Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1907-03-28

tating knock. at the door was answered
promptly by tall, thin, angular-look
ing woman, with very red hair and a
very business-like aspect. She ap-
peared to possess a kindly nature,
however, despite her grim appearance,
and civilly invited Clara to inspect the
room advertised
IF / wasn't a person as as bin put
upon by 'er rusband," she calculated,
darting a scornful glance in the direc-
ton of door past which they walk
ed, Il wouldn't never demean myself
by takin' a ledger. But 'avin' man
as give me is name an precious little
else, an whose delight it as bin to
f1aunt it on the main, SO to speak, an
who now as is mind runnin' constant
on circuses an fat women (Which is
nothing else but throwin' of my fig
ger in my face), should be in bet
ter position than I now am, miss But
Peter Quist won't deceive me with is
circuses-the low Turk-an' so l tells
i'm
I1iCy udu, NY ILLS IGdCllGu IllS
room-a pleasant and airy place, and
very simply furnished Clara would
probably have decided to take it, what
Eyer terms might have been asked,
when she saw that its one small win
dow looked right on to the prison; but
as matter of fact, the rent proved to
be very small; and the woman, being
pleased with the bright face of the girl,
asked for no reference
Perhaps from the fact that she felt
most desperately lonely and friendless
in that strange place, Clara deter
mined that she would tell the land
lady frankly what her mission was
and ask her advice. Accordingly, with
many tears, she told the woman that
she had come to Chelmsford in the
hope of seeing or befriending a pris-
oner, a friend of hers, then awaiting
trial. The woman proved to be gen
timely sympathetic, and, after little
cogitation, decided to consult her
husband about the matter.
Mind you," she said, in a voice OF
caution; I'm not sayin' but wot
Quist is a bit of fool-salt water do
ave that effect on the best O. men; it
seems to soak through someow, and
make em soft. But 'es got cart, as
Quist, an now an then e knows wot
'e's about. It amt often, but we may
'appen to catch i'm at lucky time
Clara, willingly consenting to con-
suit this oracle. and inwardly praying
that he might have his full wits about
him, they adjourned downstairs in
search of him. He proved to be an ex-
ceedingly amiable-looking man, with a
heavy fringe of whiskers all round a
jolly red face.
The circumstances having been
briefly explained by his wife, the man
no other than cur old friend, Captain
Peter Quist-poured himself out, from
a stone bottle, what he termed "a
toothful," and proceeded to give the
matter weighty consideration.
you see, my lass" he said, wen
the law as once got a old on man
an clapped i'm under 'atches, as it
were, that man as got to go through
with it, right up to the end. Might l
venture for to ask wot your friend is
put in irons for?"
Indeed, he is quite innocent ex-
claimed Clara; "but he has been sent
to take his trial-oh! l beg that you
will not think the worse Of him for
that-for murder"
The captain whistled softly, and
raised his eyebrows AN wot might
be the name of this innocent gent"
he asked, after a pause.
Mr. Chatter" replied Clara, in low
voice
Peter Quist upset his toothful, and
nearly overturned Mrs. Quist also, in
his excitement; he sprang up, and
backed into a corner of the room For
some moments he stood there, making
curious motions with his hands, as
though warding off an attack, and
looking at Clara uneasily.
Say it agin," he said at last, in a
hoarse whisper. "Wot was the manner"
Clara repeated it; and the captain
gradually came out of his corner, and
approached her slowly. Look ere,
my lass" he said; I've 'ad a shock
over that there name, an I'm a bit
upset with it. A friend O. mine sailed
under that name, an it proved too
much for i'm, or something did. Least
wise, els dead. So I don't want moth
ing more to do with no Chaters; I'd
sooner 'elp a Smith or Jones than
Chatter"
Gradually, however, the captains
uneasiness wore away; he began to
take a lively interest in the girl and
in her story; and went out that very
afternoon to ascertain if it were pos
sible for her to visit the prisoner, and
at what hours
He returned with the gratifying in
telligence that she might go to the
prison on the next morning; and poor
Clara slept happily enough that night
with that blessed prospect before her.
The captain, too, was in better spirits
than he had been for some time past
O 1ntfnr hovinor J,fv