Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1908-05-01

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miss it. He would engage these two
workmen in conversation. He would
worm the secret out CT them; or, fail
Ing that, he would drew it from them
with silver cords. Half q crown went
long way with laboring man, while
for five shillings you could get him to
do almost anything. However. he
would not begin by offering them a
bride, since that might arouse their
suspicion. He would rather address
them in the friendly and affable guise
of an innocently inquisitive fellow pas
senger.
So, laying down his paper, and smil-
ing upon the two workmen very bland
ly through his gold-rimmed glasses, ne
cleared his throat and said:
"Ahemi-excuse me, my good fell
ers; but l couldn't help overhearing
that very interesting subject of which
you were talking just now, and-ahem
do you know, you rather aroused my
curiosity"
He looked from one to the other,
smiling pleasantly as he spoke. They
met his smiles with stolid and perhaps
rather suspicious stares.
you will pardon memo offence,
hope" he went on, with increasing af-
fability-"but-well, upon my word,
t you know, + m curious cid fellow,
and really should be awfully inter
ested to know how that friend of yours
manages to travel from North Croydon
to Battersea Bridge every day with
out paying his fare"
81 daresay yer would, gunner" re-
piled one of the men, gruff1y.
1T must be a dodge worth know
ing" smiled Mr.. Bounceby, with insin-
uating blandness.
Eyer right, there, gunner" said the
other man. TOO well WORT knowfn'
to give away, and that's fack."
ut might even be worth buyin-
eh?" replied Mr.. Bounceby, with sly
suggestiveness, accidentally, as 1t
were, chinking some loose silver in his
breeches' pocket
'Tt might" grunted the man ad-
dressed, laconically. And 1t mightnt.
What do yer sy. mite?" he added, turn
ing to his companion.
''It orl depen's," answered the
mite" ION what reasons the gentle
man have for wishin' to know it. If,
for igzample, it's jest out Of inherent
curiosity, down't sy as I should OBJ
jock to oblige; but II by any charnst
= down't s'rose 1t is so, I merely sez
tiff by any charnst, l repeats. he
should happen to be spy, as means
to report us to the company"
"A spy? My good Teller. what can
you be thinking Off" exclaimed Mr..
Bounceby, affecting mingled amaze
ment and indignation as so preposter-
Gus an idea. "Come, do look like a
spy, now?"
well, now, gunner, to do yer JUS
tice, carn't sy as yer do. If yer
arsks me, yer looks rather a mug"
answered the workman, candidly. |
"Still, appearances is orful deceivin'.
and in this ere wicked world bloke
carn't be too careful"
Mr.. Bounceby, mindful of his OBJ
ject, swallowed his indignation and |
laughed boisterously.
81 like your frankness,'' he said,
with pretended approval. 'Tts-anem
underhand, you know, eitler
in myself or in others. And as for do
ing anything so low and mean as to
worm information, in confidence, from
a fellow passenger and then report
him to the company, give you by
word that I would considerably rather
shoot myself" added Mr.. Bounceby,
making his voice CULVER with generous
indignation at the thought
That's gospel, gunner? Matthew,
Mark. Luke and orl the rest of 'em?"
demanded the workman, gazing stead
lily at his interlocutor.
"Gospel-'pon my OATH" lied Mr..
Bounceby.
''In that kise," said the workman,
turning to his pal, 81. down't know as
there'd be any arm in our doin' bust
ness wiv the gentleman. Eli, Bill?"
81 down't know as there would" an
,wered Bill. a little CLEAN, perchance
Of cupidity, lighting up his stolid
eyes.
Mr. Bounceby was delighted.
What shall we say? Five bob?" he
lueried.
"a dollars too cheap" replied Bills
mite" shaking his head. "why, bless
yer, gunner, yer've ownly got to use
he information proper to sive the oof
EN- times over In free monfs."
'Ah! But I don't propose to do
hat" demonstrated I'M. Bounceby. ct
merely want to know, out of innocent
curiosity"
"Orl the sime," stuck in Bill, ''the
'ack remines as yer could use the
Information If yer liked. And for my
part, sy that it's dirt cheap at thin
Dick?"
yer right. Bill. It's a gift at that"
lssented Bill, with an emphatic nod.
Come. Ten shillings is a goodish bit
II money" expostulated Mr.. Bounce
~. who (as vulgarians say) always
parted" rather hard.
"Orl right, gunner We yn't keen, II
'ou yn't. In fack. down't know as
We has any right to give Jim Stockings
IVY to a pufick stranger, after orl.