The Cook County news-herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Cook County, Minn.) 1909-current, 1916-05-31

TO this day, Average Jones main,
tains that he felt distinct thrill al
first sight of the advertisement. Yet
fate might we'll have chosen a more
appropriate ambush in anyone of q
hundred Of the strange clippings which
were grist to the Advisors mill Out
of bulky pile of the days paragraphs,
however, it was this one that leaped
significant, to his eye:
WANTED-TEN THOUSAND LOATHLY
black beetles, by a leaseholder who con-
trarted to leave house in the same con-
dition as he found it, Ackroyd, 100 W.
Sixteenth St.. New York.
"Black beetles, eh?" observed Aver.
age Jones. "This Ackroyd person
seems to be merry little jester Well,
I'm feeling rather jocular, myself, this
morning. How does one collect black
beetles, wonder? When in doubt,
inquire Of the :escurceful Simpson"
He pressed button and his con-
fidential clerk entered.
Good morning, Simpson," said Av-
erage Jones. Are you acquainted
with that shy but pervasive animal,
the domestic black beetle?"
Yes, sir: l board,' Simpson simply.
II suppose there aren't ten thousand
black beetles in your boarding house,
thought inquired Average Jones.
Simpson tcok it under adyisement.
Hardly" he decided.
i've got to have EN- to fill an Or
der. At least, I've got to have an in
stallment of 'em, and tomorrow"
Ransom, down on Fulton street,
will have them, if anyone has," Simp-
son said presently.
Returning to his routine work, Av-
erage Jones found himself unable to
dislodge the advertisement from his
mind. So presently he gave way to
temptation, called up Bertram at the
Cosmic club, and asked him to come
to the Astor Court temple Offices at
his convenience. Seeming more ad-
venture, Bertram found it convenient
to come promptly. Average Jones
handed him the clipping. Bertram
read it with ascending eyebrows.
whats at One Hundred West Six
teenth street," demanded Jones.
"Ore Hundred West Sixteenth; let
me see. Why, of course; it's the old
Feltrer mansion. You must know it..
1t has walled garden at the side;
the only one left in the city, south Of
Central Park"
Anyone named Ackroyd there?"
THAT must be Hawley Ackroyd.
remember, row, hearing that he had
rented it. Judge Ackroyd, you know,
better known as oily Ackrcyd. He's
a smooth old rascal"
Ever near of his collecting in
sects?"
Never heard Of his collecting any.
thing but graft. In fact, he'd have
been in jail years ago, but for his fam
lily connections. He married Van
Haltern. You remember the famous
Van Haltern will case, surely; the
million-collar dog. The papers fairly
reeked Of it year ago. Sylvia Ora
ham had to take the dog and leave
the country to escape the notoriety.
She's back now, believe"
I've heard of Miss Graham" re-
marked Average Jones.
"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 Crea-
ton"
AN asset with assets of her own. I
believe" said Average Jones. 1.-THE
million dollars left by her grandmoth-
or. old Mrs. Van Haltern, goes to her
eventually, 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 estate at Schuylkill des-
ignated by the testator. If these terms
are not rigidly carried out, the for
tune is to be divided, most OF it 60
ing to Mrs. Hawley Ackroyd, which
would mean the Judge himself"
Him. What about Mrs. Ackroyd ?"
Poor, sickly, frightened lady! She's
very fond Of Sylvia Graham, who is
her niece. But she's completely domi,
mated by her husband"
Information is your long suit, Bert.
Now, if You only had intelligence to
correspond" Average Jones broke
off and grinned mildly, first at his
friend, then at the advertisement.
Bertram caught up the paper and
studied it. well, what does it mean %
he demanded. ...a4
1T means that Ackroyd, being about
to give up his rented house, intends
to saddle it with bad name."
1T, would be just, like Oily Ack.
royd,'' remarked Bertram.i,~ Hes a
vindictfve 'scoundrel. ;Oply.a few days
ago, he nearly killed a poor devil Of a
drug clerk, over some triafng dispute.
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