Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1906-08-23
CHAPTER XvII.-(Continued.l

/
might be expected a washing STAND. This
article was Ct the description one often
sees; above the level OF the stand itself
there rose a wooden screen TO the height
! of two feet and a half. covered with pref
| ty tiles, the presumable object being 10
protect the wall paper. l never saw a
more innocent looking bit of furniture it
might have stood in a lady's dressing
room. The Signorina went up to it and
| slid it gently on one side: it moved in a
groove. Then she pressed a spot in the
wall behind and small piece Of it rolled
aside disclosing a keyhole.
He's taken the key, of course" she
said. I'VE must break it open. Who's
got hammer"
| Tools were procured, and, working IN
| der the Signorina's directions, after a
good deal of trouble. we laid bare a neat
little safe embedded in the wall. This
safe was legibly inscribed on the outside,
| Burglars Puzzle" We, however, were
not afraid of making a noise, and it only
| puzzled us for ten minutes.
When opened it revealed a Golconda
| There lay in securities and cash no less
than 100000.
we smiled at one another.
80 sad revelation" l remarked.
"Hoary old fox - said the Colonel.
! No wonder the harbor works were IN
remunerative in their early stages. The
President must have kept them at very
early stage.
What are you people up to-" cried
Carr.
Rank burglary, my dear boy" l re-
piled, and we retreated with our spoil.
Now" said l to the Colonel, what
are you going to dog
why, what do you think, Mr.. Mar
TIM" interposed the Signorina. Hes
going to give you your money, and divide
the rest with his sincere friend, Christina
Nugent."
well, 1 suppose So" said the Colonel.
But it strikes me you are making a
good thing of this, Martin
'My dear Colonel" said I, "a bargain
is bargain, and where would you have
been without my money!"
The Colonel made no reply, but handed
me the money. which I liked much better.
1 took the S32O,0OO and said:
Now l can face the world, an honest
man"
The Signorina laughed.
Il am glad" she said, chiefly for poor
old Jones sake. It'll take a load off his
mind
The Colonel proceeded to divide the re-
mainder into two little heaps, one of
which he pushed ever to the Signorina,
She took it gaily, saying:
Now | shall make curl papers of half
my bonds, and 1 shall rely on the-what
do you call it?-the Provisional govern
ment to pay the rest. You remember
about the house,"
I'll see about that soon,' said the
Colonel impatiently. You two seem to
think there's nothing to do but take the
money. You forget we've got to make
our positions safe"
Exactly. The ColoneI's government
must be carried on said I.
The Signorina did not catch the allu-
sion. She yawned, and said:
''Oh, then l shall go. Rely on my 10y
atty, your exceIlency."
She made him courtesy and went to
the door. AS / opened it for her she
whispered, 'Horrid old bear! Come and
see me, Jack" and so vanished, carrying
| off her dollars.
l returned and sat down opposite the
| Colonel.
II wonder how she knew about the
washing standT' I remarked
Because Nottingham was fool enough
to tell her." said the Colonel testify.
Then we settled to business This un-
ambitious tale does not profess to be
complete history of Aureataland, and
will spare my readers the recital of our
discussion. We decided at last that mat
tiers were still so critical, owing to the
Presidents escape, that the ordinary
forms of law and constitutional govern
ment must be temporarily suspended. The
chamber was not in session, which made
| this course easier. The Colonel was to be
proclaimed President and to assume su-
preme power under martial law for some
weeks, while we looked about u.s. It was
thought better that my name should not
appear officially, but / agreed to take in
hand, under his supervision. all matters
relating TO finance.
1--WE can't pay the interest on the real
debit he said
Nc" l replied; You must issue a no.
tice, setting forth that, owing to General
Whittingham's manifestations, payments
must be temporarily suspended. Prom
Use it viii be all right later on
Very good" said he; land now shall
go and look up those officers. must
keep them in good temper, and the men.
too. l shall give 'em another ten thou
sand"
Generous hero - said I, land I shall
60 and restore this cash to my employ
ers."