Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1900-04-17

THAT sounded like Mr. Druce,"
thought Reggie.
He stepped gingerly up to the edge of
the big pit before referred to, and peered
dim figure at the bottom. BY the rim
lay Mr.. Druce's hat, and from the pits
bottom came the voice of Mr.. bruce,
feebly demanding succor.
rs that Mr.. Druce?" Queried Reggie
calmly.
tleman angrily. And you are Reginald
Chatters, | presume. l thought | should
meet you"
ut is scarcely a meeting" said Reg
gle.
''Confound your' roared the irate par
ings over my wall last night. It's lucky
for you I'm down here. I've been here
for half an hour, and [ can't make those
deaf idiots at the house hear me. How
ever. help me out, and mayhap l may
overlook the trespass this once
'That's very good of yOui' said Reg
gle. He sat down on an upturned wheel
barrow and lit cigarette. He had
never read anything of this sort, but it
seemed good opportunity to strike out
an original line of his own.
The action enraged MIR. bruce to a
dangerous extent He Snorted and
paved like tethered bull. AS he drew
his feet from the mud Reggie heard
them suck and squish dolefully in the
sticky clay and water that lined the bot
tom: Reggies cigarette went out, and
he lit It afreSh.
Suppose we strike a bargain?" he
said. Ticking off the ash. IF you will
recall your decision of yesterday anent
my proposed marriage with Rose. per-
haps | might overlook your rudeness on
that occasion, for once, and help you
out
you young blackguardr roared bruce.
DO you think FL be dictated to by
you? I'll stop here all night before |
concede you an inch. And when | get
cut, heaven help you.'
All right" murmured Reggie, sweetly.
III stay here and keep you company"
it on a corner Of the wheelbarrow
Mr.. Druce lifted his voice and shouted
for help. As vocal effort it did not
amount to much. The angry parent had
already exhausted himself by shouting,
and the damp clay had impaired a dis
was very sorry for him, but he had
brought it on himself. In prowling about
on the watch for Reggie he had fallen
into the pit: 1t was soft enough to pre-
clude any risk of broken limbs.
Reggie knew the shouts would not
reach the house. for all the windows were
shut. and it was unlikely that anyone
would search for the lost one in the gar
den-he hardly ever went there even in
summer. The waiter on the wheelbar-
row lit another cigarette.
Mr.. bruce, after an hour had passed
in silence, fell into q distressing fit of
coughing.
Reggie, sympatheticaIly: without a hat It,
too. I'm afraid you'll catch cold
"Confound your' coughed Mr.. bruce.
when | want your opinion I'll ask you
for it: [ shall have long score to set
tie with you when [ get out"
when you get out!' echoed Reggie,
sweetly He brushed the ash of his
cigarette into the pit Reggie felt more
and more happy as time went on, whilst
the unfortunate Mr.. bruce at length be-
gan to find the clammy pit too much for
him. He tried a more conciliatDry tone.
IN subject to acute rheumatism" he
said peevishly, land you may have my
charge as manSlaughter. [ repeat. [ am
subject to rheumatism of the most violent
nature
That's bad" said Reggie "Have you
ever tried SIENNA tea? My aunt was com
pletely cured
The old gentleman relapsed into sud
den fit of powerful metaphor. which in
terrupted the history Of Resgie's aunt.
Eventually there came, yanqqished
voice from out of the pit. Mr.. bruce
gave in. The raw air and ooZy clay had
4 done its work, and he hauled down his
colors.
Get me OUT" he growled. eve had
enough of this You can marry Rose-it
she'll have your
and the $500 year-as a start %
Queried Reggie.
Mr. bruce slipped on the floor of the