The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1914-03-28
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1
That's all right" returned thu
Watermelon. Here's a ten-spot FOL
each Of you. and mind you do what
say"
For you" said Mike. I'D give me
hearts blood"
Where do we find this pond?'
asked James.
Come with me and III take you to
the road that leads by 1t. You give
me time to get to the hotel. though
before you give him his clothes"
Trust me-" said Mike, lovingly con
cealing the greenback in the dark dirty
recesses Of his rags
They parted in the road where the
| Watermelon had come upon the big
red touring car. Mike and James
watched him until he disappeared over
the top of the hill. then climbed the
wall and made their way through the
woods to the little mountain lake.
I'VE won't get the Clothes" said
James. until we have had talk with
the guy and tried to get him into a
reasonable frame of mind. It's list
likely that he may be somewhat put
out"
There was no one in sight as they
made their way cautiously to the edge
Of the lake. The trees grew nearly
down to the narrow. pebbly beach and
were reflected In the quiet depths OF
the water. The little brook, tumbling
over its miniature waterfall. with a
ripple and splash, was the only sound
that broke the all-pervading silence.
Nothing stirred in the underbrush,
neither man nor beast, and James and
Mike were about to slip away as quiet
ly as they came when stick snapped
behind them sharply and Mike
wheeled.
A man was peering at them eagerly
over the tops Of a few bushes. His
face was white and his teeth chatter
Ing. His arms, dimly discerned
through the branches, were wrapped
around his shivering form with fervor
and he was standing gingerly on first
one foot and then the other.
Hello" said Mike facetiously. Go
ing In ?" and he nodded casually back
ward to the lake.
Been in" chartered the miserable
wretch, trying to control his teeth so
that he could say more.
| "Oughtn't to stay In too long," ad-
vised James solicitously your lips
look blue"
bad for the heart said Mike.
I'VE amt ladies'" added James with
delicacy You might come out from
them bushes"
"Some-some one stole my-my-
my Clothes stammered the young
man. stepping carefully forth. Been
here-here since this-this morning"
He looked sharply at the shabby pair
before him, with quick distrust in his
bloodshot eyes and added coldly:
"Some-some tramp"
Did you see him." asked James.
"No-no-no. But who else could
have stolen them?"
e." said Mike, drawing himself up
to his five feet FIVE and throwing back
his pudgy shoulders, II am a tramp.
trust, sir. you meant no insult to me
profession?" g
The stranger waved the question
aside. Get me some clothes and III
give you some money"
What money!" asked James.
II will send you some. am rich
My car is In the road. Maybe you saw
1t. was coming through the woods
to the hotel to get tow up. for was
out of gasoline. when l saw the lake
1t was early and thought / would
take swim. Maybe you saw my car
by the side of the road?"
IL didn't see no car" said Mike.
did you come by the road?"
yes, a narrow wood road"
yes, yes; that's where left 1t. The
damned thief has probably gone OF
with my car, too"
Then he couldn't be tramp" said
James judiciously. "Tramps don't
know nothing about motor-cars."
Il saw a big red car" said Mike.
down the road a bit, over the other
side of the village. going south. But
maybe your car wasn't red"
Yes. yes. It was.' cried the stranger
"hos "oo ehC manu- SOuiu yOu
tell?"
"A Thomas carr"
"Ah, my car. Get me something TO
put on and I'll make 1t worth your
while. I'm William Hargrave Batch
elor. Maybe you have read about me
In yesterdays papers?" And the poor.
shivering, naked wretch drew himself
up proudly and smiled with much com
placency.
81" said Mike. tapping himself on
his breast. "am George w., OF Eng
land"
mo. no." protested the stranger.
I'm not fooling. Get me some clothes
and come with me to the nearest tel,.-
graph Office and I'll show you"
How much" asked Mike. will you
give meT'
U.S." corrected James.
How much do you wantf"
How much will you giver
Ten dollars"
For a suit of clothes?" Mikes fat
red face depicted his horror.