Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1900-02-08
CHAPTER XVI.
Sam hobbs Visits a Show.

Sam NObbs Visits a Show.
The Crown and Scepter, despite it's
pretentious sign, proved to be a very
small affair, indeed, in the way of pub
lie houses-a mere beer-shop, in fact.
But, as 1 was not visiting it for pur-
poses Of refreshments, that mattered
nothing; indeed, it augured we'll as in
dicating a healthy preference, on the
part of my emissary, for beer over
rum. He had established himself, per-
haps, in honor of my expected advent,
in little den labelled "Private Bar
and there I found him in full enjoy
ment of a pipe and pint of midland
bitter. Four-ale, be it understood, is
mira dig, even in beer-house private
bars.
"Thank 'eaven, you've come, sir!
was his greeting. "They're off to-mor-
row. Wen just be in nice time for a
look-in, if we starts now'
This was not a very clear introduce
tion but the Grown and Sceptre was
scarcely a suitable spot for explana-
tons, and so babe him finish his beer
and accompany me outside.
''Have we far to go?" inquired.
Nigh upon two miles, SIR" was the
reply. away up the Hampstead
Road, beyond the Canal. But we've
time enough to walk it-without you'd
rather driver he added, suggestively.
s'No, I'd rather walk" reioined, ga
part Of the way, at all events. 1 can
hear what you have to say better.
Now, tell your story in your own
fashion, but cut it as short as you
can"
Fright are. SIR he assented, "more
specially as there amt great deal to
tell arter all Well. " Sc. I kept Oh
the prowl around Clerkenwell, with a
bit of Kings Cross and the Euson
Road thrown in, but nary sight could
1 get of my man until 1 spotted him
on Christmas eve, near Cover Street
Station 1t was nearly dark, with
bit of fog besides, and couldn't feel
quite sure Of him until overlook him
in the Hampstead Road. Even then.
though I knowed 1 wasn't mistaken in
the lob-sided figure and shutting walk
Of the man, I was well-nigh choked
when I seed his face. You know, sir.
as we'll as I do, that. wotever might be
said about Tom Webb's booZin', no
one could ever mistake him for an idi-
OF. Well, the face Of the man I'd been
follerin' was just that of a mad 'un.
Not a glimmer of sense nor under
standin' in the fshy eyes, and set
grin, that had no larf in it, on the hair.
open, dribhling mouth. 1t was Tom
Webb. right enough, but more like a
blComin caricatoor, such as l sells ill
the alfpenny comics, than the genuine
article.
"'Hello, mater says 1, slappin' him
on the shoulder, friendly-like, what
clleer?'
Tom looked at me, and, for half a
minute I thought he knew me. But he
didn't. He only grinned and num-
bled somethin' about the fog gettin'
worse. Then, seeing as how he disap-
peared the night of the great fog last
month, this seemed good line to fol-
Ter.
"sYes, it's coming on bit thicker,
matte 1 tells him, but 'twon't be any
thing like wot we had five weeks ago.
A regular bad 'un that war;
ssThe grin died away, and with a
queer, iibberin moan, he skunk off as
fast as he could. OF course, follered
him.
"Just as we got past the canal
bridge, he stopped short and rounded
on me. who are you?' he asked, jerk
i'm out the words like. why are you
a-dogging my steps?'
Nobbs,' says I, quietly. and I'm a
w, If
to find out where you're goin' to, Tom
Webb
''The names 'ad just the same effect
on him as when 1 fust spoke to i'm.
He seemed to know 'em for an instant,
and then to forget 'em again.
"'You can if you like, Of course
says he. sand your friends, too. There's
no half-price, though, except nine on
Saturday nights
"'All right, mate says I, mo bloom
in 'alf-price for me. Front seat and
no favor's my MOTTO Of course,
hadn't the least idea what he was driv
in at, 'cept that it seemed to be about
a show of some sort he was goin' to.
But when you've one Of the cranky
sort to deal with, faint 70 manner Of
use irwin to make i'm speak out plain.
You've just got to 'umour i'm and
wait
ssWell, sir, Tom seemed satisfied with
INV reply. and we walked on together
to a piece of buildin' ground that
wasn't yet sold. and was let now and
then to caravans and small circus
folk. There was tent rugged up, and
I soon guessed this was the show Tom
and me was to patronize; but was a
bit took back when heard that Tom
belonged to the show himself. 1t took
some time to get at the bottom of all
that he told me; but in the end, |
made out that he was employed as
money-taker. and to look after the
,oof and books generally. It seemed a
bit staggerin', just at first, to find a
Door, barny cove like Tom with job
like this; but when you come to think
Of it, 1t figures out all right. Tom Is
a first-rate scholar, and a dab at fg.
ures. fit. mebbe, to keep the books OF q
hank. He's as honest as sheep-dog,
al anyone can tell. Also a bit barmy.
Well, amt a barmy scholar better nor
4 wide-awake whong 'un? Anyhow
that's how the boss OF the show pears