Sunday Washington globe., 1901-12-22
THE SUNDAY GLOBE. WAsIIINGTON ~ e. DECEMBER p g0

male visitors, the woman told Miss jamie
Bobhit, who kept the little one and two
penny story at the corner, that she bought
and sold seamen's outfits and when neces-
sary furnished meals to seamen; when this
news had been impaired to Miss Bobbit's
customers, there were many mysterious
holdings of heads and apologetic snorts
and coughs, but no one gave vent to their
feelings IN any other manner, and in reply
to Miss Bobbit's observation that she had
always found Mrs Rider a perfect lady, the
other ladies who were present said they
were also Of Miss Bobbit's opinion, "ai.
though Mrs. Rider certainly did keep her
self close"
1t was three o'clock in the morning and
Mother Rider and her daughter, girl OF a
distinctly handsome, but defiant appearance,
sat drinking hot gin before a smolderiug
FIRE, in a rear room of the dilapidated old
mansion. The clock striking three at that
moment seemed to arouse the elder woman
from reverie she had been plunged in for
the past half hour.
I wonder what keeps them, she unused,
as she arose to throw another piece Of wood
on the FIRE, they surely ought to be here
now hadn't they9" she inquired turning to
her daughter.
Il should think so, replied that young
lady in a short, snappish manner and l
wish they were too, for I'm blessed il like
this sitting up all night business but whose
the other fellow with Grimes9 she in
quired, showing a little interest in her
questions.
Why, I expect, Alice dearie, that Joey
didn't give me his right name" answered
the older woman, but he's a swell that's
broke and has fine proud spirit, so he
has, for instead of borrowing from his
friends, he-well he takes from them with.
out shaming himself, by asking from them
anything, which is a brave way of doing
business, Think, and which shows him to
be clever lad, don't you think so?" asked
Mother Rider with a curious smile upon
her thin lips
''You mean that he visits at tie houses
of the people whom he afterwards robsH
inquired the girl who already had an ink
ling Of the true stale OF affairs
That's it, dearie," cried Mother Rider
fully enjoying the novelty of the situation
he goes to balls and parties at their
houses, and he keeps his eyes about him,
and then when they are all abed him and
Joey goes back and makes their lucky"
AT this moment there came a stealthy
knock at the back door, and Mother Rider,
hastily grabbing up the lighted candle from
the table quickly left the room
What luck, Buddy, she hurriedly asked
as she ushered in Ross and Saunders.
"The hell's own luck retorted Ross with
a furious OATH as he strode by into the
other room.
you don't mean to say, began Mother
Rider, her face flushing angrily,
j mean to say broke in Ross as he
cody helped himself to the GIN thai
things couldn't be any worse for me and
him than they is now" As he said this he
ierked his finger in Saunders direction and
Immediately afterwards gulped down
large glass Of gin.
After Saunders had been introduced to the
women, under the name of Vernon, the
evening adventures of the men were re-
lated to them as they had occurred Ross,
after a few words, asked for something to
eat, and when this had been set before him
he fell to at the victuals with the appetite
Of hungry man while Saunders glibly re-
cited the evening adventures to Mother
Rider and her daughter, fully explaining
the cause Of the failure Of his and his com
panions plan. During the recital the older
woman never ceased to regard the man
searchingly; her daughter seemingly fasci-
mated with the fellow hung upon his every
word, and Saunders man of the world that
he was, easily perceived how interesting he
was becoming to the girl and exerted his
agreeable powers TO their utmost
What we wants to do now, mother, is
to lay here close for few days until this
here thing blows over, said Ross, as he
arose from the table and began brushing
the bread crumbs from his clothes
"Of course, Buddy that's the only thing
you can do now" said Mother Rider,
slowly, but do hope that things amt as
bad as what you say they are, because these
people, being rich, will be apt to offer a big
reward for the capture of you and your
friend"
'Pshaw, said Ross, impatiently amt
1 done the same trick afore, and did I ever
get 'pinched?"
~ know thai, too Buddy" said the
woman "but these people is altogether
different, and there is a deal more danger
than there was in the Others"
Danger or no danger" answered Ross,
Pm going to bed, so show the way,
mother without any more of your d--d
croaking," and together the two men as
cended the stairs
To be continued