Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1899-01-19
CHAPTER NJ
The Mineral Water Man.

In week l was in London, and ear
ly in the afternoon Of the Sd of July I
stepped out on the platform Of the lit
tie station near Brierwick. in Suffolk.
Among the passengers who alighted
ut the same time-there were not more
than dozen. all told-was a man
about thirty years Of age, whom
Judged to be, like myself a stranger
to the place. He carried small black
bag. wore a loose overcoat although
the day was hot enough to roast an
egg in the SUM and tall silk hat set
very far back on his head. I passed
him at the exit from the station. ard
began the walk of two miles along Il
very dusty lane, which was to bring
me to the township of Brierwick.
One by one my fellow travellers
passed out of sight. some walking on
more rapidly than felt inclined to do
OH so hot day, other turning Off in
various directions. At length, on glanc-
ing behind me. l found that the only
man in sight was the stranger | have
mentioned. Seeing this, he quickened
his pace until he overlook me. He
then babe me Good afternoon" civilly
enough.
Poor sort of place, this l take it,"
said he, jerking his head in the direc-
ton of the little town ahead Of u.s.
$50 l believe. l am stranger in
this part of the country I returned.
$50 am I. Traveller in the mineral
water line. 1t doesn't seem to me that
the country is worth working"
Probably not"
"There are only two pubs in the
place, am told.''
Indeed"
Eyes; and only one of them, l I'M
dcrstand, is fit for gentleman to put
; up at-the Ship. Perhaps you arc
bound for the same rendezvous?'
AS there was no reason why should
not go to that inn as we'll as another. l
said yes
"Shall order lunch for us both
when we get there?" asked my self.
! constituted companion, with Il grin
| that was intended to be ingratiating.
j looked at the speaker again. and
I, thought detected a look of cunning in
| the small brown eyes of the mineral
| water man. He was not altogether Il
pleasant-looking specimen of humani
/ ty. He. wore his dark hair rather long
! and his whiskers, cut short off in q
slanting line from his ears, Joined on te
his moustache, so as to give him the
appearance of an animal bridled-espe
cially when he turned his little snul
nose up in the air. His hands, 1 no
ticed, were very broad and not too
clean.
1 did not particularly crave for this
mans society, but l did not like II
hurt his feelings; and as it was evi
dent that we would both be in need Of
refreshment by the time we reached
the inn, I accepted his proposal.
mattered nothing to me how spen
the time before 2 in the morning, til,
hour at which l was to meet the EN-
issaries of Won Mitschka, ;. and hi
friends. '''''
After luncheon my. new acQuaint
ance proposed to accompaniment to tn
beach, but 1 was tired of the mani
company, and declined his offer. Th
shore 1 found, was covered with Low
sand hills, held together by long, wir.
grass. The village was built close t
| lllc Scii llClC va udlUOl. IlllO
pier extending a considerable way int
the sea. so that the fishing smack
might lie there at all:states of tn
tide.
Having noted the general arrange
ment of the place, and in particula
the way to the pier, so that. it 'nece:
sary, I might be able to find it in TIL
dark without asking the way. strolle
on past the outskirts of the little tow1
and, crossing the sand hills I reache
the beach and threw mysel flown o
the pebbles. '".',
1 was quite alore A short. way O.
the keelson and the mighty ribs OF
ship, stranded there long ago; Drotrut
ed from the sand, as if they refused
be buried, after the manner Of smalle
things. The tinbers were bleache
With the SHOWS Of fifty. winters: the
locked gaunt and eerie, even in. I'll
summer sunlight.
Il A haze had come over the brigl
face Of the sky, and presently the Sc
was hidden and clouds began TO gath'
NJ -