The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-05-18

seems q : were expected, Ell, Billg Cncom-
mon thoughtful of 'em to place light re-
freshments at our disposal What dye say?
Shall we ave a drain fore we sets to
work."
Bill opined it would be as we'll to do "a
wet, by way Of stimulating their energies,
and bottles clinked against glasses and the
two artists troubled in no way as to the
absence of water. mineral or otherwise
Neat" was good enough for them. The
generous spirit warmed and comforted
them. They saw around them a sufficiency
of the superfuities of life. so affected by
the rich and worldly minded as to enable
them to dispense with any mechanical as
sistance. They had only to take what they
wanted and go their way.
Cigars, / do declarer' exclaimed Jim
Let's ave a smoke. We are enjoyin' our
selves. and no mistake. Ere. Chawley,
lock that door. will yer! Best to take pre-
caushUns in case o surprise
There amt no key to it," said the boy.
mo key! that's a rum go. These ere
friends of yourn, Bill, seem temptin' Provi-
dence like. 'Ullo. what's that?'
For the screen was gently folded aside
and looking a. him with the friendly smile
was Chawley's friend
Pray make yourselves at home, my
friends he said, glancing from one to the
other. II quite agree with you that one
half of the world has too many good things,
the other not enough. l am pleased to offer
you some of my superiority"
They stared and their eyes grew savage,
and the lowered brows threatening.
"Confound you! What do you mean?"
muttered Surly Jim. Whats your game?"
Just yourselves" he answered calmly.
Tell me what you want, and I'll give it
you, if your demands are in any way rea-
sonable. You think there's too much sill
Yer about. 1 quite agree with you. 1 have
remarked that to my father many times.
Would you like to relieve us of some?
Those cups and dishes date from the days
of the. Kingmaker, Warwick, as perhaps
you-don't know. History doesn't interest
members of your profession. Yet that pro-
fession also dates back to kingmakers.
There was one Robin Hood, you KNOW
"Oh. stow your rotr' exclaimed surly
Jim. I'VE amt ere to listen to that OF
course, you've got servants and all that to
set We're in a trap. What dye
mean to do?'
Nothing" answered the young fellow
coolly, except to ask you to favor me
with a reason for this unannounced visit
Pray, don't be uneasy. No one will intrude.
The men-servants are asleep, my father is
far out of earshot. and lam quite capable
of taking care of myself"
His hand went TO the breast of his loose
flannel coat. He took out a tiny revolver
"a mere toy, but with something menacing
in its shining barrel, though there was only
a cool smile and mirthful glance TO cover
the threat Of it's possible use.
Il assure you | mean what / say" he
continued. Drink, smoke and be merry,
If you can. Inform me of your immediate
needs, and l will do my best TO relieve
them. It's pity sometimes to break laws,
though I'm Radical enough myself to hate
them. interfering with the free will of
the human entity! You, my friends, are
human entities. and should possess free
wills. Again say drink. smoke, and ex-
plain your needs to me-"
The bewilderment on the mems faces was
almost comic. but the awe and admiration
on that of the little lad offered a strange
and pathetic contrast.
Il gave Charley shilling to-day" con-
L
surprised that he should take the trouble
of coming all this way TO thank me. 1t
shows there are grateful hearts still in
the world 1 hope your mother found a
resting place somewhere, Charley? She was
looking very tired, so were you; in fact,
so you. 1 think it's time you went to
bed If your father permits, you shall
have shakedown here tonight and go
your way tomorrow, unless, that is to
say. you prefer to remain on as stable help,
or something of that sort But, dear me,
gentlemen, what is the matter? You're not
going. surely?"
Coin" exclaimed Surly Jim. well, I'm
hanged if ever 1 heard such gaffer as you.
Dye ever stop talkin'? Are you sure your
health won't suffer? I'd take somethin'
for it. Ere, Bill cut this. 1 don't want no
more o his chaff. 'Anged if 1 know why
e doesn't give us in charge. Anyhow, I've
ad enough O. it. l don't mind tellin you
sir, though L don't expect as you'll believe
me- that this is the fust-the very fust-
time as I've been in a job o. this sort; and,
by Jove! if you'll keep your word, and and
me over a soverin', say, to keep me goin'
till 1 gets work, I'll swear it'll be my
larst!"
"A sovereign-certainly; one apiece, only
you'll not trust me, I suppose, to go up TO
my room for it. 1 haven't got my purse
about me-"
iii trust you, sure eno',' said Surly Jim.
You're the FUNNIEST card I've ever come
across, amt he. Bill?"
"'E is" agreed Bill. helping himself to
another glass of whisky; land what e
means, and why e does it. jiggers me. Your
good 'ealth, sir, and l wish there was more
like you in the world. I'm a bad lot, and
1 will say twas L put Jim up to this ere
lay tonight; but / knows a gentleman
when L meets one, and 'ere's to you, sir,
and many of EN-
The wish was little incoherent, so was
Bills speech. But when the morning found
him and Jim sleeping calmly under a shed
in the yard, each held in his hand an un-
smoked cigar and gold imprint from his
Majesty's mint. Where they tramped and
how they lived was not for Dick Dorring-
ton TO know-nor did he question it.
But he kept Charley as hostage for the
future good behavior of Surley Jim, and
so made one life happy.
copyright. 1927
OUT OF THE ORDINARY.