Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1905-09-27

JUN ludOt Tic DIOuSht pAA-
low and rug, and left his curious
guest to rest. He himself lay awake
for some time in a condition of wonder,
not unmixed with vague excitement.
When he slept it was profoundly and
to an unusually late hour. He rose
to find his guest departed. His music
had vanished, and in its place was the
strangers parcel.
At first he was too overwhelmed for
action; he could do nothing but blindly
suffer under his misfortune. His
landlady was able to give him no in
formation beyond the statement that
she had heard the front door close
before she got up. Her curiosity as To
the contents of the parcel was greater
than her appreciation of Jacks loss.
He told her angrily to open 1t and
satisfy herself that he had been woe
fully tricked. Under the string she
discovered note, addressed simply to
"My Entertainer" 1t ran thus:
II have not stolen your work, but
merely borrowed it. If you will meet
me at 2 o'clock outside the Shamrock
restaurant / hope to convince you Of
my integrity. In the meantime per-
haps you viii accept the contents of
my parcel as a guarantee of my good
intentions, the more particularly as the
weather Is cold The garment was
honestly come by"
AS Jacks eye reached the close OF
this extraordinary communication a
cry from his landlady caused him to
look up. She was examining, in an
attitude of intense admiration, a
g..
"You don't seem pleased" said the
woman.
Don't you suppose my music was
worth more than this?' he said.
''You know best sir, Of course: but II
that overcoat's worth a penny It's
worth ESQ. l know, because my poor
man was in the line"
II don't want his Overcoat," groaned
Jack. Then. CHANGING again at the
note, he frightened up. "In run
round and see Nellie" he said.
Nellie listened to his story with wide
open eyes, and fewer Interruptions
than might have been expected.
When he had finished, she said:
"You must keep this appointment,
and If l were you I'd wear the over
coat"
Il will If you'll come with me-"
"But you'll be expected alone"
"Never mind; want you to see this
extraordinary person"
"And the missing music" said the
girl. II shall like him, know l shall,
because he had the sense to see that
your sonata was great"
81 didn't say he thought it was
great"
mo; but I'm sure he did think So"
Jack tried on the coat, but after
careful consideration of it's effect, both
decided it was too magnificent for the
rest of his attire.
"We'll have it made into a cloak or
something for you. Nellie" he said.
''No. no. You will soon be rich
enough to wear it,
IF it's to wait till then the moths
will have swallowed it. But. l dare
say, If it's really worth a lot of money,
we could sell it, and then. with what
furniture we have already, we
might"
YES" said Nellie softly.
At 2 o'clock precisely they ap-
preached the Shamrock restaurant in
considerable trepidation. AS they
paused near the entrance closed car
riage drove up, from which stepped
Jacks guest of the night before.
"Why that's the man in the fur-llned
oyercoat who was walking behind us
IN the Strand last night" Nellie whis-
oered. He was transformed; place
of thin and weathered garments, he
wore the conventional garb of the
prosperous. At sign from him the
coachman drove away.
Permit me-" he said, saluting Jack,
'sto return to-day the hospitality so
generously offered to me last night"
Jack could hardly collect himself
sufficiently to Introduce Nellie.
"My name," said the stranger, as
the embarrassed violinist paused help
lessly, sis McLoghlen."
When Jack heard the word 1t seemed
to him that all Piccadilly rang with
il, for it was the name by which a
great impresario was known.
81 took away your sonata this
morning." said McLoghlen, because
| wished to hear it played by greater
performer than either you or I. He
has already tried it: in fact, left him
at it an hour ago. l think can prom
Use you that he will play it In public
within MONTH"
Jack gasped, nor for some minutes
could he find appropriate words OF
thanks.
In the meantime Mr.. McLoghlen
busted himself in ordering lunch, for
which purpose he consulted Nellie
about the choice of dishes of which
she had never in her life heard be-
fore.
you are, 1 believe, violinist in the
orchestra
Yes" Jack answered.
IL think, If you will allow me, can
find you n better post You appear
bewildered."
I'm so much bewIldered that I
doubt my own existence"
II owe you an explanation, GER
tainly. Last night was In the stalls
at the - l had made bet with a
friend that l would get food and a
nights lodging for nothing. merely by
using my knowledge of character. He
scoffed at the idea. saw you and
decided to follow you up. I walked
down the Strand after you, and over
heard-f0rgive me-some Of your con-
versation. My carriage followed few
yards behind. Having seen your
home and marked the house, re-
turned to my carriage, where l had
prepared such disguise as l con-
ceived would best suit my purpose.
The rest you know. / am under a
double obligation to You. You justified
my belief in human nature, and you