Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-10
THE CURIOUS QUEST
Of MR.. ERNEST BLISS
-cHAprR yI-lContinued.l
br E. PHILLIPS OPPENHEIM
Copyright, The Frank A. Munsey Co

The roar of the city was IN MS ears
There was a dull. red glow in the
smoke-stained sky where the sun had
gone down. Already the lights were
throwing their strange, artificial halo
over the western part of the city In
the streets below the people moved
by in a ceaseless stream on their way
h from work. white.faced, with shoul-
ders a little bent. each with an air or
having some destination to reach IN
the shortest possible manner.
He looked down at them and away
again westward toward his own land
Already he was beginning to wonder.
For three weeks Bliss held his post,
to his own content and to the appar-
eut satisfaction of his employer He
made friends with the birds, and on
rare occasions Tommy, the itinerant
bullfinch would consent to come and
sit on the arm Of his chair and share
his luncheon.
All the time his curiosity concern
ing Mr.. Cockerill's avocation, aWak'
ened on the first day, became greater
and greater. He summoned up MS
courage at last and asked him ques-
ton.
IF it's not taking a liberty, sir.
might I ask what your profession ISL
There was a moments silence. MT
Cockerill who seemed in no way
offended was, nevertheless, regarding
his employee with new expression
ON his face.
Curious, Ell. Bliss
"f.m afraid am, sir. Bad habit
know
bad habit" the parrot screamed,
looking round from the bottom OF the
waste-paper basket. where it was en-
Kaged in destroying and scattering
some envelopes.
Curiosity is one Of my failings,'
Mr.. tCockerill said benignly. from
which you, Bliss, or any one VINO
serves me must be free. Nevertheless,
since you asked me this question like
man, and have abstained from all
prying about and endeavors to satisfy
your thirst for information by Illicit
means. will pander. to some extent,
to your weakness. Look here
He touched with his forefnger
pile Of typewriter sheets.
II am writing a book connected
with various phases of ornithology."
Mr.. Cockerill continued 81 advertise
IN the papers for any original anec-
dotes regarding certain species OF
birds All manner Of men and women
bring me their stories If they are OF
value, | pay for them. II they are not,
I don't"
'If your visitors here all come upon
such harmless errands, why are you
so afraid. then, OF being assaulted or
OF burglars?" Bliss asked. :.
Mr. Cockerill smiled He took off
his spectacles and rubbed the glasses
with his silk handkerchief.
Most of the people who come here
want moneX" he explained. and no
person ho.vants money is altogether
harmless. Besides, I'm afraid must
confess i am man of nervous tenn
permanent. Have I satisfied your cur.
iosity, Bliss?"
Quite sir thank you
For two days after that there were
no visitors. On the third evening
Bliss, on his way out, was accosted
BY cheerful, red.faced little man.
who was standing on the ground floor
smoking big cigar, and studying the
register on the wall
Good evening" he said.
Good evening" Bliss replied.
The little man produced cigar
ease. r.
Have oneT' he invited.
Bliss who. few months ago, had
smoked nothing less expensive than
Murias or Coronas at hundred and
eighty shillings hundred, accepted a
very, dubious looking cigar with graf
itude. He paused to light it, standing
n the doorway. rsf
Queer fish, your guv'nor."
Bliss blew out the match and threw
II away.
~Queerest ever met" he admitted.
Good night"
The man strolled along with him.
what might his profession be-"
he asked curiously.
Bliss hesitated for moment.
mo secret about It that | know Of.
Hes a bird fancier."
"A what7'
"A, bird-fancier," Bliss repeated.
He's got a parrot, several canaries
and three bullf1nches in his room, and
he's writing book on birds"
The little, man looked sidewise at
his companion. Bliss, however. was
walking along quite unconsciously.
"Gets a good many visitors at
times, doesn't hep"
He pays for stories about birds"
Bliss explained People are all the
time bringing him anecdotes. II he
can make use of them in his book he
pays for them
The little mans lips twitched He
laughed softly to himself for some mo-
merits, then he drew closer to his com.
panion.
I'm not blaming you" he declared.
Il should do the same in your place,
only probably not SO well. What
about a ten pound note?"
well what about it?' Bliss re-
peated. a little bewildered.
His companion thrust his hand into
his waistcoat pocket. produced a ter
pound note which he displayed little
ostentatiously, and thrust it bacl;
again.
Have a drink he suggested.
ckopp;p1 .hort ,,pnp tho navarOept on