Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1904-09-05
Observation-Disclosures
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time Skettle, and I'm on my back
again"
Old Skettle looked keen glance
at the handsome face and frank eyes
that were looking rather ruefully at
the ground.
Hitting below the belt is not con-
sidered fair is it, Master Jack?" he
asked.
"Eh, what?' said Jack, who had not
been paying much attention. mo,
according to the rules; but what do
you mean by the question? You are
always such a mysterious old idiot,
you know. You can't help it, sup
pose."
Old Skettle smiled, if the extraordi-
nary contortion of the wrinkled face
could be called by so fattering de-
signation.
'I've seen such mysterious things
since I first went into Mr.. Hudsley's
office to sweep the floor"
'Now, then,' said Jack, none Of
that game; going into the old story,
which I have heard hundred times,
of how you went as an Office boy and
have risen to the proud position Of
confidential clerk You're like one OF
the old fellows in the play, who draws
chair up to the footlights, and says,
It's seven long years ago and the
people begin to clear out into the re-
! freshment bar, and wait there till he's
done. Where we're you? Oh, 'mys-
terious experiences Well, go on"
But old Skettle had, apparently,
nothing to say; he had, while Jack
had been speaking, changed his mind.
'I beg pardon for stopping you,
Master jack he said. 81 felt
couldn't let you go out of the old
place without expressing my SYM
pathy."
sThanks, thanks" said Jack, holding
out his hand. you're one of the
right sort, Skettle, and SOS Hudsley.
| I believe he's sorry too. Looks a lit
| tie puzzled, too. Puzzled isn't the
word for what feel I've got the
sensation one experiences when he's
been sitting through one of the old
J
Mountaineering, or walking stick.
Poor Squire-well forgive him. He
had a right to do what he liked with
his own"
"Just so, Master Jack, but it's hard
for you," said Skettle. mot a mourn
ing-ring. By the way, sir,' and some
thing like blush crept over his
wrinkled face. Cliff you should be
in want of little money"
Jack stared, then laughed grim1y.
"Well, you certainly must be mad,
Skettle," he interrupted want
money! When didn't want it? But
don't you be idiot enough to lend me
any. It would be a jolly bad specu-
lation, old fellow. There is not a Jew
in London would take my paper. No,
Skettle, it would be downright rob-
berry, and I don't think I could rob
you, you know"
'Do you remember the day you
swan across the mill-pond, and
fished my little boy out, Master Jack?'
"You take care I shan't forget it,
Skettle," sadi Jack, with a smile est
was noble deed, wasn't it? Every
time you mention it, try to feel like
hero, but it won't come. How is
little Ned?'
Hes well, sir; he's in London now,
working his way up. He'd have been
in the church-yard If it hadn't been
for you"
'Why, Skettle, this is worse than
"Twas seven long years ago!'" ex-
i claimed Jack.
con that day, Master Jack, I swore
that if ever time came when I'd a
chance of serving you, I'd do it. 1t
did not seem very likely then, for we
all thought you'd be the next squire;
but now, Master Jack, I should be
grateful if you'd borrow ten pounds of
me-"
Nonsense" cried Jack. Don't be
an idiot, Skettle. You lawyer! why,
you're too soft for anything but a
washerwoman. There, goodbye; re-
member me to little Ned when you
write, and tell him I hope he'll grow
up little harder than his father.
skinny claw heartily.
Goodbye" and he shook the thin,
Old Skettle stood and looked after
him, his right hand fumbling in his
waistcoat pocket; and when Jack had
got quite out of sight he pulled the
hand out, and with it a small scrap of
paper with a few words written on it,
and seal. It was just such a scrap
of paper which might have been torn
from letter, and the seal was the
Davenant seal, with it's griffin and
spear plainly stamped.
Old Skettle looked at it moment
curiously, then shook his head.
mo, I was right after all in not Civ
ing it to him; it may be nothing
nothing at all. And yet-it's the
squire's handwriting, for it's his seal,
and what was it lying outside the ter
race for? Where's the other part of