The Brunswick news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1901-1903, 1902-12-07

barred from doing. The season was
spring. The occasion was the five mile
amateur championship Of the world al
Lille Bridge. | had just run and VOL
that event. and having donned my
sweater and overcoat, was walking
back to the dressing room when | was
accosted BY an elderly gentleman.
pardon me, sir" he said in tone OF
enthusiastic commentator, but you
ran superbly. The way you lost those
other fellows in the last lap was a
treat to witness. And you don't seem
much distressed by your efforts
either, he added, regarding me criti-
cally with his keen black eyes.
"Oh, not worth speaking Of, re-
piled, I'm in the very pink Just now.
And / finished with good bit up my
sleeve, as / generally do
.srhat was evident. he answered.
You had the other fellows IN hand all
the way. Excuse my asking, but am
Informed that you are one OF the junior
clerks in the Officer
s.You are informed correctly / re-
piled, somewhat surprised by this in
quiry on the part OF a total stranger.
And that your salary is only f75O
a yearg@
Really, answered. for | naturally
resented this sort OF catechism from a
man on whom | had never before set
eyes In my life Il don't see that my
salary is any concern of yours. How
ever, there's no secret about It. You
can and it for yourself in any direc-
tory, and 1t is the precise amount that
you have mentioned.
Forgive me" he exclaimed quickly.
Il had no intention to offend. But the
idea crossed my mind that man like
you-such a perfect specimen Of health
and igor-ought to be worth more
money.
There / quite agree with you" |
laughed. And If you can persuade
her majesty's government OF the fact !
shall be extremely Obliged to YOU
III yeu'll give me your attention for
five minutes I'll explain, he answered
gravely.
"Oh. III give You my attention right
enough | laughed rather fiippantly
I'm always ready to do that when
{ there are thousand poundses flying
about.
First, let me tell you who ! am he
replied. ignoring my sarcasm. II am
man not altogether unknown in the
medical world My name is Jasper
Harvey
sir Jasper Harveyl The celebrated
surgeon"
The celebrated surgeon since you
nre good enough to use the phrase,
he answered nodestly.
| looked at him In some suspicion.
Was he speaking the truth, or was he
merely an imposter with swindling de-
signs upon me that would peep out
later ong
He saw my suspicious and answered
them:
II see you doubt my bona fides, and
am not surprised. since you have
only my bare word for nv identity
with Sir Jasper Harvey. However,
can easily satisfy yea On tnat point
Are you engaged this EVENING"
replied in the negative.
'Then will you dine with me at my
house in Brook strece at 7.30? You
will thus be able to satisfy yourself
that / am really the man represent
myself to be, and we can further dis
cuss the matter TO which | have re-
ferred What do you say?"
After some slight hesitation said
! would go For at worst | thought
TO myself. III this man is an imposter
trying to hoax me | shall find 1t out
when arrive at Sir Jasper's house in
Brook street. While on the other
hand, il he is really Sir Jasper, and Is
kind enough to wish to put me in the
way of making thousand pounds It
would be rather foolish on my part not
at least to hear what he has to say.
Ten TO one, of course, there will be con
ditions attached that can't possibly
comply with. I've always heard that
sir Jasper is a bit Of character, with
some rather cranky ideas. and | dare
say this is one However, may as
well go and take the offehance of being
put on TO something sound.
When | arrived at the famous sur
geons house on Brook street ell my
doubts as to his identity with my in
serlocutor at Lille Bridge We're in
stantly dissipated. He received me in
his library with polite and courteous
greeting; then We repaired TO the din
ingroom and discussed simple but
admirably served repast, tete-a-tete.
Sir Jasper's conversation was pleasing
and interesting. He talked and talk
ed we'll. upon many public topics. But
not until we were seated over our wine
and the servants had withdrawn, did
he touch upon the particular matter
which was the object of our inter-
view.
Then he said, with almost startling
suddenness:
Il told you this afternoon that
could put you in the way Of making
thousand pounds
nodded, My heart began to beat To
me. who had not halfpenny of capt.
sal, thousand pounds seemed untold
wealth. What was to be called upon
to do in order to qualify for such af.
euence waited with eager Impotence