New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-30

each bad passed the major portion of his career
within the walls Of one other OF his majesty's
prisons They measured time by the length OF
the various sentences they had undergone. in
reminiscent moods speaking Of events as hap
pening Gust afore / did that stretch for peter
claiming" soon after got that there SKIER
for a measly madam" They were both middle
aged men; Bunny Price whose speciality was
card sharping but who dabbled in most other
forms of Illicit enterprise, was a stoutly oullt
little man. we'll dressed and well spoken: Will
lam Withers n small man. too put OF
more wizened exterior. and lacking the easy
carriage and ready address OF his companion.
He was SO to express it, merely Journeyman
criminal and had administrative genius
whatever. BY the shortness of Mr.. Bunny's hair
and his smoothly shaver face. it was plain to
see that he had not long come out OF prison.
William Withers the other hand. showed
plentiful crop Of grizzled locks under his greasy
hatbrim. and he had full set of whiskers
And so that's the last bit OF silver you pos
sess?' said Mr.. Price, with sigh.
William Withers. pushing half-crown piece
across the counter toward the barmaid. re-
marked: That's the last bit O. wedge" and he
ordered two bitters, with dash Of melancholy,
and Burton.
They drank as if they were performing a
painful duty
Cant you think O. nothing?" asked William
Wthers. at last.
That's what I'm thinking Of" replied Mr..
Price. My heads a fair aching void with
thinking of it."
We'll we can't afford to go bein' honest
much longer" said William Withers.
Il know that as well as you do" said Mr..
Price. irritably. why don't you say something
hepful?"
Now you're askin' me question" William
Wthers rejOined.
They silent for a space. Then the swing
ing door of the bar suddenly pushed open.
and lurched In upon them. He was big
and burly. had fat. infamed face. and wore
suit of raucous checks At sight of him
William Withers uttered involuntary cry OF
JOY. and Mr.. Bunny Price. in transport. NUT
tered: It's like al answer to prayer!"
The newcomer. without looking at them,
walked unsteadily to the bar. Mr.. Price winked
at William Withers. and. moving over to the
strangers side. touched him on the shoulder.
How do Mister -" he was beginning. In
soft voice.
But the other wheeled round swiftly, and
checked him Keep off my name. can't youT
ne whispered lercey scanning them both with
keen eyes oh It's you. is it," he added.
scowlng. ''Well?"
You'll shake hands. Mr. jones'" said Mr.
Bunny Price. overwhelmingly.
The stranger looked puzzled for instant;
then he Brlnned. with pleasure, MT smith,
said he; "and"-turning to William Wthers-
how Is Mr. Brown. eh?" The grin broadened
Into laugh. "What'n you have?" he cried.
"I1ere throw that muck away you're drnkn,
and have a brandy and soda wi me- old friends
Both of you. Come on now. Three brandies
and a large soda between, miss" he shouted.
dinging down sovereign.
William Wthers looked at the money greed
lily; but Mr.. Bunny Price continued TO smile and
regard Mr.. Jones with great good humor. And
how are you getting in the world, Mr..
Jones?" he asked
wouldn't call the Queen my aunt" said Mr..
Jones' Here's luck! Fill EN- up agin. miss.
And how are you two dOn. eh?"
MIR. Bunny Price sighed. "a little short Of
ready cash just at present, but very rich in
IDEAS"
ideas is three a penny nowadays-three
penny" said Mr.. Jones. scornfuliy. "Ideas!'
He spat. Here, look at this" lie pulled out u
big handful OF mixed coins. gold and silver.
Better than ideas eh?'
you've struck lucky, that's what you done"
said William Withers with conviction
MIR. Jones rived the air with his triumphant
laughter. He was at the boastful stage Of
Drunkenness and avowed that he made for
life. MADE for life and don't you forget it!
Where do you think I'm living now? Here you
along wi me and I'll show you something"
They had brandy and soda in the
Old Moon. and then sailed out. Mr.. Jones called
IA and Il Cd he cal,T IA driV tn