The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1906-02-04

7Fpeps
complimenting you on your discern
ment."
'YO-r two wish s." said I, "may be
recOnciled. Let me cease to be your
burglar, and let me continue here as
your butler"
He leant back, spreading out the fin
gers of each hand as if the tables edge
was a harpsichord. and he stretching
octaves upon it.
Believe me- went on, you might
do worse. I have been a denny of
MagdaIen college. Oxford in my time,
and retain some Greek and Latin. I'll
undertake to read the Fathers with an
accent that shall not offend you. Ny
knowledge of wine is none the worse
for having been cultivated In other
mems cellars Moreover, you shall en-
gage the uglist cook in Christendom,
SO long as I'm your butler. I've taken
ply for the post.
Il give forty pounds a year." said
he.
And I'm cheap at that price"
He filled up his glass, looking up at
me as he did SO with the air of one di-
costing a problem. From first to last
his face was grave as a judges.
I'VE are too impulsive, 1 think" was
his answer after a minutes silence.
And your speech smacks of the anna
teur. You say, Let me cease to be
your burglar, and let me be your but
Ter The mere aspiration is respect
able; but a man might as we'll say,
Let me cease to write poems; let me
paint pictures. And truly, sir, you
impressed me as no expert in your
present trade, but jOurneyman house
breaker, if / may say So"
ION the other hand" I argued, CON
slider the moderation of my demands;
that alone should convince you of my
desire to turn over a new leaf. l ask
for months trial; if, at the end OF
that time I don't suit. you shall say
So and I'll march from your door with
nothing in my pockets but my months
wages. Be hanged siri but when I re-
fleet on the amount you'll have to pay
to get me TO face tonight's storm again
you see0 to be setting off dirt cheap!"
cried l. Shaping my palm on the table.
All, if you had only known Adolf
phus!" he exclaimed.
Now the third glass Of clean spirits
mas always the deplorable effect on me.
It turns me from bright to black. from
Hghtness of spirits to extreme suIki-
ness. I have done more wickedness
other states of comparative inebriety
within my experience. So now 1 glow
cred at my companion and raped out
a curse
Look here. I don't want to hear any
more of AdOlphus, and I've a pretty
clear notion of the game you're play
ing. You want to make me drunk, and
you're ready to sit prattling there till
1 drop under the table,
DO me the favor to remember that
you came and are staying at your own
invitation. As for the brandy, I would
remind you that I suggested a miIder
drink. Try some Madeira"
He handed me the decanter as he
spoke and I poured out a glass
"Maderia!" said I, taking a gulp
Ugh! it's the commOnest Marsalai"
I had no sooner said the words than
he rose up, and stretched a hand
gravely across to me-
Il hope you'll shake it." he said;
though, as a man who after three
glasses Of neat spirit can distinguish
between MADEIRA and MARSHA, you
have every right to refuse me. Two
minutes ago you offered to become my
butler, and I demurred. 1 now beg
to repeat that offer. Say the word,
and / employ you gladly; you shall
even have the second decanter (Which
contains genuine Maderia) to take TO
bed with you
We shook hands on our bargain, and
up a candlestick he led the
way from the room.
Picking up my boots, I followed him
along the passage and down the silent
staircase. In the hall he paused to
stand on tiptoe and turn up the lamp, |
which was burning low. As he did so. |
fc clio
I'D enemy, the mastiff. He lay as I !
lad first seen him a stuffed dog. if ever
here was one. Decidedly" thought
!, my wits are to sleep tonight" and !
With the same a sudden suspicion made
ne turn TO my conductor, who had ad-
yaneed to the Ieft-hand door and was /
Waiting for me, with hand on the knob !
zone moment" I said; this is ali !
yery pretty, but how am 1 to know
-ou're not sending me to bed while YOU |
etch In all the countryside to lay me |
~ the heels?"
'Tm afraid" was his answer. "vou
must be content with my word as a |
Gentleman that never, tonight or here
fter, will I breathe q syllable about
he circumstances Of your visit. How
yer, if you choose, we will return up !
tairs.'
mo; I'll trust you," said I, and he
pened the door.
1t led into a broad passage, paved
Nth slate, upon which three or four
ooms opened. He paused by the sec
nd, and ushered me into a sleeping i
hamber. which, though narroy. was Il
comfortable enOugh-a vast improve Il
lent, at any rate, on the mumper's
)dgings had been used to for many L
lonths past.
You can undress here" he said. Il
The sheets are aired, and If you'U
Tait moment I'll fetch a nightshirt
-one Of my own.