The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1900-12-14
20 with you and show you the place and
hold your torch for YOU"

looked In vain for the young fellow who
had promised to be awaiting them. 1t
was dim moonlight and the street was
quiet. They stole noiselessly into the
grounds and peered about. hut there
was no one in sight.
Il guess he's got tired waiting and
gone in the house" whispered the lead
or. ITS pretty late and we might as
well strike up. We won't wait for
Potts"
So the torch was lighted and given to
the willing Shafto, the band men
grouped themselves, and soon their
cheeks were bulgng as they blew LA
Fiesta" march from their baring
horns.
As the last strains died away loud
husky voice burst upon them:
Darn my skin II that amt real good,
boys! That's the genooine article,
sure's you're born"
Looking around. the musician saw
short, stubby man leaning over the
gate. lie wore fur cap and blanket
coat.
That's the fust music I've heerd fur
years. boys" he said. I'm Bill Spelt.
I've jest got back from Alasky. ] made
my pile and dug out fur Frisco. This
music makes me feel real good. Give
us another tune. boys"
The leader looked at the house. A
light was bobbing about like will-o'-
the-wisp from window TO window, but
no one came out.
Presently the martial strains OF a
popular march Jared the window
panes.
Bully, boys!" circulated Bill spelt,
as the brazen notes ceased. That's
meat and drink and 4o-rod whisky all
in one. Boys. / see a saloon down the
street. and"
But at that moment the front door
opened and Mr.. Wrinkle came out with
lamp in his hand. Mrs. Wrinkles dim
form appeared behind him. He peered
to the right and left like a hen in the
dark.
Gentlemen" he began. TREMENDOUSLY
II do not know to what we are indebt-
ed for this great honor. You have made
a mistake. haven't your
NO mistake at all, sir" replied the
leader, with smoker. THAT is COL,
amt il? It's all right"
xviii you come in. gentlemen" said
Mr.. Wrinkle. with despairing politeness.
Were hardly situated so as 10 enter
tain you as we would wish, but you're
welcome. assure you-very welcome"
just then a small, shrill wall fioated
out upon the still air.
20. my goodness. They've walked the
baby." exclaimed Mrs. Wrinkle. and she
vanished like smoke.
| Thunder" cried the leader, aghast
"Never mind, gentlemen" said Mr.
Wrinkle. with untiring courtesy. Its
not our baby. you know. Some one
abandoned it on our doorstep this very
evening. A very singular thing
| "Trot him Quit" burst out Bill Spelt
stepping forward. II hain't hardl,
seen kid fur years, pardner. I've beer
up on the Yukon diggin gold. and ies
got back. 1t was tough, pardner. Blu
/ was a-scoopin' in the nuggets jest thu
same. Can't / see the kid. pardner?'
Certainly, friend" replied Mr.. Win
kle. "Come in. All come in, gentle
men,
well. we've walked up the baby, ana
/ guess we can't do much more dam
age" said the leader.
So they all went in and stood aroun'
amongst the wreckage in the big par
lor. and Mrs. Wrinkle brought in thu
baby, who blinked at the light ant
stretched out its little arms toward tn
shining brass horns.
Darn my skim" roared Bill Spelt. il
high delight. as the baby's tiny han'
clutched his big rough fingers. See tn
little toad. There's the maxim of
miner. boys. He kin almost handle
pick already. I've got something her
fur the kid
He thrust q hand deep in his poke
and pulled out heavy buckskin bag
from which he poured handful of gol
nuggets. Selecting half dozen of tn
largest he gave them to Mr.. Wrinkle.
Keep EN- fur the little feller.' h
SAID. III HAtlc PiSseht iu' 49,
And now | guess we'd better go. NJ
and my friends here has got littl
business to attend to down the street.
ave are greatly obliged for TIL
pleasant call" said Mr.. Wrinkle. some
what hazily.
IL see twas a surprise TO you, sir,
said the leader. But joke Is jok
thought the young fellow was her
but s'pose he'll be around to-morro
and explain il al and have the laug
on YOU"
who" asked Mr.. Wrinkle, hopeless
: ly puzzled.
: "Why, the young fellow that hire
u.s."
Mr.. Wrinkle said no more. 1t was tc
: much for his troubled brain. Bill Spe.
Shafto and the band filed out. In II
ward they halted and played Peek
Boo" Then they all went down II
I street to the saloon where Bill Spe
I threw a twenty at the bartender If
a starter" as he said.
Meanwhile several blocks down II