Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1912-04-26

leo l cOulQnC DrlnS out a worn. l
wasn't sure what was coming, and as
| didn't want Billings rest disturbed,
l quietly closed the door of his room.
The old cock in the black pajamas
had uncorked a bottle and was smell
ing it's contents. He grimaced over
his shoulder.
That's Internally rotten Scotch,
say!" he exclaimed with a sort OF
snort. Regular sell, by George!"
was glad Billings didn't hear him,
for it had been present from him
only the week before.
Suppose I'll have to go the rye"
he grumbled; and, grinning at me
Familiarity, he poured himself a drink.
He tossed it off, neat. reflected that
perhaps he would go quietly now.
We'll" I said, advancing. Il ex'
pect you're anxious to get to your
quarters, so I'll say good night"
extended my hand. That ought to
fetch kim" thought, IF he's a gen.
tleman, no matter how jolly corked he
may be-"
In my grasp his hand felt like a
small boxing glove, but when !
glanced at it I saw that it was not
unusual.
The old duck pumped my arm SOL
EMMY and cast his eyes to the cell
ing.
"Fa-are-we-e-u, cd f-friend!" he
Eurmured in husky tremolo, defect
ing the corners Of his mouth and
wagging his bad pate. "If l don't
see YOU again I'll have the river
dragged"
And then, instead of going, dash me
Il lie old fool didn't flop down into
Billings favorite chair and reach for
billings cigarettes that he had left
on the tabouret.
He waved his hand at me. "Oh, you
20 to bed, Lightnut," he said, putting
away with iron nerve. "All the sleeps
out of me, dammit! I'll just sit here
and read and smoke as long as like,
then I'll go in there and turn in" A
jerk Of his dcdderiHg head indicated
Billings room.
BY Jove, hardly knew what to do!
I was regularly bowled over, don't
; you know. l was up against crisis
that's what-a crisis.
ooh, l say, you know" I started
demonstrating, and just then I gasped
with relief at the welcome sight OF
jenkins, peekirg round the door.
frame behind my visitors back. His
finger was on his lips and he beck
oned me earnestly.
At the same moment old whiskers
showed his chair UP to the table,
; switched on the reading-lamp and
! reached for a magazine.
CT On. sir" v''i-nered jenkins,
/ as joined him and We stepped aside.
Hadn't | better ring up the janitor
OH my house 'ohone?"
! by Jove, the very thing" / agreed.
For he'll know where this chap be-
longs. A flyer, tell him, II he gets
move on. Hurry"
slipped back into the room as
Jenkins disappeared. The jolly old
barnacle had discarded his cigarette
and was critically selecting cigar
from my humidor.
II don't see why the devil you don't
go TO he'd" he said, fixing himself
comfortably with two chairs and light
| ing up.
Tin not sleepy" I stammered,
| perching on the corner Of a chair.
~ believe you're lying" he growled,
scowiing at me; "but If you're not
sleepy, listen to this joke here-it's a
chestnut, but it's Internally good"
never did know what the joke
was, for l was listening for other
sounds as he read. Suddenly l heard
| whistle far down in the street; and
l thought 1t was followed by pat
! ter of running feet.
Then came the quivering rhythm OF
the elevator rapidly ascending, and
while the anecdote was still being
droned out between chuckles, slipped
out again into the hall and rejoined
| Jenkins.
"Janitor says there's no such tenant
In this building as l described" Jen-
kins impaired hurriedly. Might be a
guest, of course; but he doesn't re-
! member ever seeing him. So he whis-
tied for cop, to be on the safe side,
and caught two. Here they are, sir -
Out from the elevator sprang the
janitor, half-dressed and looking ex-
cited Close on his heels came two
| big policemen.
I stepped into the outer corridor
and explained the situation. The Of
f1cers nodded reassuringly.
Enough said," one Of them COM
mented. We'll have him out, sir"
The janitor, who had been cautious
ly sighting through the door within,
came running out.
He shifted around, while I was
looking, and got good look at him."
he said with some excitement, land l
never saw him before. I wouldn't for
get that mug!"
Suppose you take a squint at him
yourself, O'Keefe," suggested the tall
er of the coppers. You've been on
this beat so long,"
In a minute or two O'Keefe came
slipping back hurriedly. He drew his
companion aside.
Tell you what, Tim." heard him
say, do you know, I'm after thinking
1t looks like old Braxton, known in
the perfesh as Foxy Grandpa He's
q swell con man hut has lust finished