The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1912-05-31
Adventures Of Average Jones
by SAM'L HOP KINS ADAMS.
Copyright, 1911, by Bobbs, Merrill co.,

Never heard of his collecting
anything but graft. In fact, he'd
have been in jail years ago, but
for his family connections. He
married Van Haltern. You
remember the famous Van Halt
ern will case, surely; the million
dollar dog. The papers fairly
reeked of II year ago. Sylvia
Graham had to take the dog and
leave the country to escape the
notoriety. She's back now, I be-
| lieve."
1--WE heard of Miss Graham"
remarked Average Jones through
friends of mine whom she visits. !"
well, If you've only heard of
her and not seen her, returned
Bertram, with something as
nearly resembling enthusiasm as
his habitual languor permitted,
you've got something to look
forward to. Sylvia Graham is a
distinct asset to the scheme of
creation"
IAN asset with assets of her
own, l believe" said Average
Jones. 1.-THE million dollars left
by her grandmother, old Mrs.
Van Haltern, goes to her event
ually, doesn't it,"
Provided she carries out the
terms of the will, keeps the dog
in proper luxury and buries him
in the grave on the family es-
tate at Schuylkill designated by
the testator. If these terms are
not rigidly carried out, the for
tune is to be divided, most of it
going to Mrs. Hawley Ackroyd,
which would mean the judge
himself. l should say that the
dog was as good as sausage meat
if oily ever gets hold of him. "
Him. What about Mrs. Ack-
royd?"
Poor, sickly, frightened lady!
She's very fond of Sylvia Graz
ham, who is her niece. But she's
completely dominated by her hus-
band"
Information is your long suit,
Bert. Now, If you only had intel
ligence to correspond" Aver
age Jones broke off and grinned
/ mildly, first at his friend, then
at the advertisement.
Bertram caught up the paper
and studied 1t. Well, what
DOES 1t mean?" he demanded.
at means that Ackroyd, being
about to give up his rented house,
intends to saddle it with a bad
name. Probably he's had row
with the agent or owner, and is
getting even by making the place
| difficult to rent again. Nobody
wants to take a house with the
reputation cS an chronological
| resort"
1T would be just like Oily
| Ackroyd, remarked Bertram.
Hes a vindictive scoundrel.
Only few days ago, he nearly
killed a poor devil of drug
clerk, over some trifling dispute.
He managed to keep it out of the
newspaper but he had to pay q
stiff fine
"That might be worth looking
up, toe," ruminated Average
JOuCo thou5utIuIy.
He turned to his telephone in
answer to a ring. "All right,
come in, Simpson" he said.
| The confidential clerk appear
ed. "Ramson says that regular
black beetles are out of season,
SIR" he reported. But he can
send to the country and dig up
plenty of red-and-black ones"
THAT will do" returned the
Advisor. Tell him to have two
or three hundred here tomorrow
morning"
Bertram bent severe gaze on
his friend. Meaning that you're
going to follow up this freak af-
fair?" he inquired.
Just that. / can't explain
why, but-well, Bert, it's a
hnnch. At the worst, Ackroyd's
face when he sees the beetles
should be worth the money"
when you frivol, Average, I
wash my hands of you. But
warn you, look out for Ackroyd.
He's as big as he is ugly; a tough
customer"
"All right. I'll Just put on
| some old clothes, to dress the
part of beetle-purveyor cor
rectly. and also in case / get EN-
torn in my meeting with Judge
oily I'll see you later and re-
port, IL l survive his wrath"
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