Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 September 1891 — DOUBLE DICK AND JOE; The Poorhouse Waifs. [ARTICLE]

DOUBLE DICK AND JOE; The Poorhouse Waifs.

BY DAVID LOWRY.

CHAPTER XIX. JOB PARALYZES THE LAWYER. I must go back to the morning of the flay on which Dick’s triumph ended so unfortunately in the ring. Ike Jenks, alias Pratty, passed up the street on which Monsieur Dufaur’s Academy was located, at the time Joe had said she was to be seen at the window. He saluted her and strode on, turning neither to the right nor the left. Shortly afterwards—a few minntes later—as Joe looked out on the street She saw Job Wonder staring at her. How long he had been there she did hot know. It could not have been long. He seemed to have “took root," to use his own homely language. The moment he saw he was observed, he walked away quickly in the direction opposite to that Mr. Pratty had taken. Ten minutes later the precious lawyer’s clerk and farmer met “Well—you saw her. ” “Yes—but great pancakes! Who’d a know’d her! Why, if I’d run agin her plum face to face on the street, I'd never said it ’twas Jee.” “You say it is her now?” “Her. I reckon I ought to know." “That’s the important point Sure there’s no mistake. ” “Look here young man. Is it likely my sight s failed since I left home? I hain’t drunk a drop—ne’er a drop. I’ve not gone and had my old roots grubbed out o’ my mouth like Bijah Harkins, ’n’ took gas, an’ gone clean crazy. I’ve been hyer long enough to get used to the •air; ate wholesome victuals—the butter might be a little better—but I’ve took precious good care of mySelf—and if I ■don’t know that gal from all other gals, then you’d better ’pint commissioners, and put Job Wonder in a lunatic asylum.” “All right. When will you go back to my uncle’s office?” Arrived at Jeremiah Jenks’ office, that individual took the farmer in hand in a professional manner that was the essence of cheek. “Well, Mr. Wonder, you are satisfied you have seen the person we are both Interested in. What do you propose?” “Me?” “Yes. ” Jdrem’ah Jenks was biting his fingernails.

Job Winder’s suspicions were aroused. “Why, I’m going to ask that gal to go home with me right oft, I’d done it on the spot—but your nephew made me promise I was only to look at her to make sure twas her —and more’n that— I wasn't to do nothin’ till we’d talked it ■over. ’N’ now I’m just biMn’ over with things to say, if you’ll let me say ’em. ” “To begin, with, Mr. Wonder, do you think she would go with you if you should promise everythirg you can think •of?” “Lord! Why won’t she?” “Why did she run away?” “Oh! that was all a mistake. I’ll make that all right. Just as soon as she knows Samanthy and my wife’s sorry, •and glad to get her back.” “Stay. Do you think she isn’t pretty comfortable where she is? Isn’t she well dressed? Isn’t she looking better than she ever did?” “By gum! I’d never know’d her! she’s •licked up that wonderful ” “What could you offer her that would compare with the life she is living now?” “Eh?” Job Wonder rose and stared at the lawyer. He had never looked at it in that light before. “See hyer, Squire. You lawyers be squires. I reckon. I took that gal Joe out’n a county pcorhouse. I signedpapers for her. They meant I wasn’t to let her be a burden on the county. An’ in Acorn County we allays live right up to what we sign—right up to the handle every time.” “Well?” The farmer wished he would quit biting his naiils, but he went on. “Why—that’s the sum total on’t. It’s my duty to take care of that there gal! to bring her up till she’s of age—or till such time as I’m satisfied somebody else ll take good care of her. ” “Well?” “That's enough, ain’t it? Can’t I take her? Who’se any better right, I’d like to know?” “Is that all? Are you through?” “Yes, I be. Now fire ahead—spit it right out, and I’ll sample your say.” The lawyer smiled. “We don’t do things in this State in that way. If that girl says she was not treated right, you can’t get any officer in New York to sign a paper authorizing you to touch her—not one.” “I can’t!”

“No! On the contrary, if anybody will £ome forward and give a statement supporting her statement of the cruelties practiced, she would be protected from the authorities of Acorn County!" “Great thunder!” “That is the fact." Jeremiah Jenks’ nail was bitten pretty close now. Job Wonder’s face expressed disgust and dismay. “I’m not concerned! I’m no poorhouse—nor no commissioner, fior overseer, either.” “Na” The manner in which the lawyer spoke angered Job Wonder. “What makes you say ‘No’ that way? You mean something. * “I do.” The lawyer turned square around and faced the farmer. “You have a motive in coming here—what is it?” “I don’t know whether you’d understand it—taln’t likely you would—bein’ a lawyer.” , , “I’ll try.” “I come to New York jest because I took a liking to that girl. There’s not a heuter agin me. I’d like to see any man said there is a heuter agin me." “What do you mean by a heuter, Mr. Wonder?” “Pshaw! I mean nothin’ in reason—no sort of ground for any fault—just nothing at all. ” “Oh!” “See hyer, Mr. Jenks. Spit It out, an’ done with it ” “W’eU, Mr. Wonder, I’ll put a case. ” “Go on. I’m listenin’. But don’t use no law lingo. Just you break it up, ad’s I k!n urqjerstapd it ”

“WeHt say the girl has not been fairly treated." “Who says so?” “No matter. Possibly there are peraons who heard you pity her, and say the Superintendent of Barnesville ought to be cowhided for whipping the girl, • “That’s that dod-blasted Breen! He*s a dirty sneak, an’ all the world knows it.” “Suppose there was a friend of Joe’s, or friends, who were disposed to look into the matter, and they found a bad state of affairs at the poorhouse?” “Well?” “And suppose they learned that you got her, and that the girl ran away from you because she was unjustly accused of stealing, when a cloud of witnesses can be brought to prove her Innocence was clearly established ” “Now I know it’s that rascally, dirty, sneaking, cowardly Breen. ” “There’s more than Breen for witnesses, " said the wily lawyer. “Now then,” said Job confronting Jeremiah Jenks angrily, while the color flushed over his face until it became purple, “I’ve got your measure. You think I’m scared. Well, I ain’t—not a mite—not a mite! Now you thought you had a greenhorn. You think I’d pay somethin’ rather than have my name mixed up, that I’d do most anything to keep my sister and wife’s name out o’ the dod-blasted newspapers. But you don’t know your man. No! you don’t by a jugfull. My sister’s like me—we’ve both made mistakes —but I’d like to see the man that’s got any better record than hers or mine, an’ as for my wife's name—Lord! All Acorn County will stand right up for Maria Wonder! You thought I’d like to be shet of the hull business, bein’ as how I’d took the girl home, ’n’ she’d scooted, ’n’ I’d made myself sort o’ responsible. You got some hindsight plan workin' —but I’ve got just enough foresight to steer clear o’ all your traps! You expected I’d plank down mebbe a hundred dollars or more just to get the girl to hold her tongue or help to get her away. I don’t want her away, I don’t keer where she is, as long as she’s with respectable folks. But I’ll tell you just what I will do. I’ll introduce myself to the folks she’s with. I’ll have a square talk, and if she gets into any trouble, an’ they’ll let me know in time, why then I’ll spend—well, you’ll find out how much money I’ll spend to find out what you’ve been up to. sendin’ answers te honest men’s advertisements, and holdin’ of ’em in town, ’n springin’ your forty little mosquito traps onto ’em! You mind! I'm goin’ now. You’ll mebbe wish you’d never seed Job Wonder before I get through with you. ” And whirling out of the office, Job Wonder walked away, leaving Jeremiah Jenks almost white with rage. The lawyer struck his desk with his clenched fist in his impotent wrath. At the same time a low chuckle—a sly chuckle—sounded in the back room. It was Ike—the hopeful Ike. He laid his head on one side, and said to himself: “Oh, my! Ain’t that just paryllzing?”

CHAPTER XX. JOE DISAPPEARS MYSTERIOUSLY. Job Wonder was a man who never lost time once he made up his mind. He walked straight from Lawyer Jenks* office to Monsieur Dufaur’s academy, and rung the bell. “They can’t do no more’n put me out,” he said to himself, “an’ I’ll give ’em a chance, now my dander's up. I ain’t goin’ to stay hyer in New York all this time, ’n go home to Samanthy and Maria with my finger in my mouth.” The welcome Madame Dufaur gave him surprised him. Madam thought he was calling in relation to a pupil, probably. “My name’s Wonder—Job Wonder.” Madam bowed. “I’m from Acorn County. ” Madam bowed and smiled. “You have a gal hyer—they call her Joe.” “Eh, sir!” Madam’s face was severe now. She said to herself, “This man wants to take her back w to that cross sister of his. ” “Why, I called to see Joe, but es you’ve any objection, I’ve nothin’ more to say, ’cept I’m down right glad to see her in a nice place, n lookin’, Lord! I never did think she could look like she does. ”

“Well, sir, I am listenin'. ” “Yes, I see you be, but you don’t take much stock in me. You don’t say so, but I can tell, ginerally. Howsomever, bein’ as how I come hyer in answer to that pesky lawyer’s letter, an’ spent my time an’ money, why, I thought I’d drap in ’n give you to understand that, if anythin’ happens to Joe, I’d like you to let me know. I’ll spend money on findin’ out anybody that meddles with her. She’s in a fine place with you—a beautiful place- ~’n I don’t—l wouldn’t interfere for anything, mlssis-r-that’s all I called to say.” “Pray keep your seat, sir. You speak of danger. Why do you think anybody would trouble Joe?” “I don’t think they will. 1 just thought if anybody should, you know. ” “This is strange.” “Yes, ’tis kinder silly—but that’s all, ma’am. Not another thing as I know of.” “Well, you are as kind as Joe says you are.” “Did she say that?” “She always speaks kindly of you, Mr. Wonder. ” “There now! Who’d a thought it? Well," I thought mebbe she wouldn’t bear spite agin me. I took a fancy to that little mite—but Lord! how you’ve been Improvin’ of her. I bet my wife and Samanthy wouldn’t know her if they’d meet her. That’s all, ma’am. I was going to ask her to go home with me if I found she wasn’t fixed to her own mind. I’m obleeged t’ye, ma’am, I’m sure. Give Joe my respects. ” “You can speak to her if you wish, Mr. Wonder. “Well, now—i’s you’ll obleege me, ma’m.” Madame Dufaur went out and returned with Joe—who ran to the farmer and extended her hand. “O! Mr. Wonder—you don’t want me to go back to the poorhouse!" “Why, bless yonr heart —I wouldn’t let you go back to Zeke Caper, not for five hundred dollars. ” “Then I’m so glad to see you, because you were so kind to me. ” “Pshaw, now—how you talk.” “It’s true, Mr. Wonder. You are the first one that ever gave me a kind look or word. ” “Poor gal—l reckon that’s true. ■ “Are you going homo right away?” “ ’Soon as I ean make a train, miss. ’ “Don’t call me miss, Mr. Wonder—call me Joe. ” “Well, I will You ain’t spoiled if you do wear fine clothes. ” "LVa try not to spoil people,” said

Madame fyifanr, who wm m%ch amused with his manner and language. “Well—if you’d come down to Acorn County. I’ll guarantee you a job that’ll last you all the year round, if you can Improve folks as you have improved Joe, hyer.” Joe blushed vividly as he looked at her. “You’ve got kinder toned down like—but there’s a lot o’ devilment in them eyes yet Well—l’ll tell Samanthy and Marta how I found you—and nobody ’ll be gladder ’n just Samanthy.? She s took on mightily ever sence you ran away—she’s dead sorry it happened.” “Tell your sister I never give it a thought now. ” “You may be sure I’ll carry home that message. It’ll sorter ease her to know it Well, I’ll be goin’ now. Good-by, Joe—good-by, ma'am—and mind what I’ve said. Good-by, ma'am. ” And Job walked out, bowing and swinging his hat as politely as if he was talking to a parson. “If I had thought of it ” said Madame Dufaur, “he eould have gone with you and Miss Murray to the circus; now I must go with you. I dare not trust you alone. •

That was the little speech Madame Dufaur smiled at She dare not trust two young ladies alone—but she did not want to see the circus. Such an idea was absurd! So, the same evening, Madame accompanied the two misses to the circus. What happened there has already been told. I have been thus particular in relating these details in the order in which the events happened, in order that the reader will realize the bearing they had upon subsequent events. When Joe beheld Dick on Firefly she started and trembled so that Madame Dufaur thought she shivered with,the draft of air, and bade her draw her wrap closer about her. Joe,was spell-bound. She had never beheld anything like a circus. It was all new, wonderful, charming. She was delighted with everything. When the white mare was led around the ring she fixed her gaze on the rider, in whom she beheld a strong resemblance to Dick., She did not dream it was Dick; such a thought never entered her mind. But there was a something—Joe could not define the feeling—that sudden'y recalled poor Dick, whom she at that moment thought was In Barnesville PoorPouse. When Dick fell from the mare, and lay at her side stunned, she was the first to lift the girl’s head (as she and all the spectators thought), while Madame Dufaur fanned DicK. There was a sharp, drawn look in Dick’s face that thrilled her—it was so like poor, dear Dick who had fought her battles and braved Zeke Caper, that Joe shed tears.

' And now, to think, after all that happened to her, that Dick had his adventures to relate. How charming it would be to listen to his account of his experiences. The world was beginning to be a bright, beautiful world to Joe. She was like a bird the remainder of the day. She sang and danced through the rooms; Madame Dufaur smiled, and nodded quiety to her husband, who eyed Joe in his turn curiously. Joo thought Dick would surely return in the evening with the clown's wife or clown; but evening came, passed, and there was no sign of either. Then Madame Dufaur consoled her by telling her they would come in after the evening’s performance. “In the meant.me, ” said Madame, “I want you to do an errand for me." Joe was only too glad of the opportunity to go out. She felt the four walls rather irksome that evening. She got her things, and receiving her instructions left the house humming a new song she had heard Madame Dufaur singing. It was not until she was gone that Madame Dufaur recalled Job Wonder’s words that seemed to convey a warning. Then she laughed. “Nonsese! what eould happen a child like that, ” and Madame Dufaur smiled. But she pondered deeply when half an hour passed and Joe did not return. At the end of an hour Madame Dufaur was in a fever of apprehension. “Something has happond to Joe,” she I said to her husband. “Eh—what is it?” Madame told him her forebodings—related the farmer's strange warning. “It is not possible!” exclaimed Moni sieur Dufaur—“but I will see! I will soon 1 see!” And Monsieur Dufaur darted off to the police author.t'es. He found little encouragement there—however, he did all that presence of mind and discretion could suggest When ha returned home, hoping to find Joe there, his grave face betrayed the truth to Madame Dufaur. “Ah! Poor child! Something terrible /has has happened to her.” j Monsieur Dufaur turned his face ! away and looked out of the window at the people passing. But he said never a word. [to be continued.]