Palisadian. [volume] (Cliffside Park, N.J.) 1906-current, 1909-10-01
PALlSAD1AN

ed and the picture, topping forward, had
struck the chair directly beneath it, the sharp
top of the gilded back piercing the canvas
and completely running the painting.
On the table by sat the Aztec jug, and
again Bailey was sure he could detect a
sardonic grin lurking about the three hide
Gus faces. Dick condoed with Bailey over
the accident, but moment later the Jug
caught his eye, and, while Bailey was
fully examining the ruined picture, the artist
exclaimed:
"By Jove, old man, that's tidy bit of
pottery you've got there. / need just such
piece as that for study I'm at work on
now Let me sketch it, will your"
Take it away with you, Dick, groaned
Bailey. "But see here, old man, l think the
things possessed of the devil. I've had just
such luck as this ever since l bought it.
Bailey related his lamentable experiences
with the jug, but Dick only laughed and
said:-"1'll run the risk.
Bailey breathed a. sigh of relief when the
jug left the house in Dicks overcoat pocket.
Two days later he received note from Dick
which read:
''DrAR JAcK:-Am laid up with broken
arm. Come and see DICK.
Bailey hurried away to Dicks rooms and
found him propped up before the fire with
one arm in splints and bandages.
Hello, Jack he said weakly. Thought
you'd come. I've had a pretty tough time of
it since l left you. Tried to put up some
hangings-battle axes and things-in the
studio, but the damned stepladder broke, and
He held up his bandaged "But that
isn't all, though" continued Dick Troubles
never come singly, you know. Lillian came
down here with her mother to yester-
day. Brought me these violets They started
home in a hanson, but the beastly horse
hadn't gone two blocks before it ran away.
Lillian became excited and jumped. Sprained
her ankle and got such shaking up that
she is really ILL., And here | am laid up with
this-where you going, Jack?
Bailey had darted into the studio, A
ond later he reappeared.
Dick" he exclaimed, "where is that jug?"
"What jug?" demanded Dick irritably.
"Mean that one l brought from your rooms?
I've got it safe enough, you needn't worry.
l haven't even unwrapped the thing. It's
there the table"
Bailey snatched small package off the
table. and unwrapped it, disclosing hand
some Seyres vase. why, this isn't the Jug"
he exclaimed. "Surely the ugly Aztec thing
can't have transformed itself!'
That's Lillians!'' cried Dick. ''Why
She brought that vase here with her yester-
day and laid it the table She must have
picked up the jug instead in going out 1t
hand the same kind of wrapper"
'Dick," said Bailey, solemnly, "that jug
is responsible for all these accidents"
ooh, don't be fool Baiey" answered
Dick, petulantly, 'but if you think so, for
Heavens sake go and get the thing from
Lillian and smash it before it does any
damage"
When Bailey left Dicks rooms he made
straight for the Bells. His only hope was
that the jug had been smashed in the run
away. Mrs Bell met him at the door, The
house was in confusion.
ooh, Mr.. Baey!" she cried nervously eve
in the middle of chapter of accidents
Dick told you of the runaway and Lilan's
sprained ankle, did he? WE'LL we had no
sooner got her home and to bed than a fire
broke out in mysterious manner in the
dining room, and"-
'sThen Miss Bell brought that package home
with herr" cried Bailey.
''The vasel" exclaimed Mrs. Bell eyes, I
held it in my lap during that awful runaway
Oh, dear!"
Bailey did not stop for lengthy explapa-
tons, but, learning from Mrs. Bell that the
package had been one of the first things
carried out of the burning dining room and
placed table in the hallway, he seized
it, and fled the house before the worthy lady
could recover from her astonishment. On
the way home he momentarily expected an
earthquake.
Seated more in his den he unwrapped
the package and disclosed the ugly little
three faced cause of many troubles
"Now, then" said Bailey determinedly,
placing the jug on the table before him and