsfsnses, that saw
the most Of me.
The spot was but step from hades, but
great place for much coming and going and
hearing the news; and then twas near the
shipyard of which lay the Phantom. Never
day passed without one broi, and often
or less bloodshed, and one Of them put o
stop to The life was then leading.
I mind me it was on cloudy Saturday
forenoon early In August, though through
the wet in the air and the vsilsd heat every
pore oozsd as Il one had raced. There had
been but few about. was half DOING un-
der locust In the tavern yard when be.
came conscious that two men had but just
settled themselves at a small table near me
and was thoroughly Weakened by hearing the
name of "Scammell" in connection with
some matter they had been discussing.
One was boyish-looking naval officer,
seated with his face toward me, the Other
being in dress a cross betwixt soldier and
civilian Like the officer, he wore sword
but could see no more of him than the
broad of his back.
Using but the tail of my eye, marked
them begin game of cards for stakes, for
could hear the clash of coin, and after 6
hand or two he of the back spoke.
Does Clinton know the MANI"
Nay, but he knows of him and what b,
has DONE" was the answer. II was tole
last night that he has been about. There's
something afoot outside, and he'll be need
!, ed. IT'S wonder he has not turned up fol
! another job; Clinton is liberal with tn,
kings cash! I'll give you a pound to fne
him"
, There was silence for moment or tw'
as the officer drew in a stake and dealt tn,
cards.
ri wish could get fingers on this sam,
| kings CASH." the unknown remarked
!, "Card-playing for shillings is small truck TO
> man, and We have had all the luck. Coult
] pass myself off, dye think, an do tn
work instead o the chap yer after?"
. NAY, you're no sailor, and have hut
shady record for pluck"
r "Then it's sailor you want! As TO
+ shades an records, It's but case o the pc
an kettle! It's the way 70 naval chap
. have of robbing man Of an honest living
e Now I've lost time with We because fan
f cied scented cash. All last night wol
nothing save a sore head for this morning
: Come! ye but stave me off from the job
3 Play, then, for something save shillings ant
: crowns an thin wine. Pm sick of it. II
i lay ys the pound We offered ON the better Q
v three hands, an then quit, win or lose"
Good knows I'm willing to quit" was tn
, return. Give played all night and an
tagged. III play you the pound for tn
n last" And the officer yawned as he tosset
e the cards to his opponent.
Now knew this to be nothing less thai
d the trick Of a blackleg. To lose on shilling
]. and win on pounds was common prac
= tice with them, as it is to this day. TIL
officer must have been green not to hav
+ seen through it, but ] had little sympath,
4 for anyone wearing the scarlet, and, ii
t truth, was interested in seeing how tn
game would be played and possibly hearin
b more of Scammel.
9 Doubtless l had been taken for drunk
q en- drover as sat with my chin on my ches
9 and my chair tilted against the tree; any
. way, they gave me no notice.
e One hand was played to the advantag
8 of the officer. That was to be expected
NJ