Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-02-18

rical agent all over"
Remember you are Fairlight Longs
man. the author Of several farces, and
my secretary. Whatever you do, don't
forget that. Now we must be going.
Come along"
We left the house unnoticed, and,
having hailed hanson, were driven to
the carriage builder yard at Vauxhall.
Walworth had evidently written pre-
pairing him for our visit, for early as it
was we found him waiting to receive u.s..
cir" began Mr.. Maximillien Stra-
gaus in broken English, as soon as he
had descended from the cab, "is it you
dot are Mr.. EbridgeT"
"That is my name, sir, " said the coach
builder. "And you are Mr.. Stragaus,
presume.
"Dot is my name. Dis shentleman Is
my segra tary, Mr.. Fairlide .Longsman.
Now you know, and so we can our bust
ness begin to dalk. "
"Perhaps you will be good enough,
gentlemen, to step into my Office first.
We shall be more private there"
We followed him into the room he
mentioned and took possession of the
chairs he offered us.
"Now, Mr.. Stragaus, in what way
can be of service to you?" be asked,
seating himself as he spoke at his desk.
."Zirl My segratary spreohens de
Anglaish better nor me. He will dell
you"
I felt that i; beloved me to do my
best, so leaning forward in confden-
tial manner I said:
"My employ as doubtless you are
very we'll aware, Mr.. Ebridge, is one of
the largest theatrical entrepreneurs in
England. His dealings are gigantic.
And it is the business connected with
one of those enormous productions that
brings us here. In the first place, you
must know that on the third Saturday
in this present month he has arranged
to produce the entirely new and original
drama, Saved by Woman's Pluck,
at the Royal Olympic theater, Man.
chester. By the way, have you the pre-
liminary poster with you, Mr.. Stra-
| gaus?'
In answer Mr.. Stragaus produced
from his bag the placard before describ-
ed and spread it upon the table, at the
same time looking at the coach builder
as if to demand his opinion on such
fine display of color.
"You will observe, Mr.. Ebridge,"
continued when the other had read it,
"that the whole production will be on
scale Of unparalleled splendor-police,
bloodhounds, live horses and one large
prison van, all on the stage. It will be
one of the greatest successes Of the CEN
tury. But we want your assistance.
"You mean, of course, that you want
me to make you a van."
Exactly"
"Just makeshift affair for the stage,
I presumed"
"Oh, dear, mol That is not Mr.. Stra-
gaus' way of doing business at all. II
he has fire engine on the stage, as he
had in his last production, it must be q
real engine, with every detail complete
and in proper working order. In the
same way then, when he orders police
van, he wants it made in every particu-
lar Just as you would make it for her
majesty's government. There must be
no difference at all in any one respect,
neither the painting, lettering, nor the
internal fittings"
"It will cost you lot Of money, Mr..
Stragaus, said the builder.
"Dot is no madden at all to me, " re-
piled Mr.. Stragaus pompously. II will
ave de ding berfect or nod at all. Vot
is more, must ave it at once"
"Mr. Stragaus, may point out to
yoa, Mr.. Ebridge," continued, sis in
very great hurry. There has been
slight pushing forward of dates, and in
order to insure success he is willing to
pay you handsomely if you will com.
plete the work in short space Of time. "
"How long can you give me, sir?"
"a week exactly. Not day longer!"
Impossible. 1t cannot be done!"
"Den We must 60 elsewhere, mine
vriend," said Mr.. Stragaus. "Dot is all
If you will undertake to do de work. and
to and me over de van complete on
next Duesday evening at l2 O'CLOCK,
will pay you dwioe de sum you ask me
now"
The man looked up in surprise at this
extraordinary offer and asked to be ex-
cused for moment while he consulted
with his foreman. While be was abb
sent, Walworth whispered:
II think he'll do it. And if we can
arrange it that way we shall be able to
get it safely up to the yard of the house
unobserved."
Here the coach builder returned.
my foreman tells me he thinks it
can be done, sir. But you must see that
it will mean night and day work for us
all. And the charge will have to be on
a corresponding SCALE"
"Dot is nodings to me. You do de
work, and l will pay de money. You
agree? Den it is arranged I shall send
my men for de van ERE on Duesday
night at 10 O'CLOCK, and you will ave it
complete Den We can zend it on by
rail worst ding in de morning. But,
mind you dis, if it is not done den,
will not pay you Won farding. You
agree?"
II agree. have given you my prom
ise, Mr.. Stragaus, and whatever hap
pens it shall bs completed by that
time"
"Dot is goot. You might, too, ave a
tarbaulin to cover it NIT, so dat de pub
lick shall not see it ven We dake it away.
Now. zir, wish you goot morning. You
will be paid for de van ven my men dake