Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1904-12-02
A Jewel of
a Valet
BY N. QUA ID
Copyright, 1903. by c. b. Lewis.

"EFORE the coming of my valet
! my first and only one. who
~ departed this life few weeks
since. 10 my great sorrow
was plain James Burden. | was even
called Jim now and then, and the
"Mr." was left Off my name far oftener
than II was used. / was also generally
supposed TO be card sharper and TO
work little games on conhding human
nature. and more than once | over
/ heard il said that | would 20 two
/ blocks out Of my way rather than pass
a police station. | was I'm and out with
luck. sometimes having money TO spare
and again being almost driven to lodge
In doorway. | cannot doubt that
was steadily going to the bad when
met Charles. | encountered him at the
rooms OF an acquaintance where he
was making himself useful while wait
ing for a situation. 1t was very i'm
pudent Of a valet 10 suggest to a gen
tleman, and stranger AZ that, that Il
confidential chat between them else
where might lead to good results. but |
decided to overlook the break FOR once
and appoint nm hour. Charles was on
hand 10 the minute, and he brought
two trunks with him Before coming
upstairs he stopped and paid my land
lord the matter OF four, weeks rent
owed him and ordered bottle OF wine
and fair dinner from restaurant.
'Sir James" be said In answer to my
looks Of inquiry. 81 have brought your
wardrobe and will now dress you for
dinner. Tomorrow we will seek other
and more suitable lodgings Here is
the change from the twenty pound
note YOU sent out by me-"
have no doubt the fellow had stolen
the money rs well as the wardrobe.
but it was not for me TO find out. 1t
took my breath away for a minute 10
be addressed as "Slr James" but
found no fault with the title. 1t did
not need any reelection 10 satisfy mo
that the world would receive Sir James
Burden with open arms, even il doubt |
ing his title, where Jim Burden would |
be stopped at the door | found two |
full suits to 1T me reasonably well |
There were also ties collars. hats, !
shoes and socks, and when | was fully |
arrayed the valet placed a diamond |
ring on my finger and n pearl In my |
necktie. l accepted everything as my
due, and II seemed perfectly natural
that Charles shoulds wait upon me at
dinner and show me all Difference.
1t was only after the meal was finish
ed. the table cleared and I had lighted
a cigar from the expensive box he had
laid out for me that he quietly said
"If Sir James will sit down for a
moment Will show him something OF
interest "
| sat down, and he produced a pack
Of carr and manipulated them In n
way 10 astonish me. / had fiattered
myself that | was an old hand at the
business but within the hour he taught
No ten times more than | wot of.
We will not speak OF wages" he OBJ
served as we finished, "but think YOU
VIII cheerfully agree to pay me 10 per
'ent OF your gross earnings"
| agreed without hesitation. and
While l went out to look for new lodg-
ngs he went to n stationer's 10 order
ards for me. Next day we moved into
suit OF rooms In fashionable neigh
and astonlshed the landlord by
aging three months rent In advance.
'harles ordered a liberal supply of
vines, sent me 10 n fashionable tailor
or other clothes and directed me 10 !