Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1903-09-23

The PAPER WHICH HE HAD OBJ
TANNED FROM FRANK HILLSMAN.
densely intoxicated, and Warde con-
Guided that he would cling to him and
wrest the secret from him if it took
all night. He accordingly called for
another round, and they ate and
talked and drank so freely that
Warde himself gave every evidence
of being intoxicated 1t was two
o'clock when they arose from the ia
bic and settled their score. Then Irv-
ing, rather uncertainty, but with COM
mendable frmness, assisted his more
unbalanced companion out, and they
locked arms with the intention of go
ing to Hillsman's room. On the way
they became very affectionate and
confidential, and Warde in broken ac-
cents, swore that Franklin had treat
ed Hillsman like brute.
''Thish paper II fix him." said Hills
man thickly
What paper?" said Irving, no less
thickly.
''Thish paper in my pocket. / bet
he'll give me $4,000 for it,
Hope you'll make him pay every
cent of it,
'See here, Irv, you're my fren,' amt
you? Well, now, / want you to look
over this paper, and tell me how much
to ask for it. Look at it when you'sh
shober.''
He handed the coveted paper over
to Warde, who placed it with drunken
dol; 4; 10 Il
then buttoned up his coat.
They pursued their zigzag way up
the street until they were suddenly
stopped by a dark, stalwart man in
heavy cloak. 1t was Col. Franklin.
You're the very man [ want to
see," said Franklin roughly.
Hello, Colonel, how are you?" said
Frank, gayly.
Colonel who?" said Irving. ooh,
yesh; it's Col. Frank Benjamin. Lesh
all go and take drink
4ou're both drunk enough, now"
said the colonel sharply, 'and / refuse
to participate in your beastly revels.
But | want to see this drunkard
here indicating Frank, eff you can
spare him.
''All right" And Irving leaned heav-
lily, but gratefully, against the door
OF store. while Franklin rather
loudly demanded of Hillsman:
what have you done with the pa
per Morris gave you for me?"
What paper, colonel?" said Frank,
sobered and frightened at the sudden
| ness of the question.
You know what paper Z mean. I
have heard from him to-day by letter
from China, and he writes me that he
gave the paper to you, and l propose
to have i'll"
Irving broke in here: "Come. gen
| tlemen, don't quarrel here. Lesh all
have friendly drink
ooh, go to grass!" said the colonel
angrily.
Colonel, won't do it." said Irving
with dignity. 'I've got to take Frank
home"
"Never mind Frank. I'll take him
home. You've got a big enough job
to take yourself home.''
Cali right, Colonel. I'll hold you
personally responsible when you So
Der up. Goodby. I'll see you later"
And he reeled away, leaving Frank
| and the colonel to fight it out. AS
soon as he reached cross street he
turned into it, Strengthened himself
up, and walked briskly to a hotel;
for he did not care to be found in
his room that night. The clerk gave
him room without entering his
name ON the register, and he retired
at once to read the paper which he
had obtained from Frank Hillsman.
Warde's intoxication that night was
of course all trick. Though he had
ostensibly disposed of several drinks
of whisky, he had as matter of
fact simply elected the liquor into the
glass of water which accompanies
each drink. So when he reached his
room at the hotel he was as sober
as he had been when he met Hillsman.