The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-07-03
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TT REQUIRED some nerve, but up to
the present moment that has been
my heaviest asset. and the chance
to rake in cool $4,000 doesn't come
every day even to newspaper man.
Just think of it? That lad" was SO al
Turing.
"A beautiful young widow. possess
ing $4,000 in her own right, desires
kind, indulgent husband, who will as
sist in looking after her property. Call
at room No. II. No. 81 Muldoon street,
at 10 a. IN. Monday"
closed the paper and endeavored to
be calm. The description fitted me ex-
actly; 1t was a photograph. am kind:
I am certainly indulgent, and nothing
would suit me better than to assist in
looking after property. Surely. these
many years of scrubbing along on the
odds and ends Of literature have fitted
me for the job. That afternoon
dropped in on a friend in La Sale
street and got his advice about invest
ments. thought it was best to be pre-
pared.
1t was with some difficulty that sue
ceeded in borrowing spring suit from
the city editor, but I was sufficiently
desperate to hang on till he surrend-
cred, and at 10 a. m. l was the third
man in the line that stretched up the
stairway at No "a Muldoon street.
confess it gave me a pain to see the
class of fellows who had answered that
"ad." They were not in the least
adapted to the position, and I pitied
the poor girl. But then I was so close
to the head of the procession that it
would soon be over. I was glad l came
early. so as to save her.
The first in line entered the door at
the head of the stairs, and we all moved
up a step. He was a regular Willy boy,
with red vest, and mouthed a cane.
Mentally l gave him five minutes, but
he only required two. He came out
somewhat hurriedly, a panied express
sion on his eountenance and a tear in
his eye. Evidently the widow possessed
taste.
The second man looked like farmer
and had a fringe of whiskers under his
chin. I didn't think he'd last long. At
ter he disappeared took my turn fac
ing the door, and tried to count a hun
dred to still the throbbing of my heart
/ had never been so close to $4,000 be-
fore, and it rather ratified me. The
farmer didn't show up for quite
while. and I was beginning to have
sinking sensation in the stomach, when
the door opened few inches and a
man stuck his head out
Come, step along lively now, No.
g." he said hoarsely.
Showed by the fellow in my rear
went in, and the door closed behind me-
1t was big room but somehow it
hardly met my ideal of the boudoir of
$4,000 beauty. But, then. she might
! be eccentric; it was a good sign, any,
how, that she was not inclined to ex-
| travagance. l was eagerly scanning
the dim recesses for a glimpse of the
| charming creature when / was rudely
shocked.
Three dollars. please" said the man
gruffly, and he held out his hand.
"But-but," stammered, remember.
/ ing that l only had five and that my
last weeks board bill was yet in ar
rears, II didn't know
"Oh. stow that" he interrupted sar-
castically. ITS either put up or get
out and give the others chance. Any
how, you get the cash back If she
doesn't cotton to you. and we've got to
have some sort of guarantee that you
mean business. Besides, what's three
dollars amount to alongside of seventy
five thousand dollars?"
That was strong argument, and
with sigh dug down and produced"
The next moment a curtain was lifted,
and was in the precence. Say, 1t was
the event of my life. She may not have
been exactly all had hoped-there was
a trlfie more paint than ] admire, and
the hair was somewhat warm. But
with that picture hat and $4,000; well,
saw my finish.
you have come" she said softly, ex-
tending her hand and gently drawing
me down beside her on a faded sofa,
Il presume, In answer to my advertise
ment. This is of course very embar-
RAISING to me, but | must be frank.
May say, then, that your appearance
pleases me greatly; | am sure you
would prove to be a kind husband, and
that ! shall make no mistake in in
trusting you with my love-"
That was indeed moment of ecs-
tasy. l could not speak, but held her
hand, and planned trip to Europe.
II really do not feel now," she mur-
INJURED, and l was conscious that her
hair brushed my cheek, that I have
any desire to see the others, now that
! have met you, but Mr.. Smith is such
strict business man that he will prob
ably insist"
The thought startled me.
But surely" / began, but was in
stantly interrupted,
Fear nothing, for feel that you are
my affinity and l have already given
you my heart. The seeing of the others
is merely form which must be gone
through with But do not seek me
again at this place. Tomorrow / will
write you and tell you where to call
upon me at my own home. And now.
until then. good bye"