The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1907-05-10
CHAPTER w.
Little Bobbs.

! followed him as rapidly as, posi-
BILE, hoping to overtake him and, at
least, persuade him to return to my
Office until his excitement had cooled
somewhat, but / reached the street
only in time to see him turn the cor
ner and mingle with the busting
crowd.
At the same instant a little man, not
over five feet in height, and dressed
in coarse drab, Norfolk jacket and
tightly fitting trousers, turned in hur- |
riedly from the opposite direction and
collided with me with some violence.
BEG pardon, sir" he painted, recov-
ering himself with an effort and pull
ing off his cap respectfully. BEG
pardon, sir. I'm looking for Mr.. Wares
Offices, sir. Mr.. Frederick Ware, sir.
Is this the place, sir?" and he placed
his hand on his chest and gasped
noisily in his endeavor to catch his
breath.
"Mr. Wares Office is upstairs" I re-
piled, and / am Mr.. Ware. Who are
your"
Thank We, sir" he said gratefully.
an expression of relief lighting up his
face. I'm Bobbs, sir. Little Bobbs,
they calls me. sir" Still holding his
cap in his hand he pulled his forelock
side dancing master.
very we'll, Bobbs," / said. com-
pletcly puzzled. NOW what do you
WANT"
why I want Mr.. Carney, OF course,
sir" he replied. I'm his man, you
know, sir, and he told me to meet him
here in half an hour"
$50 you are Mr.. Carney's servant,
eh?" / queried.
He nodded respectfully and touched
his forelock again.
well" l continued, "Mr. Carney
has gone and you won't be able to
overtake him, SO there is no use in
your trying. Moreover. l want to see
you myself in the office for a few
minutes"
He followed me upstairs and sat
down gingerly on the edge of a chair,
twirling his cap between his hands
and twiddling his thumbs nervously. l
watched him for a moment In silence
anu lICAy al iuCo oIiAhiA6 LhC, L uu-
locked the small cupboard in my desk,
took out a bottle and a glass and, plac.
ing them before him. said solicitously:
-'You are completely exhausted. Bobbs;
better take a little, of this"
His face was perfectly frank and
honest rs he said, politely, Thank
ye kindly, sir, but l eve touch 1t. I'll
be all right In a minute, sir"
I returned the bottle and glass to
their places, fully satisfied with the re-
suit of my little experiment and con
WINGED that the fellow had spoken the
truth snd could be relied upon in
every way.
How long have you been in Mr..
.Carney's employ?" I asked, as / turned
the key in the lock.
Three years, ONE next autumn"
NE replied promptly.
"And did you never drink anything
in your. life, Bobbs?" / continued, for
/ was working out q definite line Of
questions.
well, sir" he rejoined, rather UNI
comfortably | thought, Il can't say as
I've always been teetotal. sir, an l
used to take a drop now and then and
again. sir. But since Mr.. Carney got
this way, sir. ] gave II up entirely. It
wouldn't do for me to be drinkin' now,
you know, sir"
mo, 1t wouldn't" l said emphatical.
1y. you are quite right. Bobbs, and
you are a faithful fellow to give 1t up
as you have"
Thank we. SIR" said Bobbs.
How long has Mr.. Carney been in
this condition." I asked.
Bobbs looked at me In an unde-
,cided fashion for a moment and then
gblarted out, why. / don't know, sir,
sas | ought to be talkin' OF his affairs
so much, sir. It don't seem to me a.
it's quite right, sir"
appreciated the fellows devotion