Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1903-05-12

odd bits of information for his own
self-protection, and If any of the peo-
pie on his list undertook to impose
on him or to hold him to account for
any of his vagariessor Irregularities,
why, he-had the edge on them. No
one knew anything Of Hillsman's
strange collection, but people did
know that he had a wonderfully i'm
quiring mind, and a memory Of other
mems lapses and peccadillos which
was both appalling and embarrassing.
Warde at first surmised that the
consultations between Merivale and
Franklin had not taken place in the
latter's Office without Hillsman's
learning something Of them, and SO
he began quietly to cultivate that
individuals society.
The clerk did not prove very COM
municative, and Warde came to the
conclusion that it was because he
knew but little. Hillsman's idea was
that q big land purchase Of some
kind was in contemplation, but for
what purpose he could not say.
While Warde was still hoping that
he would be able to learn something
from this source, Hillsman was dis
charged from Col. Franllin's employ
ment on the ground of too frequent
drunkenness, and because he had coll
lected considerable sum of money
for his employer and while under the
the influence of liquor had gambled it
away. When Warde heard this he.
abandoned any hope of getting any
trustworthy information from Hills
man.
But q singular thing happened that
very night. Warde's habit was to
take light lunch about midnight.
and he usually got it ut a. restaurant
which was then great resort in the
city. This hosteiry kept open all
night, and sold everything in the line
of liquors and food, from o glass of
beer to q crisply cooked pompano.
There was scarcely an hour Of the
night when it was not filed with
guests. It was great rendezvous
for actors and persons who had been
to the theater. The fast young men
about town and the gentlemen gam
blers made it their midnight meeting
place. Here weH-known politicians
who had been at work under cover
OF darkness usually topped OF their.
labors with a plate of oysters or
bottle of champagne. The place was
always cheerful and inviting, and gave
a bright side to the night life of the
lefty.
| When Warde entered nearly all the
tables were occupied by the guests.
In q distant corner, however, he saw
Hillsman sitting alone.
| The clerk saw him at the same time
and rather hilaricusly beckoned to
him. Irving accordingly seated him
lsef at Hillsman's table. He soon dis
lowered that Hitlsman was in a weav-
Ting way; his face was flushed, his
eye had an artificial lustre, and it
was evident that he had! imbibed not
wisely, but too much. He was in q
maudlin good humor. He had been
fred that morning, and he was
glad of it. He had q sense of relief,
which he easily persuaded himself
was delightful. There was really
some fun in getting fred, and he was
determined to celebrate in thorough
land painstalking manner. And so with
malice aforethought he was rapidly
approaching q state Of complete al
cohnlic Niryana.
He had welcomed Warde effusiyely
and told him reckl essly to order what
he wanted. The limitation was ac-
cepted, and, as he was hungry and
through work for the night, he or
deFea . substantial supper. While
they were waiting, Hillsman insisted
on their taking drink together, and
the liquor was soon forthcoming.
II suppose you heard about my be-
ing fred by the governor this morn
ing" said Hillsman, tossing of large
drink Of whisky.
Yes," said Warde, what was the
matter?' s.
.Why, he complained about my
drinking, and accused me OF getting
drunk. told him pretty plain that /
didn't see any reason why he should
do the entire drinking for the Office
What did he say to that ~
Why, he cnssed me, but femme tel
you, Irv Warde, Just between you and
me, the governor made big mistake
when he cussed me and fired me ont
4 know blamed sight more than he
gives me credit for. I'll make him
knuckle to me yet; just put that IL
your note book and .writs her IN il
Ing type, I've got snmething Ia my
Iposket here. tapping his breast,
"WhiGA Col. Franklin would like to
Ihave. He don't know I've lot it,
either
irying.s curiosity was now aroused,
and he made up his mind to find out
what II was that Hillsman had. HIS
thoughts wayered between the
Wright case and the mysterious Mer-
iyale, and he felt intuitiyely that the
paper to which Hillsman referred had
come connection with the matter in
which he was deeply Interested. It
was easy to see that the clerk would
In the course Of an hour or two be
ldensely intoxicated, and Warde con-
cluded that he would cling to him and
wrest the secret from him IL 1t took
al night, He accordingly called for
Ianother round, and they ate and
talked and drank so freely that
i SyVo vdo h{v,ncn1&s n,~ya >vnr,, vf5a,.n