The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1902-02-26
FrederiCk'S Il
Double &
Scoop ~
BY FRANCIS c. DARLING
Copyright, 1901. by A. s. Richardson


Paul Frederick stood in front Of a
Park row cafe usually denominated the
Second Press club. He was smoking
huge cigar that with the cocktail he
had just purchased within had con-
sumed his entire capital. The fact
that he was absolutely without funds
did not detraet from his appreciation
of the aroma of the Havana. The
situation lacked the charm of novelty.
Frederick was too Independent to SUBJ
NIT to the petty rules governing the
Office. This was his third vacation"
In four months. Now, with his money
all gone, he looked down the street at
The Globe Office and wondered whether
Carson, the city editor, was ready to
take him back
AS he looked two men came out of
the entrance to The Globe. One ran
round the corner In the direction of the
Press club The other started up the
street also on the run. When the lat
ter saw Frederick, he stopped abrupt
ly. Then he came forward slowly.
Paul taking no apparent notice of his
approach. lie ranged alongside with
an evident effort to appear uneoncern-
ed. "Hello, Paulr he cried. "Have a
drink"
Frederick looked up with an air of
surprise wholly at variance with the
interest with which he had regarded
the approach. "Why, hello, Harriganl'
he cried cordially mo, thanks. 1
don't want drink; just had one." He
blew cloud of smoke in Harrigan's
direction and mentally congratulated
himself that he had been able to afford
a good one.
Freddy Harrlgan shifted apprecia-
lively, and his face fell. Say" he re-
marked casually, "if you don't want a
drink l can give you a tip. You go
see Carson quick, and think he'll take
you on. lie needs man, and I'm
Z Ffsde}ick s4lnmsd fe csIeeffully. Il be.
lieve you are glad you saw me, Fred
dy," he said patronizingly; "also l ap-
preciate the value of your tip. You
run back to the office. Tell Carson you
found me smoking a perfecto. I'll be
here In front of Oscars for the next
twenty minutes. Now, scoot."
lob. say" rctorted Harrlgan, you
needn't be so Independent. Here, out
of the goodness of my heart, / offer
you drink and give you tip. Then
you turn round and call me messen-
ger boy"
Frederick patted him on the back.
you're good copy reader, Freddy,
but you're too poor a liar to make
good reporter. You and Johnson came
out of the door with much haste. John
ny sneaks around to the Press club.
You start up here, but break to walk
when you see me. You make a casual
play. You've got the price Of two balls
and want to blow it. II you've got a
quarter this late in the week, Carson
gave 1t to you for bait. If he staked
you, he wants me, and wants me bad.
Now, run on and don't forget to tell
him Pm still smoking up"
Harrlgan went briskly back to the
Office Frederick went on smoking,
concentrating his gaze upon the crowd
idling in the June sunshine and watch
ing the tunnel workmen in City Hall
park.
The smoke served as barometer to
Carson, who came up the street. Fred
erick could smoke anything from Guilty
to the best of Cuban leaf. Between
the two lay a hundred shades Of finan-
cial expression. When he smoked
pipe, he was tractable. The better the
cigar the less amenable was he to dis
cipline.
Carson clapped him on the back.
Frederick turned. "Hello, Carson!" he
exclaimed. $50 you did want me,
eh?"
Carson stamped impatiently. Don't
waste time fencing. | need you or
would not have come after. you. Do
you suppose | can chase the row every
time I want new man? How much
money have your?
Enough to buy smokes with. What
more can wantW
'The st. Paul leaves In forty min
utes. Get on board. ]. II. Philbrick,
the head Of the new copper trust, Is ON
the ship. 1t is supposed he wants to
get English capital. If you can get the
story, Fenton, our London man will
meet you at Southampton. Have the
story ready for cabling. You do that,
and III see you get your job back.
Now, run for it. Pay your fare, and
FentOn will make good"
Haven't got the fare;. only ex-
penses." said Frederick.
Carson looked blank.
SNEAK ite' he said, Frightening,
"Use my card and tell the purser I
will make It alright with the steamer
people"
"All right. Send it by Fenton, so I
can square up before leave the steam
er. They might hold me In pawn, you
know"
Carson laughed. "All right, but for
heavens sake get away. You'll miss
the steamer"
Frederick's whistle woke sleepy
cabman under the city hall trees. As
he came across the car tracks Paul
turned to his companion. "Got any
small change for the cabY' he asked.
"All have Is one fifty dollar BILL"
Carson thrust small wad of bills at
him and bundled Paul into the vehicle.
American HDe pier double quick.
Goodby, Frederick"
Within the cab Frederick smoothed
out the bills. There was SO. Two for