Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1905-08-16
WONDERFUL WIDCOMBE.

that WidcOmbe was ingenious, and your
ingenious people get the best of life
office life, at any rate For that reason
Widcombe was much admired and envied.
Not that we always approved of his
methods. we didn't. They were not
strictly honorable But he had no con-
science to speak OF. A day Oft from
work spent in the sunshine justified the
death of any number OF near and dear
relations, and it was those days in the
sunshine that we envied him. They
made us secretly regret that the golden
rules of our early training had sunk too
deeply to allow us to copy his question
able methods.
When first Widcombe came to the office
we thought him a man Of means. As far
as that goes, SO he was-of other peo-
Piles means. We soon found out our mis-
take ard received our first lesson in his
methods.
One morning a man put his head in
side the door and asked for Mr.. Wild
combe There was no mistaking this
man; his type haunts most large offices,
and he has fairly justly earned the nick
name of "Ghost." In appearance he is
something between an undertaker's man
and a down -at-the- heel back kitchen
door Photographic agent. In demeanor-
well, that depends largely on the length
of his dealings with you.
This one put his head into the room as
a feeler, and finding it came to no harm
his shabby black body followed it.
Mr. Widcombe," he said and it was
evident that he did not know that gentle.
man by sight Z
Before any of Us had recovered from
our surprise Widcombe was On his feet
"NIr Widcombe is not here" he said,
without a tremor. rs there anything we
can do for you?"
The ghost rubbed his hands.
I've a little business to transact with
Mr.. Widcombe,'' he said with a sly wink
when will he be back ?"
I'm afraid he won't be back at ALL
said Widcombe, with the face and voice
of the man who shudders at the worlds
wickedness. 4 hope you don't represent
more debts
What do you mean?" asked the man
sharply, bringing the polishing of his
hands to an abrupt close
Only" said Widcombe, that Mr.
fortnight ago and since then we have
had many painful interviews with his
numerous creditors ! hope yon are not
yet another, for we heard this morning
that his friends had given him a fresh
start and shipped him off to America
After a few more remarks the ghost
left, looking, if possible, shabbier than
ever, and we all turned to Widcombe. ex-
pecting some expression Of repentance.
That was a close thing, wasn't it 90
he asked, laughing heartily Didn't do
it well, eh? I wonder whether it will an
swer for good? By Jove! If I'd hap
pened to be out of the room I believe YOU
chaps would have given the show away -
We gasped fer breath; but we soon
learned more of Widcombe
A day or so later Radley told us that
his widowed landlady had come in for
quite respectable fortune, and that he
had a really soft thing now in the way
of lodgings. A sudden intimacy sprang
up between .,.--combe and Radlev, fol
lowed by marked GOODNESS on the latter's
part. Then we hearu that Radlev was
looking for a fresh home, and we were
not surprised to learn that Widcombe
had superseded him in the affections of
the moneyed widow, and was. in fact. an
aspirant for her hand.
But it was in the matter of time off
that Widcombe displayed his best talent.
No clergyman died but he remembered
that the departed had helped to guide
ms early footsteps, and he yearned to
place flowers on his open grave
He kept a book at hand containing
medical descriptions of the symptoms of
all the minor complaints, and there was
not doctor III his neighborhood who
mad not supplied him with certificate
emitting him to day or two's rest on
the stfength OF the feelings he described
as his own. His pulse must have puz-
zled them strangely at times; but they
gave nm the benefit of the doubt and
the certificate. If the heads of the office
had been less busy they might have no
tlced that Widcombe's health always sui
tered most round about the time of the
big races or cricket matches.
A few days prior to the match between
All-England and Australia Widcombe an
peared troubled
You chaps never help fellow with
suggestions he grumbled. 81 want TO
see the match
$50 do most Of US; but we sha'n't,'
said one.
I mean to- replied Widcombe emphat-
lcally; but | can't make up my mind
how"
Cant you bury another mother?''
sneered Radley.
My doctors are good for day" he
went on, but it's no use trying them
TOR three I'm SO beastly healthy
His audacity appalled, us. Three DAYS!
Surely even Widcombe couldn't manage
that! He evidently didn't find it easy,
Tor when he left his brow was still
clouded
In the middle OF the following morning
ne looked up from medical journal