The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-01-24
A BILL FROM TIFFANY'S
By Josiah Flint and Francis Walton.
Copyright by Mcclure. Phillips & Coz

Miss Sadie Meeker was a young woman
who was interested in the market value
of things; particularly in the market value
of herself. AS money-changer at the
desk in Major and Fairbanks her market
value was just 81 a week; but a woman's
real market value, as Sadie well knew,
is never what she can honestly earn, but
what the best man who wishes to marry
her can earn, whether honestly or not.
Later she came to think seven times out
of ten of her husband and the remaining
three of her children; but for the mo-
ment she was conscious mainly that Mar
gle Payne had married a saloon-keeper
and KIttle Darwin, a part owner in a
dance hall; and saloonkeepers and part
owners in dance halls are lords and land
ed gentry in the Under World.
Margie and Kittie had been Sadies next
friends, and for some time after their mar
riage she too would have been contented
TO wed a salConkeeper or a part owner in
dance hall; but after some hesitation
she concluded to become engaged to marry
Charley Minick Also his mustache curl
ed beautifully
Charley Minick in his 2Sth year
had achieved a knowledge how the world
is made He had joined the force with
resolution to be an "honest copper"
and his high aspirations still chung to
him, though they had became modified.
He would not be so honest as to be uh-
pleasant; he would be just little-oh!
the veriest trifle-better than his neigh
bors.
Il don't set up for no saint" said he
magnanimous Minick, "but there are
places where l draws the line"
A Pitt or Lincoln could have said no
more.
Margie's gifts from her lover had been
diamonds of price; Kittie's gifts from her
lover had been diamonds of even greater
price; and Sadie was perfectly aware of
every woman's inalienable right to pos
sess better jewels than any woman of her
acquaintance, if she can induce a man to
give them to her. She explained her views
to Minick with vigor and point; she re-
vealed to him the double jurisdiction I'M
der which he had agreed to live; he must
stand his trial in the judgment of her
peers.
''You wouldn't have me ashamed before
Kit and Margie, would your"
..The Pearl of Pie Alley couldn't stand
got the shape! But I forgot; it's a man
that's proud Of womans shape; the
woman's only proud of what she's got on
it,''
Even now they say I'm fool to tie up
with you. They say there's no scale in
your job the way there is in Jim's and
Bob's; they call you a hundred a-month
man; they say you don't take in nothing
on the side. Kit and Margie said last
nigh 1 was marrying you for your
'Mustache'.'
Exit and Margie!' said the alert detec
tive with theatric scorn. Exit and Margie
are a couple of clapper-tongued pot-wrest-
lers. You'll make your ears long as
government mules a-listen' to 'em. Jim
married Kit for her 'mustache,' you
know he did. and what she says O. mine
is pure envy!'
Eyes, I suppose. But I amt talking of
'mustaches'; I'm serious; it means lot
to me- You've got to get me what want;
that's what you marry me for! and you've
got to go to the right place to get it,
tel you those; 1 want to show Kit and
-dargie the box"
All right" laughed Minick, "Tll get
lou the box!''
Three days after this conversation there
was a great social "event' at the town
house of Edward Sandys of Sandys &
Merton, who served God and mankind to
the amount of some millions per annum.
They performed their service largely by
accepting a controlling interest in under
takings to which the name of Sandys e
Merton lent a commercial value. The
great social event with it great dis
play of plate and jewels, was followed by
Il Def 4I,
awakening of the Sandys household after
the festival a judiciously selected portion
Of the jewels had disappeared.
The reward offered was so large that
the Front Office was touched in its tend
crest sensibilities: there seemed something
almost wicked in declining to supply a
man, anxious to part with a sum like
that, with a chance to hand it over. The
instructions of the chief were a model
of manly eloquence:
Somebody's got to get that dough;
Sandys I'll t'row fit if he can't cough
up, and you coppers got to help him.
amt goin' to have the Eye people snake
in all the loose coin; l give it to you
straight. They moren did us on that
Hogan deal; an the papers roasted me.
They called me a 'jaundiced tutelary do
do; | don't know what the blamed thing
means, but / won't stand for it. You
fellows spread yourselves on this case,
you take my tip. Get your mouthpleces
on the run, bride 'em, pinch EN-, do what
you damn please, but get that dough. An
get the gun, too. Some O. the country
papers have been shoutin' bout this force
beln' crooked; they say that we're only
out for the dough in jobs like this, an
let the gun make a getaway. I'm sick
O tins hollerln'. and if it don't quit III
make every man jack of you sick of it
tool"
That afternoon an ornate reporters col
umn in one of the public prints consisted
of an interview with the subtle and COM
petent Detective Minick." Charley was
alleged to be working on the Sandys
case.
One morning while matters were at this
pass the chief handed Minick telegram
which was dated Akron, Ohio. 1t signi-
fed that one Bud Denmer, age &c. height
5 feet liz, complexion dark, eyes blue.