Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1901-02-27
known to DO caught mapping

II nave heard said" replied the
burglar, nervously, "that you are 4
smart man of business-a very smart
man of business" he added, raising
his eyes, and looking Nedham
squarely in the face.
"You flatter me, young mani"
chuckled the portly merchant. "And
who, may I ask, reported so favor
ably of me?"
MY name'' replied the stripping,
leaning over the table-"my name is
Wilkins; my father was your part
ner." And, having fred that Shot,
he awaited results.
Nedham shivered slightly, and his
face changed color. In amoment, how
ever, he had mastered himself.
"Ah!" he said, lightly. care you the
Coy I've heard him speak so often
about? How strangely people meet
sometimes! Who could have dreamed
that should have had the pleasure of
seeing you at such an unlikely hour
and place? Sit down, sir-sit down! It
is cold as an iceberg here. Let me get
you a whisky-and-soda.' And he
passed over to the sideboard.
The housebreaker protested, but the
old gentleman insisted.
''To tell you the TRUTH" he said,
laughing, "you've given me quite
turn. need something to still my
huttering heart; and I make it rule
never to drink alone when there is
company about"
So saying, he handed wilkins the
frothing stimulant, and, filling up his
own glass to the brim, he raised it.
with:
'Well. sir, I drink to you; and sin
cefely hope I have net disappointed
you by appearing so unexpectedly on
the scene tonight"
The STRIPPING drank in silence; for =
minute no words passed.
II suppose" wilkins muttered at
last, you will now send for the po.
police?''
The merchant laughed loudly as he
lay back in his chair.
"Why police?' he said. "You have
not robbed me-
II had that Intention" was the re-
ply. But, like most of my other
schemes in life, it did not come off.
But, remember, if I had cleared your
sideboard I should not have called my.
self a rcbber-not even a lawbreaker.
My father has told me that you robbed
him. and were the cause of his ruin
at the end"
Nedham drew himself up, fdgeting
on his seat.
II do assure you," he said, soothing.
~, there is no vestige of truth in the
accusation. You may not know that
your father was subject to hallucina.
ton long before we parted company"
II disagree with you, SIR" put in the
other, with trembling lip. But that
is all past now, and need not be
mourned over. My father is far be-
yond business trickery at this mo-
ment. But, candidly, I bear you Bit
ter grudge, and ever will do so. So
does another-my mother"
'Your mother?" queried the old
man. in a whisper. ''She is still alive,
then? All. the mention of her brings
back to me the days of youth. I pre-
sumo your father never told you how
he came between US. and made the only
woman I ever loved his wife? T."
II am in no mood for SENTIMENT"
the young man interrupted. "Aud, be-
Sides. that, too, is a bygone. What I
do know is that the terrible crash
came unexpectedly, and brought down
to the earth like card-castle all that
made for happiness with US. I had to
leave college, and, though have tried,
I never have been able to mend the
broken thread of my life. But all this
does not interest you" And he moved
towards the door.
do have another drink" insisted
the merchant. 1T is bitterly cold out
side, and you may have a long way to
walk
The offer was declined.
AS the gentleman-burglar passed
into the hall he turned with a forced
smile. and said:
II came by the back door, and will
go by it, presumed"
'Not at ALT" cried Nedham, elusive
~. mo visitor at Woodlands has ever
been allowed to do that. Let me show
you out by the front door, and, when
next you come to see me, perhaps you
will give me fairer warning than you
did this morning"
He opened the door and held out his
hand. The youngster took it coldly.
by the way" said the merchant, ''is
your mother in need of money!"
Money!" said Wilkins, drawing
himself up proudly on the doorstep.
"Charity? And from such as you?
Thank God, We are not yet reduced to
that level!"
And, so saying, he passed out into
the night.
Nedham listened to the retreatin9
footsteps for some moments, and then
quietly shut the door.
"Queer fellow, certainly" he
chuckled. "But boy Of spirit-ay, q
boy of spirit!" he added, mphatically,
as he pulled on the bolts.
The Australian branch of Mr.. Ned
hams business, which he opened at
Melbourne some four years ago., is
thriving beyond all expectations. But
when business friends congratulate
Mr. Nedham, he laughs, and says:
II mustn't take the credit. It's
young Wilkins concern. I'm taking
him into partnership."-Answers.
An Unmistakable Hit.
An actor and his wife had funny
experience recently in Toronto. They
were playing a piece in which the
wife enacted the part of a woman