Washington State journal and Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1906-1907, 1907-05-08
the matter more regular"

the matter more regular"
IF the presence of the President" sale
that official, cant make matter regular
don't know what can. Let him sleep on
Isn't his signature on the bonds enough 2
What could do? l made one NOR,
weak objection:
what shall we tell Jones?"
What shall we tell Jones?" he echoed
Really, Mr.. Martin, you must use youl
discretion as to what you tell your EN-
ployes. You can hardly expect me to tel
Jones anything, beyond that it's fine
morning."
We had now reached the bank, which
stood in Liberty street, a turning out Of
the Piazza. I took out my key, unlocked
the door, and we entered together. W.
passed into my inner sanctum, where the
safe stood.
whats 1t in?" asked the President.
United States bonds, and bills or
New York and London" l replied.
Good" said he. LET me look"
unlocked the safe and took out the
securities. He examined them carefully
placing each after due scrutiny in a small
handbag, in which he had brought down
the bonds was to receive. stood BY
holding a shaded candle. At this mo-
ment a voice cried from the door:
IF you move you're dead men!"
started and looked up. The Presi.
dent looked up without starting. There
was dear old Jones, descending from his
upper chamber, where he and Mrs. Jone,
resided. He was clad only In his night
shirt, and was leveling formidable gun
full at the august head of his excellency
"Ah, Mr.. JONES'" said the latter, "it'a
a fine morning."
1.-THE President" cried Jones; "and
Mr.. Martin! Why, what on earth, gen.
tlemen-w
The President gently waved one hand
toward me, as If to say, "Mr. Martin will
explain" and went on placing his securi-
ties in the bag. In the face of this crisis
my hesitation left me.
"Mr. Martin received a cable from Eu-
rope, JONES'" said the President Gin
structing him to advance a sum Of money
to me-"
"Cable?" said Jones. "where is 1T"
1--WE must have left 1t at the Golden
House. I saw 1t was on tho table just
before we started. Though I presume
Mr.. Jones has no right-T
"None at ALL" I said briskly.
"Yet, as q matter Of concession, Mr..
Martin will no doubt show it to him to-
morrow"
Strictly as matter of concession per-
haps l will, though l am bound to say
hot me- NJ
Jones'"
Jones looked sadly puzzled.
ITS all irregular, sir" said he.
Hardly more so than your costume y
said the President, pleasantly.
Jones being thus made aware Of the
havoc the draught was playing with his
airy covering, hastily closed the door,
and said to me appealingly:
'It's all right, sir, l supposed"
Perfectly right" said I.
"But highly confidential" added the
President. And you will put me under
personal obligation, Mr.. Jones, and at
the same time fulfill your duty to your
employers, If you preserve silence till the
transaction is officially announced. A
man who serves me does not regret It,"
Here he was making the most of an
other opportunity-Jones this time.
Enough Of this" l said. II will 90
over the matter in the morning."
His excellency walked up to Jones and
looked hard at him.
"silent men prosper best, and live long.
est, Mr.. Jones'"
Jones looked into his steely eyes, and
suddenly fell all Of a tremble.
The President was satisfied. He abb
ruptly pushed him out of the room, and
we heard his stumbling steps going up
the staircase. His excellency turned to
me, and said with apparent annoyance:
"You leave a great deal to me, Mr..
Martin"
He had certainly done more than tell
Jones 1t was fine morning. But I was
too much troubled to thank him; l was
thinking of the cable. The President di.
vined my thoughts, and said:
II must prepare that cable"
EYES," I replied; shat would reas.
sure him. But haven't had much prac.
tice In that sort of thing, and I don't
quite know"
The President scrubbed few words or
q bit of paper, and said:
'1Take that to the postofice, and they'll
give you the proper form; l will All l,
up"
Certainly some things 60 easily II the
head of the State Is your fellow criminal
"And now, Mr.. Martin, 1t grows late
have my securities; you have your
bonds. We have won over Jones. All
goes well. Aureataland IL saved. You
have made your fortune, for there II,
your $65,000. And, In fine, l am much
obliged to you will not trouble yor
to attend me on my return. Goodnight
Mr.. Martin"
He went out, and threw myself dowr
in my Office chair, and sat gazing at tn,
bonds he had left me. wondered wheth
er he had merely made a tool of me
whether could trust him whether I hat
done we'll to rely on his promises. Ant
yet there lay my reward; and l soor
arose, put the government bonds and tn,
$4,000 in securities in the safe, locked
up everything, and went home to my lodg
ings. As l went in it was broad day
light, for the clock had gone five, and
met Father Jacques sallying forth. HI
had already breakfasted, and was on hi,
way to administer early consolation t.
the flower women in the Piazza. H,
Il