Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1901-10-12
CHAPTER XIII.-(Continued)

a v. Il
heen waited upon so long that it is my
rurn 10 wait now, and | would not wish a
more likely master. BY the Lard, L must,
in applying for a place, give an account
of nv character and a list of my accom-
nlishments. So my rascals ever did with
me. though in good truth | seldom lis
tened to their recital. Honesty-there l
scare trick. Sober-Ananias himself
could scarce say that 1 am that. Trust
worthy-indifferentl so. Steady-hum!
about as much so as Garraway's weather
cock. Hang it, man, | am chock-full of
GOOD resolutions, but a sparkling glass or
a roguish eye will defect me, as the
mariners say of the compass. So much
for my weaknesses. Now let ME see
what qualifications | can produce. A
steady nerve. save only when / have my
morning quamS, and a cheerful heart:
| score two on that. | can dance sara
band minuet, or eorranto: fence. ride
and sing French chansons. Good Lard,
who ever heard valet urge such accom-
pliShmentSt | can play the best game
Of piquet in London. So said Sir George
Etherege when | won a cool thousand off
him at the Groom Parter. But that
won't advance me much, either. What
is there. then, to commend me? Why,
marry, can brew a bowl of punch. and
| can broil a deviled fowl. 1t is not
much. but / can do it WE'LL
Truly, good sir | said, with a smile.
neither of these accomplishments is like
To prove Of much use to us ON our present
errand. You do, however, hut jest. no
doubt, when you talk of descending to
such position"
Not a whit, not Whit" he replied.
earnestly. To such base uses do we
come as VIII Shakespeare has it. If
Won would be able to say that you have
in your service Sir Gervas Jerome.
knight banneret, and sole owner of
Beacham Ford park, with a rent roll of
four thousand good pounds a year. he
is now up for sale, and will be knocked
down to the bidder who pleases him best.
Say but the word, and Wen have another
fagon of sack to clinch the bargain
But, said I, IF YOU are indeed own
or Of this fair property, why should you
descend to SO mental an operation 2"
The Jews, the Jews, oh. most astute
and yet most slow-witted master! The
ten tribes have been upon me. and | have
been harried and wasted, bound, ravished,
and desp0iled. Never was Agag, King
Of Amalek, more completely in the hands
of the chosen. and the sole difference is
that they have hewed into pieces mine
estate instead of myself"
Have you lost all, then?" Reuben
asked. open-eyed.
Why no. not all; by no means ALL"
he answered. with merry laugh; II
have a gold Jacohus and a guinea or two
in my purse. Twill serve for flask
or SO vet. There is my silver-hilted IA
pier, my rings my gold snuffboX, and my
watch by Tompion at the sign of the
Three Crowns. 1t was never bought UNI
der hundred, I'll warrant. Then there
are such relics of grandeur as you see
upon my person, though they begin to
fFoJ NJ n H1vaI N -OJ1l.
ans virtue. In this bag. too. | retain the
means for preserving that niceness and
Elegance of person which made me,
though | say it. as well groomed a man
as ever set foot in st. James park. Here
are French scissors. eyebrow brush,
comb, puff, and my pair of red-heeled
shoes. What could a man wish for more?
These, with a dry throat, cheerful
heart, and a ready hand, are my whole
stock in trade"
Reuben and I could not forbear from
laughing at the curious inventory of arti-
ces which Sir Gervas had saved from
the wreck OF his fortunes. He. upon see
ing our mirth. was so tickled at his own
miSfortunes that he laughed in a high
treble key until the whole house resOund-
ed with his merriment. by the mass"
he cried at last, II have never had so
much honest amusement out of my pros
perity as hath been caused in me by my
downfall. Fill up your glasses"'
we have still some distance to travel
this evening, and must not drink more,
observed. for prudence told me that it
was dangerous work for two sober coun-
try lads to keep pace with an expert
enced topper.
SOP" said he, in surprise. ~ should
have thought that would be 'raison de
plus as the French say. But / wish
yonr long-legged friend would come back,
even if he We're intent upon Sitting, my
weaSand for my attention to the widow.
He is not man to finch from his liquor,
I'll warrant. Curse this Wiltshire dust
that clings to my periwig!
Until my comrade returns, Sir Ger
vas" said I. you might, since the, sub
leet does not appear TO he painful one
% you, let us know how these evil times,
which you bear with such philosophy,
came upon YOU"
The old story" he answered. Ticking
away a few grains of snuff with his deep
y-laced cambria handkerchief. The old,
cid story. My father, good. easy coun-
try baronet. finding the family purse
somewhat full, must needs carry me up
TO town to make man of me. There as
young lad ] was presented ut court,
and being slim. active Young
Ster, with pert tongue and
assured manner l caught the notice
II the Queen. who made me one OF h t.r
grew ont of it. when I withdrew from
town: hut, egad. | found must get
back to it again. for Beacham Ford
Park was as duh as a monastery after
The life which I had been living. In
town | stayed then. with such boon com,
qanions as Tommy Lawson, my Lord
Halifax, Sir Jasper Lemarck. little
3e6rale Chichester-ay. and old Sidney
,todolphin of the treasury: for with all
Jus Staid ways and long-winded budgets
Nc could drain cup with the best OF
u.s. and was as keen on a main of cocks
Us on committee of ways and means.
Il wei, il was rare sport while it lasted,
h md sink me if | wouldn't do the same
asain If | had my time once more. 1t
ike sliding down a creased plank,
.aoagh. for at first a man goes slow
,al'ugh, and thinks he can pull himself
y. but presently he goes faster and
.Isler until he comes with a crash onto
"'e rocks of ruin at the bottom
,.Annd did YOU run through t4OO0
'rdG / exclaimed.
n; va bodikins, man, Won speak as II
I5S paitry sum were all the wealth Of
f., indies. Why, from Ormonde or
III w. H.