Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1903-01-02

mon sense, and ty degrees 1t dawned upo
him that Mr.. Shells project, when r
moved of its top dressing of religion, WI
In its naked self something very diferef
from what he had at first been drawn
believe. AS this idea grew upon him IL
devotional droop faded from the cornel
of his lips, and his mouth drew to u hare
straight line scarcely to be distinguishe
among the curving bristles Of hair whic
surrounded 1t. But he made no interruI
ton and drank in every word TILL tn
speaker had delivered the whole OF his say
Then he uttered his decision.
$50, gentlemen, you are standing
partners over this precious businessf An
because you know me to be poor, brok
man, with wife and family, you NATURAL
think you can buy me to work for you OF
the straight. Well, perhaps that's posi-
BILE, but there are two ways of doing II
and of the two like Mr. Cambel's best
When mans blackguard, 1t don
make him swallow any the sweeter 10
setting up to be little tin saint. And
don't mind who say that to-"
my good man." snarled Shelf, do yo'
mean to threaten me?"
mo, don't. just gave you my owl
opinion, as from man to man, just because
respect myself. But I'm not going rount
to your chapel to shout 1t out to them tina
sit under you Sundays. They wouldn't
believe me II I did, not now at any rate
Besides it wouldn't do me any good, anc
/ couldn't afford 1t. I'm needy man
Mr.. Shelf, as you have guessed, and that's
why I'm going to accept your offer. But
don't let us have any misunderstanding
between ourselves as to what ii foots uI
/ to.
What I'm going to sign on for direct
! ly, when you hand me the papers, is
spell of piracy on the high seas, neither
more nor less. And I'm going to have
money all paid down in advance before
ring an engine bell on your blasted tramp
of a steamer. / guess that's fair enough.
My family1l want something to go on
with II I'm caught, and If ones found out
1T this game it's just common ordinary
hanging matter-yes, sir, swing by the
neck till I'm dead as an ak, and may the
Lord have mercy on your miserable tag OF
q soul. That's what this tea party means,
and for your dirty $500 you're buying q
live human man."
CHAPTER VI
FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND POUNDS IN GOLD.
The little red bearded man had gone,
slamming the door noisily behind him.
Shelf mopped his large white face with
scented pocket handkerchief do you
think" he said nervously, do you think
We may trust bimf'
ITO begin with, we've got to now,
whether we like it or not. He's nothing to
gain by playing traitor"
But would he betray us in case Of sue
cesss''
Perhaps" said Cambel, The won't
have the chance. Other hands on that
steamer will have to share the secret in
whole or in part. Perhaps they won all
Of them come through it alive. If you re-
member that we are plotting deliberate
piracy on the high seas, you will recognize
that there is precedent for considerable
percentage of casualties.
The city man shuddered. Through the
double windows came the sullen roar OF q
London street, and In Imagination he
seemed to distinguish the howl Of the
crowd Joined in execration against him.
His eye fell upon paper on the desk.
1t was the formal notice from her bankers
that his wife's account was heavily over
drawn. He lifted the paper and tore 1t
with his teeth, then smote the table SO that
geysers flew from the ink wells. But his
passion found no outlet in words. He
spoke In his platform voice and said moth
Ing about the prime compelling force.
1--WE will not talk of these unpleasant
details, IL you please, Mr.. Cambel. my
heart is weak, l think, and they turn me
sick. But, at whatever cost, we must go
through with the affair. 1t is necessary
that make heavy coup within the next
or the consequences may be disas-
trous. -
Marmaduke Rivers g. Shelf will go
iowni Quite so. also am at the end OF
my cash balance so that money seems to
DO the impelling power for each of us.
And, after all, suppose it's natural. Out
Of fiction men don't gamble with their
necks for the sheer amusement of the
hing. They either do 1t for the love of
place. or the love of woman, or the love
If gold, and of the three the last is the .
best prize to win, because with 1t you can
BUY the others But come, now, wake up,
'ir, and let's get on with the business
IN not SO sweet on this city atmosphere
If yours that l care to spend another
How are you going to raise the speciey'
IN proceed about it at once, said
Shelf, pressing another of the buttons on
lis desk. :" on may as well witness ev-
ny step Of the process.
In answer to the bell Fairfax came into
he room, nodded rather stifily to Cambel
md turned to Shelf with an expectant
Yes, SIR
In terse brsinesslike phrase his princi-
,al touched upon the silver crisis in
America and the gold famine in the
outhern states. Then he explained the
ETERNAL view Of his projected enterprise.
The Port Edes," be said, sis in the Her.
ulaneum d k, returned on our hands
oday. Wire Liverpool at once asking for
reights to Norfolk, Va; Pensacola, Fla;
dobile, Ala, or New Orleans at lowest
ates. New Orleans is her final port and
fer that al 10 per cent less. Captain
)wen Kettle will be in command, and he
ails in four days from now.
When you have deputed your clerks to
o this, 60 yourself to the bank and nego-
late for half a million in gold to be deliv-
red on board the Port Edes in dock. The
assurance policy on the money will be de
osited with the bank to secure them in
nll for the loan itself, and for their other
harges the credit Of the house will easily
affice. That clearf"
Perfectly, said Fairfax, but should
Ike to remind you Of one thing-wharf
,efts at New Orleans are notorious and
ou'll have to pay heavily to insure against
,em."