Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1908-12-24
!, In THE LAD
!. NEW YEAR
By GEORGE T. PARDY
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Copyright, by Daily Story Pub. Coz


masquerade ball tonight"
'Why?" queried his room mate, Tom
Ingram. Anything special about this
occasion?"
We'll, it's a kind of annual event,
responded Barley land being on New
Years eve they expect to have an
extra fine time. Scores of her friends
are going, too, and her married sister
and husband II be there. Even the
old man promised to go, so it's up to
me to be on time"
Going to call for herr" inquired In
gram.
No" said Barley; "her folks will
take her. You see, they live at the
other end of town, and she doesn't
think it necessary for me to hike all
that distance. Well, I must be off to
the costumer's store in the next block.
ought to have looked after my fancy
clothes earlier, but / guess he's got
lots of EN- left
''Dere ISIS many mask balls tonight"
explained the costumer, and | hat not
many suits left I will show you. Here
is Prince Chemine felfet und de gold
lace-vell look at it,"
1t was a much stained doublet of
crimson velvet, with plenty of tar
n1shed lace and a pair of ba9gy knee
breaches to match BARLEY shook his
head.
we'll, here" said the costumer;
mere is good costume a bolice-
mans. 1t vii fit you und you can have
it for haluf brice"
BARLEY was surprised to see that
the coat really did fit him and, alto
gether it certainly was the best thing
in the shop. The end of the matter
was that he hired the suit Arriving
at his room he donned it and invited
the criticism of his roommate
1T isn't bad" acknowledged In
gram. And now, if you're ready
We'll start"
Bartley's roommate was attired in
the uniform of United States naval
officer, the greater portion of which
he proceeded to hide under the folds
of a heavy overcoat. Then they
walked to the corner and stood await
ing the car which was to carry them
to their destination. Ingram eyed his
companion jealousy.
I'D give something" he unused "if
he would only get into some scrape
on the way that would keep him from
meeting May Stanhope tonight. Con-
found him, she thought | was the
whole thing until he got the inside
track of me-
AS BARLEY and his companion
boarded the car it seemed to the for
mer that the other passengers looked
curiously at him, but no one made any
remark. BARLEY began to fatter him
self that his impersonation was sue
cessful. 1t was, very nearly, but
about five blocks from the hall the
car stopped suddenly A wagon had
broken down in the track and, to add
to the difficulty, two men, one of them
the driver, were engaged in a pretty
lively fight
ooh, it's awful" screamed one
stout lady. why doesn't somebody
stop them?"
where are the police?" giggled a
young man, who was nursing an ex-
tinct cigar.
Here's one, responded an elderly
citizen, glazing at BARLEY. why
don't you stop this, officer?'
mered BARLEY, but at the same time
he rose reluctantly from his seat. He
was pulled to the door and in another
moment was in the middle of the
crowd.
The two men were now being held
by their friends, and were struggling
and vociferating abuse BARLEY at
tuned his deepest, gruffest voice.
whats the trouble here?" he de-.
manded
tanning grasp of the peacemakers and
was rushing on his pinioned antag
onist when BARLEY foolishly got in the
way. The next moment he was roll
ing in the street with the irate driver
on top of him. BY desperate effort
he broke away from the clutches OF
his foeman and staggered to his feet
The crowd had increased to goodly
proportions, and suddenly opened to
make way for the passage of yet an
other figure in the uniform of Chica-
gos gallant police force
The newcomer listened t. Bartleys
tale of sorrow and shook his head in
credulously
''Too thin" he commented You're
up to no good. me boy. Impersonating
an officers your little game
That's right, officer broke in an
officious spectator. Il see him myself
butting into the mixup."
well, you'll just trot to the corner
with me- said the policeman decisive
ly, and BARLEY, looking around in
vain attempt to spy the features Of
his roommate, walked sullenly away
with his captor. Presently the patrol
wagon arrived and, as BARLEY stepped
inside, he caught sight for an instant
of a familiar face on the outskirts of
the crowd. 1t was Ingram, and his
mouth was stretched to it's fullest ca
pacity with a satisfied, malicious
smile.
Arriving at the station BARLEY
again repeated his story to the desk
sergeant, who listened grimly to his
protestations of innocence.
ct may be as you say" said the of
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