Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1906-03-30

S"fVNC o0tkGL kto UCtS6tO0s
sion. And yet, curious to behold, Mr..
Carewe's fingers shook even more vio-
lently than before as he released the
boys shoulder and gave him friendly
tap on the head, at the same time smll-
ing benevolently.
There, there" he said, bestowing a
wink upon the youngster. Its all
right. 1t doesn't matter; only 1 think
see the chance of Jest in this. You
wait while 1 read this little note, this
message that you found" He ended
by winking. again with the friendliest
drollery.
He turned his back to the boy and
opened the note, continuing to stand in
that position while he read the two
messages. 1t struck the messenger that
after this there need be no great
shame in his own lack Of this much
Wanted art of reading, since it took
so famous Il man as Mr.. Carewe such
length of time to peruse a little note.
But perhaps the great gentleman was
III, for it appeared to the boy that he
lurched several times, once so far that
he would howe gone over if he had not
saved himself by lucky stagger. And
once, except for the fact that the face
that had turned away had worn an OK
preston Of such genial humor, the boy
would have believed that from it is
sued sound like the crashing of
teeth.
But when it was turned to him again
1t bore the same amiable jocosity Of
mouth and eye, and nothing seemed
to be the matter, except that those fin
gers still shook so wildly-too wildly,
tndeed-to restore, the note to its en-
velope.
There" said Mr.. Carewe, "put 1t
back, laddie; put 1t back yourself.
Take 1t to the gentleman who sent
you. see he's even disguised his hand
trihe-ha, ha!-and suppose he may
not have expected the young lady to
write his name quite so boldly on the
envelope! What do you suppose?"
II d'know," returned the boy. II
reckon don't hardly understand"
NO, OF course not" said Mr.. Ca
rewe, laughing rather madly. "Ha,
ha, ha! OF course you wouldn't. And
how much did he give your"
"Yay" cried the other joyously.
Didn't he go and hand me dollarl"
"How much will you take not to tell
him that stopped you and read 1T
How much not to speak Of noe at all?"
"What?"
"It's foolish kind Of Joke, nothing
more. I'll give you S. never to tell
any one that you saw me today"
"Don't shoot. colonelr' exclaimed the
youth, with riotous fling of bare feet
In the air. I'm come DOWN.
"You'll do it?"
give" he shouted, dancing upon the
boards. Five! I'll cross my heart to
die never hear tell Of you or ever
Worldw
Carewe bent over him. mo! Say,
God strike me dead and condemn me
eternally to the everlasting flames OF
hell if ever tellr"
This entailed quick sobriety, though
only benevolence was in the face above
him. The Jig step stopped. and the
boy pondered. frightened.
Have got to ssay that?"
Mr.. Carewe produced a bank bill
about which the boy beheld a halo
Clearly this was; his day. Heaven
showed its approx al Of his conduct by
an outpouring Of imperishable riches
And yet the oath m,isliked him. There
was SAVIOR Of the demoniacal con.
tract. Still that was to be borne and
the plunge talren, Aor there futtered
the huge sum before his dazzled eyes
he took deep breath. "'God strike
me Dead" he began slowly, "if
ever'"-
mo. And condemn. me to the ever
lasting flames of help's.A
"Have 1 got toe"
"Yes."
"'And condemn me9 toto the ever
lasting flames of--of hell III I evel
tellr"
He ran off, pale.with the fear that he
might grow up, tteke to, drink and some
day tell in his cups, but SO resolved
not to coquet with temptation that hi
Went round u block TO avoid the dool
of the Rouen House bar Nevertheless
the note was in his hand and the for
tune In his pocket.
And Mr.s Carews wal safe, He knew