The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1909-04-08
CHAPTER III.

recovered his mental serenity after
the painful duty of explaining her
financial position to the Widow Hud-
son when his quick ear caught the
sound OF a heavy footstep in the
counting house. A gruff voice was
audible at the same time which
demanded in rather more energetic
language than was usually employed
in that orderly establishment, wheth-
er the principal was to be seen or not.
The answer was evidently in the
affirm ative, for the numbering tread
came rapidly nearer, and a powerful
KNOCK announced that hhe visitor
was at the other side of the door.
Come in." cried Mr. Girdlestone,
laying down his pen.
This invitation was SO far complied
with that the handle turned, and the
door revolved slowly upon its hinges.
Nothing more substantial than
strong smell of spirituous liquors,
however, entered the apartment.
Come in," the merchant repeated
impatiently.
At this second mandate a great
tangled mass of black hair was slowly
protruded round the angle of the
door. Then a copper colored fore
head appeared with a couple of very
shaggy eyebrows and eventually a
pair of eyes which protruded from
their sockets and looked yellow and
,tn han
first at, the senior partner and then
at his surroundings, after which,
as if reasured by the inspection, the
remainder of hts face appeared-a
fat nose, a large mouth with lower
lip which hung down and exposed a
line OF tobacco stained teeth, and
finally a thick black beard which
bristled straight out from the chin,
and bore abundant traces of an egg
having formed part of it's owners
morning meal. The head having ap-
peared, the body soon followed it,
though all in the same anaconda like
style of progression, until the indi-
vidual stood revealed. He was q
stoutly built sesfaring man, dressed
in pea jacket and blue trousers
and holding his tarpaulin hat in his
hand. With rough scrape and a
most unpleasant leer he advanced
toward the merchant with tattooed
and hairy hand in sign of greeting.
''Why, captain" said the head of
the firm. rising and grasping the 9TH
er's hand with effusion; 81 am glad
to see you back safe and we'll"
Glad to see ye, sir-glad to see
ye.'
His voice was thick and husky, and
there was an indecision about his gait
as though he had been drinking heav-
ily 81 came in sort O. cautious"
he continued, "cause / didn't know
who might be about, When you and
me speaks together we likes to speak
alone, you bet"
The merchant raised his eyebrows a
little, as though he did not relish
the idea of mutual condolences sug-
gested by his companions remark.
Hadn't you better take a seat?" he
said.
The other took a cane bottomed
chair and carried it into the extreme
corner Of the office. Then having
looked steadily at the wall behind him
and raped 1t with his knuckles, he
sat down, still throwing an occasional
apprehensive glance over his should
er. I've got touch of the jumps"
he remarked apologetically to his en-
ployer. Il likes TO know as there
amt no one behind me-"
You should give up this shocking
habit of drinking" Mr.. Girdlestone
said seriously. 1T is a waste of the
best gifts with which Providence
has endowed VS.. You are the worst
for it both In this world and in the
next"
Captain Hamilton Miggs did not
seem to be at all impressed by this
very sensible piece OF advice. On
the contrary. he chucl1led bolster
ously TO himself. and, slapping his
thigh, expressed his opinion that his
employer was q rum 'up"-a convic-
ton which he repeated TO himself
several times with various symptoms
of admiration.
well. WELL" Girdlestone said, az
Ter q short pause. Toys viii bn boys.