Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1908-03-05

place." and even went the length of /,
marking airlly TO new acquaintances tina
he hoped they would look him up an
time they happened to be in his direc
ton. AS he carefully refraned, however
from ever giving the slightest indicatic
of which direction that might be, his in
vtationS never led to any practical re
suits. Still, they had the effect of film
the recipient with a vague sense of prot
fered hospitality, and occasionally led t
more substantial kindness in return.
The gallant ma ajor's figure was fam.l
lar one in the card room of the Rag an,
Bobtail," or at the bow window of tn
Jeunesse Doree. Tall and pompous, witt
portly frame and a puffy c.eans shaver
| face which peered over an abnormall,
high collar and old fashioned linen era
vat, he stood as very type ana emblem
Of staid middle-aged responsibility. Tn,
majors hat was always of the glossiest
the majors coat was wthou: a wrinkle
and, in short, from the summit of tn,
maj jor's bald head to his bulbous finger
tips and his gouty toes, there was not 4
flaw which the most severe critic of de-
SOuIu nave utlttleu. lStl US u IL
that the conversation of the major was
as irreproachable as his person-that hi
was distinguished soldier and an accom-.
plished traveller. with a retentlve memory
and mind stuffed with the good things
of lifetime. Combine all these quail
ties, and one would naturally regard the
major as most desirable acqua aintance
Standing at the head of the broad stone
steps which lead up to the palatial edi-
fee which its occupiers irreverently term
the Rag and Bobtail," he was explain
ing to bull-necked, olve-Complexioned
young man, the series of marriages and
inter-marriages which had eliminated IN
the production of his own portly stiff
backed figure. His companion, who was
none other than Ezra Girdlestone of the
great African firm of that name. leaned
against one of the pillars of tie portico
and listened gloomily to the majors fam
lily "reminiscences, giving an occasionol !
yawn which he made no attempt to con-
ceal.
ITS as plain as the fingers of mc
hand" the old soldier said in wheezy
muffled brogue as if he were speaking
from under a feather bed. See here
now, GirdlestOne-this is Miss Letitia
Snackles. of Snacketon. cousin Of oil
Sir Joseph" The major tapped his
thumb with the silver head of his walk
ing stick to represent the maiden
Snackles. "She marries Crawford, of tire
Blues-one O the Warwickshlre Craw-
fords; that's him"-here he elevated bis
stubby forefinger-"and here's their three
Jemima, Harold and John" Up
went three other fingers. "Jenllma Craw
ford grows up, and then Charley Clutter
buck runs away with her. This other
thumb o mine will stand for that young
divil Charley. and then my fngers--''
"Oh, hang your fingers" GirIlestone ex
claimed with emphasis. It's 7ery inter
esting major, but it would be more in
telligibe if you wrote it out"
And so | shall, me boy" the major
cried enthusiastically. by no III 4ans abast.-
ed at the sudden interruption. IN draw
it up on bit of foolscap paper. Let's
see, Fenchurch street. Ell? Address to the
offices, of course. Though for that mat
ter, 'Girdlestone, London would foind
you. l was spakin of ye to Sir Mus
grave Moore, of the Rifles the other day.
Ind he knew you at once. 'Girdestone?' 2
'ays he. The same, says I. A mer-
,hant prince" says he. The same, says
!. I'd be proud to meet him, says he.
And you shall, says |. He's the best
'lood of county Waterford"
More blood than money, | suppose"
he young man said. I'm du. in the city
The governor leaves at four. Cood-by i;
hall l see you to-night?"
Gard room, as per usual quoth the
ean-shaven warrior. He looked after
he retreating figure of his lare compar-
on with anything but a pleasant express
ion upon his face. The young man hap
,ened to glance round as he was half way
lown the street, on which the ajor smii
d after him paternally, and gave a merry
flourish with his stick.
At last he hailed a passing bus, into
,rought him to the other side Of the city,
e got out in broad, busy thoroughfare,
ined with large shops. Down somher
venue the ma jor strutted with all his
vonted pomposity, until about half way
own he reached a tail grin-looking
ouse with many notices of departments"
laring from the windows. IRE major
walked briskly up the stone steps, ard |
cushing open the great splotchy door, |
which bore upon it brass plate lndicat-
ng that the establishment vas kept by |
Mrs. Robins, he walked 'nto the hall |
nth the air of one who treads familiar |
round. Up one flight of stairc. up two |
lights of stairs, and up three flights of |
tars did he climb, until on the fourth |
,nding he pushed open a doo' and found |
'msef in a small room. winch form j
Or the nonce the little place" about
-hich he was wont at the club to make |
epreciatory allusions, so skillfully intro
uced that the listener was eft in doubt
S to whether the major was the happy
assessor of a country house and groun Il,
r whether he merely owned a large SUI.
rban villa. Even this modest sanctum
as not entirely the majors own as was
lown by the presence of a ruddy-facrd
ian with long, tawny beard, who sat
n one side of the empty fireplace. As
le other entered .che man IN he chair
ave vent to aguttural grunt, and Major
lutterbuck returned the greeting with an
f-handed nod. His next proceeding was
} take off his glossy hat, and pack it
way in a hat box. He then removed his
'at, his collar, his tie and his CATERS
18th equal solcitude and pul them in a
ace of safety. After which he donned
long purple dressing gown and a smok-
g cap, in which garb he performed the
-st steps of mazurka as i sign of the