The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-03-01
HIS LoRDsHIP.
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He had a fine figure and money. The
money was mostly left him by an aunt
who was near-sighted, and his figure
was mostly made by tailor VINO
charged him three prices There were
some few people who said that Henri
mad sense in his head; there We're
great many others who said that ne
was a conceited ass His own private
opinion of himself at twenty-five years
of age was that he was a devil or a
fellow and too good for America. Soon
after coming to this conclusion he
turned up in London, doncher know
He had been there before He pre-
ferred London TO Paris because he had
several times been mistaken for an
English swell He contemplated a lit
tie journey around the world, and ne
went to London to outfit.
Mr.. Fletcher had been in the Eng
fish metropolis a week or so, and nao
had his whiskers properly trimmed
and stared a score of American tour
lists out of countenance, when, as he
was sauntering across ST. James Park
one day, head up. glass in his eye. and
his cane held at the proper angie,
some one ran against him and cried
out:
.Dear. dear me. but what a fortu-
nate meeting, Why. my dear fellow.
was just on my way to your club to
hunt you up"
Mr.. Fletcher. He was gotten up after
the same pattern He had probably
been called a conceited ass just as
often. The first thought was to give
him a cold stare and pass on. The
second was to tell him that he had
made a mistake. The third was to
listen to him as he said:
Now, my lord. old boy, those curios
have arrived from Egypt and my man
is unpacking them 1 want you to see
the collection and give me your opin-
ion. Rather have it than any other
mans in England, We knaW-
Mr.. Fletcher saw that the stranger
had made a mistake, but he blushed
with pleasure. He had not only been
mistaken for an Englishman. but for a
lord. Instead of explaining the situa-
ton he let the other go on with:
You are looking finer than silk, my
lord. and are attracting attention
everywhere. 1 must get you to show
me how to puff a scarf like that. Some
thing new and will be all the rage
The respected old governor is well. 1
hope?"
"Quite well, thanky." replied Mr..
Fletcher, as he tried to puzzle things
out.
land you'll give me an hour OF your
time and an opinion on my collection
II you don't fancy it, I'll sell the
whole business at auction Only a
STEP We know, but here's cab
81 think I should explain to you
began Mr.. Fletcher, as the other
seized his arm; but before he could go
and the stranger was saying;
your opinion. my lord, will settle
the matter one way or the other. Tom
my was telling me the other day that
spring, hobnobbing with royalty. you
had quite an adventure with the
daughter of a baroness You must
tell me all about it some day Any
truth in the news that you have been
making eyes at Lady Blanks eldest
daughter?
The ride lasted only ten minutes.
and during that time the stranger did
all the talking and flew from one SUP
ject TO another so rapidly that Mr.
Fletcher had no show to explain
things. The cab ratified up to fine
mansion which might have peen the
town house of duke. and arm IN arm
the two assembled the steps. An OBJ
sequious servant admitted them. they
nassed upstairs, and two minutes later
Mr.. Fletcher found himself menaced
bv a pistol in the hands OF a second
man; while the nrst was S RiIin He's
far from his home and mamma, you
know"
sat. His ankles were tied to the chair
co that he couldn't get up again in a
hurry. A gag was laid on the table at
his elbow. A bottle of wine and
glass we're also placed there Then
the man with the pistol. VINO seeIneo
shoot ANYBODY, withdrew and the otner
sat down and observed;
INV lord, you may call me Jones
Pm damned if I do. shouted MI
171etcher- who was beginning to wake
.sThen call me Brown. It's all the
same YOU know. Now. my lord
81 am not g. lord!
soThere now, Mr.. Fletcher, want 10
have a few minutes conversatto
with YOU Owing to certain STOCK IN
vestments that were i'll advised l am
at this moment in want OF what we
be compelled to asked you for the loan
of at least $1,000. If you cut up nasty
the figure will be doubled
.eThen you brought me here IN
broad daylight to rob mel
"As you see. No game could De
safer Partly furnished mouse 70 rem !! !,
and after laying my plans look II
and pafd one-quarter in ADVANCE l
safd LAYING my plans 1t did not re-
ouire any great astuteness- kIeM
YOUR weak point, you see. haVe
hoard if discussed in New York many
a time
MONTH"; asked Mr.. Fletcher.
wanting to be taken for an 1T.
When called you my lord back there
in the park you just gioWeo from neau
around far week. and the pains you
have taken to make an Englishman
an5 a snob out of yourself have been
highly amusing. You have convinced
several hotel walters that you are a
bern ass
you contemplate scoundrel. but
TIL make this outrage cost you your
liberty for the next twenty years. ex-
claimed Mr. Fletcher as he tried to
rise up and fell back A man may be
an ass and yet not coward.
gently. my lord replied Jones'
Brown. You may have the sense to
see that you are helpless II you
sho,,ld make a nuisance of yourself my
man might take it personally. As ]
was saying