The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1909-05-20


with his stick.
AS the old soldier stood on the
top Of the club steps, pompous, pig
con chssted, and respectable, posing
himself as though he had been placed
there for the inspection OF passers-
by as sample Of the aristocraoy
within, he made several attempts to
air his grievances to passing mem
bers touching the question Of the ex-
pectant Jorrocks and the missing
purse. Beyond, however, elicitine
many saiIiss of wit from the younger
spirits, for It was part of the majors
policy to lay himself open to be butt
his laudable perseverance was en-
tirely thrown away At last he gave
1t up in disgust, and raising his stick,
hailed a passing 'buss, into which he
sprang, taBlng a searching glance
round to see that no one was fol-
lowing him. After a drive which
brought him to the other side of the
City, he got out in a broad busy
thoroughfare. lined with large shops
A narrow turning from the main ar
terry led into a long dirgy street,
consisting of very high smoke-cOlored
houses which ran parallel to the 9TH
er, and presented as great contrast
to II as the back Of painting does
to the front Down this sombre av-
enue the major strvtted with all his
wonted pomposity, until hala way
down he reacher tall, grim-looking
house, with many notices of apart
ments" glaring from the windows.
The line of ratings which separated
this house from the street was rusty
and broken, and the whole place had
a flavor of mildew. The major walk
ed briskly up the stone steps, hol-
lowed out by the feet of generations
OF dodgers, and pushing open the great
splotchy door which bore upon brass
plate indicating that the establish
ment was kept by Mrs. Robins, he
! walked into the hall with the air
of one who treads familiar ground.
! Up one fight Of stairs, up two flights
of stairs, and UP three flights of stairs
did he climb, until on the fourth land
| ing he pushed open a door and found
himself in small room, which form
ed for the nonce the little place"
about which he was wont at the club
| to make depreciatory illusions, so
! skillfully introduced that the listener
was left in doubt as to whether the
major was the happy pocsessor of a
country house and grounds, or
suburban villa. Even this modest
sanctum was not entirely the mai
| or's own, as was shown by the pres
ence of ruddy-faced man with a
| long tawny beard, who sat On cne
| side of the empty fireplace, puhlng
at great clIna-bowled pipe, and
comforting himself with an ease
which showed that he was no casual
| visitor. AS The other entered, the
man in the chair gave vent to a gut
i teral grunt without removing his
mouthpiece of his pipe from between
his lips, and Major Clutterbuck re-
| turned the greeting with an off-hand
nod His next proceeding was to
take off his glossy hat, and pack it
away IN hat box. He thB1 removed
| his coat, his collar, tie, and HIS
CATERS with equal solicitude, and put
them in place Of safety After
which he donned long purple dress
| ing gown and smoking cap, in
which garb he performed the first
| steps of a mazurka as sign Of the
additional ease which he experience
| ed.
mot much to dance about either,
mo boy" the old soldier said, seat
ing himself in "a camp chair and
putting his feet upon another one
"Bedad, we're all on the verge. I'm
less luck takes turn there's no
saying what may become of u.s."
''We have been Bladder than this
before now many time" said the
yellow bearded man. in an accent
which proclaimed him to be Ger
man. my none, will come, or you
will vim, or some ling will arrive to
set all things right"
Let's hope So" the major said
! fervently. TITS mercy to get out
of these stiff starched clothes, but l
have to be carefl of them, for me
tailor-bad cess 20 himl-wiH grve
me no credit. aid there's little of
/ the ready knocking about Without
good clothes on ME back I'd be like
sweeper without a broom"
The German nodded his intense ap-
probation of the fact, and puffed a
great blue cloud 10 the ceiling Sigis.
mon Won Baumel was q political re-
fugee from the Fatherland who had
managed to become foreign clerk in
a small London 1rm, an occupation
which Just enabled him to keep body
and soul together. He and the major
had lodged in different rooms in an
other establishment until some com
mon leaVen of Bohemianism had
brought them together When CTR
cumstances had driven them out of
their former abode it had occurred
to the major that by sharing his
rooms with Won Baumer he would
diminish his own expenses, and at
the same time secure an agreeable
companion, for the veteran was a So
ciable soul in his Unofficial hours, and
had all the alderman dislike to soli-
tude. The arrangement commended
itself to the German, for he had a
profound admiration for the others