Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-09-29

face undeceived her on this point In
toxication was hardly reckoned as a
crime in Widely street, but new and
glossy clothes were scarce, and they
made an irresistible appeal to the
mothers pride.
John Shil frowned and would have
left the room. but Mrs. Blurton's body
blocked up the doorway.
"'E's tired, poor boy she said ten.
derry; sc must ave worked ard to
get on so considerable. 'Enry, speak
to the lydy''
Henry Burton, who had been par
TALLY sobered by his violent contact
with the chair, grinned and blinked
his eyes.
"Pleashed to meet yer" he mum
bled. Then his eyes wandered to the
face of John Shil, who was looking at
/ him much as a man might look at a
lump of dirt which required immedi-
| ate removal
"Pleashed to meet Mr.. Shil. too .
he continued, with an evil smile.
Mos p]eashed ter meet Shil"
John Shil looked at him in surprise.
He had never seen the man before,
but he noticed that the drunken stare
had given place to look of intelli-
gence. It was clear that the man must
know him we'll enough to recognize
him under the present conditions.
Drink does not tend to sharpen a
mans memory.
"a friend of yours?" said Leonore
quietly.
Never set eyes on him before"
| Jnh a
me, Mrs Burton, but I must be going.
Good bye, Leonore''
| Mrs. Burton shifted audibly.
why don't yer speak to the lad?"
she cried angrily; "ain't e fit to
speak to yer? Amt e got good huff
clothes and fine speech for yer?
know where 'e's met yer in Port
land Gaol. Ho, no, dersay yer were
both in Portland, together friends
mebbe."
John shil smiled. I'm afraid you
are mistaken he replied; "but l am
most interested to learn that your
son has been in Portland. You have
reason to be proud of him.
He walked straight to the door,
and Mrs Burton. to avoid a coils
sion rolled aside to let him pass.
Ere, ere cried Henry Burton,
trying to rise from his seat, but fall
ing Back in heap. ERE. come back,
you. Stop i'm: stop thief
John Shi1 paused in the doorway,
and then came back with an ugly
scowl On his face. The little man
seemed to shrink into mere ball of
yellow cloth as he encountered the
look in his eyes.
Look here" said Shil angrily,
you'd better go to bed and try to get
sober I've half a mind to give you
a good hiding. and teach you how to
behave yourself in the presence of a
lady. But. as you are drunk, you prob
ably don't know what little beast
you're making OF yourself
Henry thrust out his head from the
protecting cushion, and it looked like
the head of snake peering out OF a
tuft of grass.
''Wantsh speak ter yer, Shil.
eff you have anything to say to me-
Shil replied, this lady will give you
my address And if you are not civil
to her, I'll break every bone in your
wretched little body. and if your cause
any annoyance to the lady upstairs,
I'll chuck you into the Thames. AS
for you, madam and he turned to
Mrs. Burton, who stood purple and
speechress with Indignation, you'd
better take your wkelp upstairs and
give him good threshing and put
him to bed"
With these words he strobe out Of
the room
"Stop inn" cried the little man.
stop thief Murder. Fire! Police!"
but the only answer to his cries was
the slam of the hall door.
ooh. I could do WHY a drink, l
could" he murmured.
"My precious his mother said
tenderly, as if speaking to a child,
"Tll get yer some water"
Water be hanged he eurgled.
"Give us drop of gin, ma! You
know the stuff Do you still keep it in
the coal-box":'
Mrs Burton left the room, but Leo
more still fingered. Her first impulse
had been TO escape as quickly as pos
sibIe fro mthe presence of the drunk
en- little cad in the armchair. But his
recognition OF John Shil had aroused
her interest.
"You have met Mr.. Shil before?"
she asked carelessly.
Henry did not answer, but he
winked at her.
Pretty gal" he said slyly, as If to
himself. Every pretty gall
what do you know of Mr.. Shil?"
Leonore persisted.
Again Mr.. Henry Burton winked,
and held out very dirty hand.
t'I've got i'm ere" he said, "in the
'oller of my and, as they say in
books. Oh. I knows i'm, and l knows
Mr. Tankerlane But mebbe you DON
know that kind, nice gentleman.
mo, don't" replied Leonore, wait
ing for further information
ooh, 'e's beauty. e is" said Hen
ry lad q was so kind to pore 'Enry,
e was. But e amt so kind now. And
it's Mr.. Shil as'll ave ter be kind to
me now, bless is cart. Mr.. Tanker
lane 'as forgotten pore 'Enry, as was
so good to i'm
/ Henry Burton told the truth. Will
/ liam Tankerlane had stopped the