The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1902-01-11
put himself in an attitude Of defense.

Come on. SiE!h he cried. Come one
come all-and Britons strike home!'
Here he lunged at the young man, WHO
seemed much surprised at his behavior.
""Ere, cheese it," exclaimed the
youth III you're a-doin' 1t to keep
yerself warm, all right; on'y 1t amt
pretty. wanted to ave 9 word with
YOU"
Mr.. Taggett Immediately lowered his
arms and became dignified: folding his
arms, he nodded tA the young man to
proceed. II q mistaken. sir" he
said.
IT should think you was, replied the
other. "But / seed you come out OF
that 'ouse. an / thought maybe YOU
could give me a little information about
J the folks inside of 1t. I'm q good deal
Interested in the people in that 'ouse."
"Indeed?" said Mr.. Taggett, glanc-
ing at his companion, and mentally fit
ting him with a red wig and 9 smock
frock and putting him on as the comic
c~ountryman. I'm what way?"
It's a bit cold, talking in hi street
amt it?' returned the youth, %insinuat-
ingly. Suppose we was to step round
the corner and see what they keep
there, chi"
st perceive, sir said Mr.; Taggett,
smiling genially, chat you are a young
man with a. fine eyes for the true In
wardness Of things. Curiously enough,
this is about the hour at which I gem
orally slake a thirst which has ere now
proved expensive. Do not be alarmed,
however," he added, as the face Of the
youth grew suddenly grave. ct have
reduced It to a mere matter. Of pence
through sheer necessity"
Reassured, the gentleman of the New
market coat led the way. into side
street and / to d small bar which
opened conveniently at a corner. There,
after imbib:ng lert Of a glass OF hot
spirits, the spirits Of Mr.. Taggett rose
somewhat, and he became communl-
cative. 81 drink to you,s sir" he said,
as a sort Of a~ftertkcught.
Thanks. I SPOTTED you Wen I saw
you comm out of that 'ouse yesterdl AZ,
with an old gent with a sort of twist i'll
is legs"
.Ah,9 my honest friend, Cornelius Wee
vers," broke in Mr.. Taggett. "A
strange creature-yet with his good
points. In the matter Of liquor, I find
that his tastes agree with mine admir-
ably. But he has queer notions In his
head-very queer notions, my young
friend"
"ow's that??" asked the other, indif-
ferently. ME-.
Mr.. Tagge.t leaned toward. him and
lowered hist voice to a confidential
whisper. HE believes, ny dear sir,
that that house, from which have
just come, is haunted-or part OF 1t, at
least. Think Of that-for a sane man"
The ungainly youth suddenly became
deeply interested. "I've card about
that from a good many people" he said,
nodding his head, sagely. cts heen
put about that ghosts walk there-and
lights are seen-ard all that kind OF
thing; take my tip. it's a AXE"
personally said MI. Taggett, slow
ly and thoughtfully, Il do not believe
in such things. But perhaps there Is q
reason for my excellent friend, wee
vers, taking. a melancholy interest IN
such rhirgs. ) He told me yesterday,
over a friendly glass (and in this very
house, by the way,) that he had once
lost a dear son.. Probably the unhappy
fate-whatever It may have
that youth has preyed upon his mind.
One can never tell"
The gentleman in the Newmarket
coat was listening eagerly. you don't
'appen to know the name or age OF that
son. do you?" he asked. IT ave reason
for askin'; I'm not sure that don't
know something about i'm"
"Reallv?" Mr.. Taggett smiled delight
eddy. ''This is very wonderful! I cam
not say what the age of the son might
have been; but have a feeling he prob
ably ran away to sea.or something OF
the kind, in boyhood's hour, and never
returned. You will find that Is what
usually happens. On the stage and in
books he returns, after a space Of
years, and catches his aged father to
his breast"
IT wish I knew something more about
sim" went ON the other, speaking as il
to himself.
.And-now I come to think of it, he
informed me, in a burst of confidence,
that he had not seen his son since early
childhood; I believe he said that he
had separated from the mother, and
had returned to find the boy gene"
The youth emptied his glass Of spirits
at a gulp and put on his hat firmly.
sim glad I 'ad this ere talk with you"
he saiG.. ''I'm a-goin' back to the 'ouse
with you now. I am that sonH
Anthony Taggett stared at. him
amazsenent, and yet with'a growing de-
Fight; already he saw himself In n
very center Of The floor, introducing
this wandering son to the father Who
had hungered 81 lo1g for him.. m
striking an attitude expressive OF as
many emotions as possible, while they,
embraced. In his excitement he quite!
forgot to finish his liquor; Instead, ne
literally dragged him from the place.
rCome!!' he said; there is not q mo-
n.ent to be LOST Think, my young
friend, think how this old man, fast
tottering toward the confines OF the
tomb, has hungered and yearned for
his lost offspring! Do not keep Linn
waiting q moment longer than an pc,
avoided! Comet
They hurried out together, and almost.
ran around the corne to the gate: IN
the wail Of Rickerby's Folly. The Inn.
perious ringing of Mr.. Taggett at the,
bell brought out Cornelius Viewers. app
|sparently In no pleasant hurr.or; ne
stood holding the gate and looking up
and down, withgan il-favored grin p
on his face.
ssHs"Weli, anyone'd think you wanted
tofraise thesdead!" he snarled,ssaavage-
aNay. friend Viewers, not ttoraise the tns
SdaoadSSs h,1f "a hrfng { you onewtfo