New-York tribune., 1909-03-28

ses besides. don't know where they keep IL. No:
I've got better plan than that. Come round to
the Crooked Billet. so talk it over in
peace and quiet
He stood Jack three or four arf-pints afore e
told i'm his plan. ard Jack so pleased with It
that he wanted to start at once but Charlie per-
suaded i'm TO wait.
And don't spare me, mind out o friend
ship ses Charlie, because the backer you paint
me the better shall like it.
You trust me- mate ses Jack Bates IF don't
get that seventy-two pounds for you. you may call
me a Dutchman- Why. it's fair robbery. call it.
sticking your money like that
They spent the the day together and
when evening came Charlie went off to the Cooks
Emma 'ad arr expected they was going, to a the
ayter that night but Charlie said he feeling
Che thing ana he sat there so quiet and miserable
they didn't know wot 10 make Of I'm.
Ave you got any trouble on your mind,
Charlie ses Mrs. Cook. or is It the toothache?'
1T ain't the toothache. ses Charlie.
He sat there pulling long face and staring at
the floor, but all Mrs Cook and Emma could do C
wouldn't tell them wot the matter with I'm.
lie said e didn't want TO worry other people with
is troubles let everybody bear their own that
IS motto. Even when George Smith offered
to go to the theayter with Emma instead of I'm he
didn't fire up. and. Of 1t adn't hA' been for Mrs.
Cook. George wouldn't ha' been sorry that e spoke
'Thcayters amt for me- ses Charlie with
groan. I'm more likely to go to gaol. so far
can see, than a thcayter.'
a Mrs. Cook and Emma both screamed and Sarah
Ann did 'er first hlghstericks. and very well too.
considering that sac ad only Just turned fifteen.
"'Gaol" old Cook. soon as they 'ad
quieted Sarah Ann with bowl o cold water that
young BIZ ad the presence o mind TO so and
fetch. 'Gao What for
You wouldn't believe II I was 20 tell YOU ses
Charlie, getting up go. and Apsides, don't want
any OF you to think 'ow am than wot
I am
He shook his cad at fllem sorrowful like. and
afore they could stop i'm he 'ad gone. Old Cook
shouted arter i'm. but II was use. and the others
running into the sculiery to fill the bowl agin
for Emma.
Mrs. Cook round to rs lodgings morn
ing. but found that e They began to
fancy all SORTS o things then, but Charlie turned
up aaln that evening miserable than
~ went round to you this morning, ses
Mrs. Cook but you wasn't at 'ome.'
81 never am, ardy,' scs Charlie, can't be-
1t amt safe
why not? ses Mrs. Cook. idgeting.
"If I tell you. you'd lose your good
opinion Of me- Charlie.
1T wouldn't be much to lose. ses Mrs. Cook.
firing up
Charlie didn't answer 'er. When he did speak
he spoke to the old man. and he was down
'artcd that e gave i'm the chls a'most He 'ardiy
took any notice of Emma, and. when Mrs. Cook
spoke about the shop agin, said that chambers
shops for happy people, not for I'M.
by the time tley sat down to supper they
nearly all as miserable Charlie imself. From
words he let drop they ali esmed to ave the idea
that the police i'm. and Mrs. Cook was
just asking i'm for she called the third and
last time. but wot likely the hundred and
third. wot he'd done vixen there was a knock at
the front door, loud and sudden that old
Cook and young Bill both cut their mouths at the
same time.