The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1913-01-17

hurry, the clamor. Over here they
cine, there they eat There's as much
difference between those two perform
ances as there is between The Mikado
and Floredora. From Portland IN
Maine to Portland in Oregon, the same
dress, same shops, same ungodly high
buildings. Here it is different, at the
end of every hundred miles"
George agreed conditionally. CThe
Major wasn't very original in his
views.) He would have shed his last
drop Of blood for his native land, but
he was honest in acknowledging her
faults.
Conversation idled in various chan
nels, and finally became anchored at
jewels. Here the Major was at home,
and he loved emeralds above all 9TH
er stones. He proved to be an engag-
Ing old fellow, had circled the globe
| three or four times, and had had an
adventure or two worth recounting.
And when he incidentally mentioned
his niece, George wanted to shake his
| hand.
Would Mr.. Jones join him with a
peg to sleep on? Mr.. Jones certainly
would. And after a mutual health,
George automatically excused himself,
retired, buoyant and happy. How sim
pie the affair had been! A fellow
could do anything if only he set his
mind to it. Tomorrow he would meet
Fortune Chedsoye, and may Beelzebub
shrive him if he could not manage to
control his recalcitrant tongue.
AS he passed out of sight, Major
Callahan smiled. 1t was that old fa-
miliar smile which, charged with gen.
tie mockery, We SENT after departing
fools 1t was plain that he needed
another peg to keep company with the
first, for he rose and gracefully wend-
ed his way downstairs to the bar. Two
men We're already leaning against the
friendly, inviting mahogany. There
was a magnum ot champagne stand.
Ing between their glasses. The Major
ordered temperate whisky and soda,
drank 1t. frowneG at the magnum, paid
the reckoning. AID went back upstairs
again.
Don't remember old friends, eh?"
said the shorter Of the two men.
caressing his incarnadined proboscis.
"A smile wouldn't have hurt him any,
do you Think"
Shut up" admonished Ryanne.
You know the orders: no recognition
on the public floors"
why. | meant no HARM" the other
protested. He took a swallow of wine.
But, dash it! here l am, more'n four
thousand miles from old Broadway,
and still walking blind. When is the
| show to start?"
mot so loud, old boy. You've got to
have patience. You've had some good
| pickings for the past three months,
IN the smoke-rooms. That ought to
soothe you"
We'll, 1t doesn't. Here come from
New York, three months ago, with a
! wad Of money for you and a great
game in sight. It takes week to find
yod, and when / do Well. YOU
know. No sooner are you awake. than
What? Off you 60 to Bagdad, on the
widest goose-chase man ever heard
o. And that leaves me with nothing
to do and nobody to talk to. could
have cried yesterday when l got your
Letter saying you'd be in today"
"Well, l got it."
"The rug"
Yes. 1t was wild; but after what
ia been through. needed something
wild to steady my nerves; some biz
danger, where I'd simply have to get
together"
And you got it," There was frank
wonder and admiration in the pursy
gentleman's eyes. "All alone, and you
got it? Honest?"
Honest. They nearly had my hide,
though"
Where is it,"
Sold"
who"
"Percival."
Horace, you're a wonder, II there
ever was one. Sold it to Percival!
You couldn't beat that in thousand
years. You're great man."
Praise from Sir Hubert"
who's he?"
An authority on several matters"
How much did he give you for II?
Tut, tut! 1t was all my own little
jaunt, Wallace. l should hate to lie
to you about It,"
What about the stake gave you %
Ryanne made sign of dealing
cards.
Threw it away on a lot Of dubs
after all I've taught you!"
Cards aren't my forte"
There's a yellow streak in your
hide. somewhere, Horace"
There is, but It is the tigers stripe
my friend. What l did with my money
Is my own business"
"Will she allow for that?"
Would 1t matter one way or the
other?"