The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1903-05-01


glpwci with satisfaction as he noted hnU
he had scored over the grcencrocer, wine
WIS 10" Dusy with Il customer to witncs.
the phenomenon, and the landlord o
The BIur Dragon ri bed his hands ut tlie
Thought -! the thirst likely to he cngend,
cred by IT," strife of Tongues in the bar.
r:rl"r tl:,rt evening.
T Never had Rrig%a found the street so
full II" !i&rd his eyes on the friendly
haven uf Ihc Bank anI raced up the
hill His grip on the gold almost forced
the pieces through the skin. 1t perhaps
made him speed the faster At last. at
last-oh, never had the wav seemed So
on at last the tank grew big before
h m, and as the + ding doors received
him the craw ; or>.. thed again
Within ti-> La the appearance Of
things has lnGc but little. In the
absence of t.; 2nior. the Office boy had
been maxim: Himself agreeable to the
girl who w. 4 wv seated upon stool
brought from behind the counter.
She started up, AID the stool fell over
rs the apparatiou gIided in between the
folding doors. The Office boy started up
in sympathy with her, and his stool reeled
with excitement.
With the little breath remaining in
him, Briggs blurted out something relat-
ing to ian engagement-very sorry-de-
tanned longer than any reason to antici-
pate" and then in answer to the quest
ioning glance at his shirt sleeves he was
proceeding to assure her that his desire
not to keep her waiting accounted for
their being i'll view, as he had found that
Jacket and waistcoat would have
seriously impcdcd his speedy return,
when the doors opened once more and
the form Of an old gentleman tottercd up
to the counter.
This was the last straw. The distracted
Briggs pushed The hard-gaincd coin
across The counter to the girl, and dashed
into the back room.
1T is the only way" the wrctched
Briggs decided, as hastily pulling down
the register of the fre-grate, and adding
some paper and straw to the summer
Communications it contained, he applied
a match to the heap. For moment he
watched to see it we'll alight. He must
have no mistake this time. Then closing
the door he turned to his place.
at is a lovely morning, SIR" said
Briggs, referring doubtless to the old
geutleman'S point Of view.
Indeed SO, said the old gentleman.
taking out his pocket-casc, and placing
upon tie counter some notes and gold.
The old gentleman was going to pay in
Why, oh why had he struck that fatal
match. IIeglanced apprchensivcly in the
direction of the door.
The old gentleman, noting the look,
glanced also. Fire, he quavercd, and
wildly snatching up his notes and gold
toddled towards the exit as smoke came
pouring out through the chnks and
ere vices.
Briggs WAS over the counter at
bound. Safety was within his grasp.
ut is all right, pray do not alarm
yourself sir. will go ard see to it in a
minute, but need not keep you waiting.
Only the steam from my jacket drying
before the FIRE. Caught in the rain You
see, said he exhibiting his shirt sleeves.
The old gentleman looked bewildered
Rain" said he for there had been no
rain at Rotllmorc for weeks.
YES, very wet-thunderstorm, YOU
know" said Briggs. He was in for it
now, and he must see it through some
how. The sooner the better, for the
smoke was increasing.
Thunderstorm" repeated the Old cen-
.lema.l, fccbly.
Perhaps you didn't get it here. Very
ocal l believe, very local." said Briggs,
gaining courage as the old gentleman
lesitated
1T smells very like burning" said the
Did gentleman
Perhaps it is my coat; but its of no
Pray don't let me keep
'ou, sir" said Briggs, gallantly. 81 can
Zee to that afterwards"
And the old gentleman handed over the
totes and gold.
THAT young man is getting quite
ivil," thought he. as he was bowed
through the folding doors.
Don't sit gasping there you little SIM
'leton," screamed Briggs to the boy as
he old gentleman vanished. There's a
oail of water behind the door"
The Usual Way.
Just as Mr.. Payrcnter dozed off III his
asy chair there was a ring at the front
loor. Fastening into the hall Mr.. Pay
enter admitted his landlord, who entered
With a pleasant smile and a hearty greet
ng.
Good evening Mr.. Payrenter," gladto
&c YOU"
Glad you called" replied Mr.. Pay
enter Il wasjust thinking of calling
round to sec you tomorrow
"Ivc been expecting you for several
ays," said the landlord, taking the
roffered easy chair, but rs you didn't
ONE around thought I'd drop in as l
vent by"
Glad you did. I"
"Well, here l am. l suppose you want
one repairs made on the house this
pring?"
We'll, thought YOU would I've willing
o fix up little bit in view Of
Glad to do i; glad to do it, Mr. Pay
enter. Always a pleasure, assure you,
. accommodate a good tenant. House
ceds papcriag. You have Mrs. Pay
enter go down to the wall paper shop
and pick out the paper she
wants and I'll send the papcrhangcrs
light out
Il thank you most
80, that's Ill right, Woodwurk needs
ouch;ng up. too. I'll have the painters
ONE out and attend to it right away
You are very kind lin
Not at all. Not ut nil Glad todoic
& tier have Il new set of window and
DOR screens made while we're about il.
NE old ones must be in pretty bad
hapc."
ives, the
And while were about it guess NC
night as well paint the house all over.
at would add "a it's looks and wr'd-"
I'm have it attcHdcd 10 at oupr. Let