The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1911-10-31

has lone a considerable amount of
writing lately, l can deduce nothing
else"
Mr.. Jabez Wilson started UP in his
chair, with his forefinger upon the
paper, but his eyes upon my COM
panion.
How, in the name OF good-for-
tune. did you know all that, Mr..
HOll1eS?' he asked How did you
know. for example. that did man
ual labor. It's as true as gospel, for
| began as a ships carpenter
Your hands, my dear sir. Your
right hand is quite a size larger than
your left. You have worled with it.
and h muscles are more de-
veloped."
well, the snuff, then, and the
Freemasonry?'
II won't insult your intelligence by
telling you how l read that. espe-
cially as, rather against the strict
rules of your order. you use an arc
and-compass breastpin.'
"Ah. of course, | forgot that. But
the writing?"
"What else can be indicated by
that right cuff SO very shiny for five
inches. and the left one with the
smooth patch near the elbow where
you rest it upon the desk
well, but China"
1.-The fish tina you have tattooed
Immediately above your right wrist
could only have been done IN China.
[ have made a small study of tattoo
marks, and have even contributed
to the literature Of the subject. That
trick Of staining the fishes scales OF
a delicate pink is quite peculiar to
China. When, in addition, l see Il
Chinese coin hanging from your
watch-chain, the matter becomes
Mr.. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily.
well, l never!" said he. Il thought
~
clever, but 1 see that there was
nothing in it, after all"
Il begin to think, WATSON said
Holmes, ''tnat I make a mistake i'll
explaining. .Omne ignotum pro
magnifco.' you know, and my poor
suffer shipwreck if | am SO candid.
Can o not find the advertisement,
Mr.. Wilson,"
yes, | have got it now" he an
swered, with his thick, red finger
planted halfway down the column.
sHere it is. This is what began it
all. You just read it for yourself,
sir
I took the paper from him, and
read as follows:
"To the Red-headed League: On
account Of the bequest Of the late
Ezekiah Hopkins, Of Lebanon, Pa,
u. S. A., there is now another
dido\ opS1
Der Of the League to a salary OF t.
a week for purely nominal services.
All red-headed men who are SOUND
in body and mind, and above tire
of tWenty-One years, are eligible.
AppIy in person on Monday, at eleven
O'Clock. to Duncan Ross, at the OF
fees of the league, p Court
Fleet Street
What on earth does this mean?"
calculated, after / had twice read
over the extraordinary
ment.
Holmes chuckled. and ~wriggled in
high spirits. "1t is a little off the
beaten track. isn't it?' said he.
And now, Mr.. Wilson, off you go
at scratch, and tell us all about your
self. your household, and the effect
which this advertisement had upon
your fortunes. You will first make
a note, doctor, Of the paper and the
date"
"It is The Morning Chronicle. Of
April q, 1890. just two months
.Very good. Now, Mr.. Wilson,
well, it is just AZ l have been tell,
ing you, Mr.. Sherlock Holmes, salo
.Jabez Wilson,, hopping his forehead;
Il have a small p~awnbrokers Dusi-
ness at Coburg Square, near the CITY:
It's not a very la-re affair, and OF
late years it has not done more than
lust give me a living. [ used to be
able to keep two assistants, but now
[ only keep one; and / would have
4 lob to pay him. but that he is
willing to come for half wages SO as
to learn the business
What is the name of this obliging
youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes.
His name is Vincent Spaulding,
and he's not such a youth either. It's
hard to say his age. l should not
wish q smarter assistant, Mr..
Holmes; and 1 know Very we'll that
he could better himself, and earn
twice what I am able to give him.
But, after all, if he is satisfied. why
should [ put ideas in his head?"
why i~ndeed?" You seem most
fortunate in having an enploye who
comes under the full market price.