The Bemidji pioneer., 1900-10-18

k.SlI NlSSSSSSll Z1xzAl infancy. He was
Van NNNkS awakened by the
sSR3T maid. as 1T might
kr1E9A have been ten
as M years ago, tapping
at the door. The
winter sunrise was
painting the east; and as the WINDOW f,a
WAS to the back Of the house, IT snone
Unto the room with many strange COY
Iors OF refracted light. Without, tne
houses were all cleanly roo1eu VIII
snow; the garden walls were copeu ,
lwith it a foot In height; the greens ,ip. ias Z,
giiftering. Yet strange as snow hau
grown to John during his years upon
lthe Bay Of San Francisco, ~ was Whas ll''I
he saw within that most affecteo nlil.
For it was to his own room that Alex
lander had been promoted; there was
khe old paper with the device OF now
lers, In which cunning fancy mignt
bet detect the face Of Skinny Jim, q
kha Academy, Johns former domlhle' y IN q
there was the old chest OF drawers
there were the chairs one, two, three
three as before. Only the carpet was was
new. and the litter OF Aiexanlioefs 8
clothes and books and drawing mate
rias, and pencil-draWing on the
Iwall, which Tin Johns eyes) appesaa.reu !.
h marvel Of proficiency.
He was thus lying and looking, and
streaming, hanging as It were, between en-
two epochs Of his life. when Alexander 'il q
came to the door. and made his pres
enca known In loud whisper. John
let him in, and jumped back into the
warm bed. .#5
Well, John" said Alexander, the
caFJlegram is sent in your name, and
Hmanty words Of answer paid. nave
nssn DO the cab Office and paid your
cab. even saw the old gentleman him i'm
,self, and properly apologized He was
mighty placable, and indicated MS pc.
aied you had been drinking. Then !
Knocked UP old Macewen out of ped,
and explained affairs to him as ne sat
and shiyered In dressing-gown. And ma
before that / had been TO the High
street, where they have heard nothing ing
,of your dead body, SO that incline g
tho idea that you dreamed i.
"Catch mel" said John.
swell. the police never DO Know
anything, /" assented Alexander ana
at any rate, they have dispatched
snan Is inquire and to recover your
trousers and your money, SO that really
your bill is now fairly clean; ana q I see see
but one lion in your path--tile gov
srnor." Y.
..I'li be turned out again, you'll see, zee
said John, dismally.
aJ don't imagine SO" returned the
other; ..not If you do what Flora ana '1i
I have arranged; and your business
now is to dress, and lose no time ABOUT o. =
n ID your watch right? Well, youl
nave a quarter OF an hour. By Hse
minutes before the half hour you must mus
he at table, in your old seat, unaer
Uncle Duthie's picture. Flora Waii pc
shere to keep you countenance; ana
lwe shail see what we shall see.
stWouldn't 1t be wiser TOT me 70 stay .s
IN bed?" said John.
/ aIf you mean to manage your own WI,
concerns, you can do preciseiy Wha.
Won Ike replied Alexander; but II
kou are not in your place five minutes
before the half hour wash my hand' lslS'
of you. fer one"
Ana thereupon he departed. He had
.apolsen warmly, but the truth IS, ms
heart was somewhat troubled. ana
as he hung over the balusters, watch-
ing for his father to appear, ne hau
lbard ado to keep himself braced lot
nhe encounter that must follow.
.4rs he takes it we'll, shall be lucky
he reflected ''If he takes 1t III, Why
st.1i be herring across Johns tracks,
and perhaps all for the best. Hes a
eonfounded muff. this brother Oh mine, llle
hut he seems decent soul.
5, A. that stage a door opened below
with certain emphasis, and MI. MGR
olson was seen solemnly 70 descend .
fhe stairs and pass into his own apart
anent. Alexander followed, quaklng IN
wartlly, but with a steady face. He 1le
knocked, was bidden to enter, ana
sound his father standing In front OF
the forced drawer, to which ne pointed
as he spoke. !,
.sThis is a most extraordinary thing, /
said he, Il have been robbed
II was afraid you would notice IT,,
observed his son: "it made such 9
beastly hash Of the table.
.You were afraid would notice III?
repeated Mr., Nicholson. And pray
what may that mean?"
"phat was a thief, sir, returned
Alexander. Il took all the money IN
& case the servants should get hold Of
sf: and here is the change, and note
of my expenditures. You were gone
80 he'd, you see, and i did not feel al
aiberty to knock you up; but | think
when you have neard the circum-
stances, you will do me justice. The
fact is, l have reason to believe there
has been some dreadful error about
my brother John: the sooner it can be
cleared UP the better for all parties; Il
was piece of business, sir--and SO
took il, and decided. on my own re
sponsibility, to send a telegram to SaI
u, ~,