Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 September 1891 — DOUBLE DICK AND JOE; The Poorhouse Waifs. [ARTICLE]

DOUBLE DICK AND JOE; The Poorhouse Waifs.

BY DAVID LOWRY.

CHAPTSB XXL JOS MEKTS SB. PBATTT AGAIN. At half past ten Monsieur Bufaur's . bell rang. •Seel it Is Mister Brown—or that boy 1* said Madame Dufaur. “I know it! —I feel it * l Monsieur Dufaur ushered the clown, ’ his cheesy wife, and Dick into the room a minute later. Mrs. Brown was quick to perceive something was amiss. •Are you not well, Madame Dufaur?* , she said. •Ol Monsieur must tell you—l can- 1 not” •It is a very strange affair,” said Mon- I sieur Dufaur. •Incomprehensible,” said Madame. ,< •Inexplicable,” added her husband QtPtfrnfully •It is poor Joe —the child has disappeared." “Whats” exclaimed Dick. “Joe lost!" “Since—it will be three hours since she went out,” said Madame Dufaur. “And which way did you send her?" asked the clown, with a serious face. “Ol ’twas but a little ways—only five ! minutes’ walk. She has often returned j In fifteen minutes —yes, less time. * There was a profound silence. Then the down spoke. “Whatever is done must be done quickly. ” “What can I do? Tell me I will do anything,” said Monsieur Dufaur, holding out his hands. “You—we must go to the police.” “I have been to see the police—l have told all—have described the girl. • “Well —did you tell them to exert themselves to their utmost’” “I have said to them: ‘Spare no paint, spare no means; I will pay liberally.’ What more can k I do? Yes, I can advertise In the papers. Them I am done I can do no more. ” “l ean,” said Dick, decisively. They looked at ldn). “Eh? You! What can you do?" Monsieur Dufaur looked down'on him with'ajpok of wonder. •I will go round and ask all the boys In the streets about here, and in the stores. Til ask the poHeemad on this square I’ll keep asking till I find something. ” “I guess you are right, Double Diek, ” •aid the clown. “That’s business with a big B. But I can’t help any, I’m afraid However, I’ll see you can have plenty of time” “It is a dificult task,” said Monsieur, •still it is better than doing nothing. I am glad someone can do it. As for me, I can employ a detective I did not think of that ” •That is business, too,” said the clown. Ben Brown hid formed a plan he resolved to pursue on his own account, but he said nothing. So they separated eadly, Madame Dufaur grieving that she had permitted Joe to go oat alone after dark, Monsieur Dufaur to employ a detective Immediately, Dick to inquire ol all the boys he encountered residing near at hand, while Ben went away to consult a friend whom he thought would assist in the search. Meanwhile I will relate what befell Joe that evening. Joe had performed the errand required of her and was returning home, when she was accosted by a poor woman who begged permission “just to speak to her. ” The woman looked so wretched that Joe’s heart was touched. “There is a little money—l’m so sorry I can’t give you any more. ” “O! thank you—but if anybody would come and see my sick child —if anybody would do something for her. ” “Is it a girl?” “Just like you, miss.” “Where do you live?” “Just in here below—in a cellar." “In a cellar!” “Yes, and awful bad It is. ” Joe was distressed, “I can’t do anything. ” “No! but you might send some one—•fter I’ve took you to see. ” “I’ll go with you—now, but I can’t stay a minute.” Thus it was that poor Joe’s sympathies were played upon. The poor woman was employed simply to snare the girl. Poor Joe walked with both eyes wide open into the trap. There are many such traps in all our large cities. ' ' “Why, you said it was just here?” “We’ll be there directly; here we are now, miss." ■ The woman entered a dark passage; the next instant Joe felt a pair of hands around her mouth and throat, while a voice whispered in her ear: “Kefep quiet, orT’ll murder you; try to scream or run, and it will be your last move:" But, notwithstanding this horrible threat, Joe struggled, freed herself, and opened her mouth to cry for helpi, when she received a blow that deprived her of consciousness. When she regained consciousness she heard a man’s voice, saying: “I had to do it; she’a brought someone down on us in a second. She’s not hurt any. I didn’t hurt her; just stunned her a trifle. It’ll teach her a lesson.” “Yes; but if you hurt her Jenks will make a row, and you know it. You’d better ’less up, and don’t bring me in it ” “You’re awfully afraid of Jenks; I’m not” “Yes, you are, for all you blow so much.” There was more said, but Joe did not hear it The voices were lowered. Evidently the speakers had discovered that she was conscious. The name Jenks somehow impressed her. Who was Jenks? Why were they afraid of Jenks? What was he like? Was it to please him, she was brought there? These and other auestions pawed rapidly through Joe’s troubled brain as she lay with her eyes closed, listening intently. So the young man’s warning was based on good grounds. Somebody was seeking to Injure her, -and it wasn’t Mr. Caper, either. Oh, if she had only listened to that young Mr. Pratty! What would Monsieur and Madame Dufaur think? What would they do? They might think she Was an ingrate, and ran away the first opportunity that presented. They might think she was

pitying a part ill tills time. Bui, tod! Surely— surely Manama Dufaur would credit her With more honesty! “Poor Joel Little did she dream of the commotion her absence caused in the domicile of the Duf aura “Hello! You’re not asle'ep?” It was a harsh, coarse voice that addressed her, as a hand was placed on her shoulder. Joe sprang upright as she said, with flashing eyes: “How dare youl Not I’m very wide-awake now. And you'd better be careful how you treat me, because I've frbnds." “Friends, have yer!" “Yes; friends wh) are able to punish people who ill-use me." “Who’s ill-using you?" “None o’ that now. You let tbo girl be; mind what I told you, or you’ll wish you had ” “Well—but 1 don’t want her chlnufn’ mel” Then a young man, with a sleek face and a manner that made Joe recoil, he was so snaky and sneaking, approached her, and In a low voice, designed to reassure her, said: “Don't you be afraid, miss; this Is a respectable house —we’re the most respectable folks in the city. We wouldn't hurt a hair o’ yer head. No, bless you, not for the world. ” Joo felt precisely as yon hevt felt when your hand came in contact with a toad. She drew back (she was reclining in a broken rocking-chair) and looked fearfully at the oily speaker. “Do—do go away. If you don’t mean harm, what did you bring me here for—let me go home." “Well, we will by and by. You see—mind, I’m your friend —your true friend —this is a matter I’m not allowed to mix in. Same time I’ll see no harm comes to you." There was a sound in the adjoining room Joe recognized quickly—a clinking of glasses. She listened Intently, but she did not distinguish any of the voices she heard in the next room. Suddenly the two men left her, and a min ute later a sac face Joe recognized in the darkness —looked In at her. It was the face of Mr. Pratty, the young man who had warned her of danger. Would he recognize her? The face came nearer—then Mr. Pratty spoke. “It isn’t—it cannot be the young lady I met at ” “At Monsieur Dufaur’s —it is. O, take me away at ouce!" Joe exclaimed. “Sh!” exclaimed Mr. Pratty. “Shi I must see that we are not observed." Mr. Jenks, alias Pratty, put a hand to his head thoughtfully, after the manner of actors in melo dramas, and leaned toward Joe. “I never was so surprised in all my life—never!"

CHAPTER XXII. TUB LAW CLBBK'S BOLD SOHBM*. Mr. Pratty advanced and spoke In a whisper. “How came you here—who brought you here?" There was a clinking of tumblers, and under cover of the noise Joe said in a rapid speech: “I don’t know—they hit me and stunned me—l don’t know who, but I know their face* They were here a moment ago." “You are sure?” “They just went out." “Then they must be in the next room.” Mr. Pratty put a hand over bis mouth, and leaning in a dramatic manner toward the door, to which one thumb pointed, he jerked the thumb significantly. Joe nodded quickly. “Humph? Well, it’s lucky I came In here. I never am here—except on business. I’m a lawyer’s clerk (he didn’t say he was his uncle’s), and I’ve got to go around hunting up witnesses in all kinds of p’aces. This” —lowering his voice—“is a terrible place—for a young lady. Terrible.” “Can’t you tell the police, or tell my friends, and they’ll soon get me away—yes, and Monsieur Dufaur will punish them for it. They’ll never meddle with any one again, If Monsieur Dufaur catches them. ” “Yes, no doubt. But this is a ticklish thing. Awful ticklish. You see, the very moment I go out they'll take you somewhere else, and then how am I to prove I saw you here? Why, they’d swear through thick and thin' they never saw you—never heard of you. And I’d be laughed at No! I’ve a better plan than that I’ll pretend I know you—that you're a friend of mine, and in short, Miss, I’ll just have to make believe I won’t, have no nonsense, because you are my particular favorite. See?” Joe did not see, and said so very prompt y. “Why can’t you make a row now, and then 111 run away and find the read home ”

“They’d think nothing of settling my hash, * said Mr. Pratty in elegant phrase, “and they’d be rougher with you. No. In the first place, I must find out who’s at tho bottom of this. I must find out who’s paying them to do this, and all about it, in short. Then I'll spring a trap on them. Now, I'll slip out again, and if you don't see me soon you may be sure I’m wo king a plan to get you out of their clutches. ” Then Mr. .lenks darted out quickly and Joe was left alone again. She looked eagerly about the room. There was no means of exit There was but one door, and that led into the room where she heard loud voices and the clinking of g asses. The time seemed interminable to poor Joe. In reality but ten or fifteen min utes elapsed, but Joe never could believe h)urs did not roll round before Mr. Jenks reappeared softly. “I thought you had gone—l was sure you had gone. ” 1 * “No. I was just getting to the bottom of this business Now, listen to me. I’m a lawyer's clerk, as I told you. I know all about the law. There’s somebody has a claim on you.” “I know—Mr. Caper, of Barnesville Poorhouse. O, I'll die—l’ll kill myself before I’ll go back there," Joe cried. “Well, now, you may believe me or not; they can take you ” “Not if Monsieur Dufaur or Mr. Job it * “You*just listen a minute, then you’ll see just how it is. In the first place—now don’t interrupt me till I get through. In the first place, the poorhouse authorities can take you. I suppose you’ve an idea of that sort In the next place, there’s an old farmer who says he is respbnsible for you to that Mr. Caper, or to the authorities of Acorn Oounty. It seems the old codger is in New York—now don’t speak, wait till I'm done. Well, he’s interested mightily. „ He’ll lose, I guess, five hundred dollars if he can’t produce you when Acorn County authorities demand you. So, he’s anxious to get out of that fix. But it

seems he’s made a Best VTlh tho supet* tntendent of the poorhouse like this: The old farmer’s nol to be known In 11 one way or other. He came to town and spied around—got policemen and detecttivea—found you out—then, instead of telling them to nab you—you see, to do that he would have to figure in it. and as near as I can learn, he’s afraid his wife will make it warm for him if he gets his name in the papers—as It would; It couldn’t, help beiqg printed when tt comes into court, as It must. So he is pretty sly—awful sly is the old farmer—he finds a gang of fellows who will hold Jou till they get word to Zeke Caper, and e’ll send on, or come on himself—more like he will come on to New York himself, and then, when he gets you back in Acorn County, why, no one will suspect the farmer's had a hand In it—and It leaves him out—no more responsibility on his shoulders." “I don’t believe It," Joe cried—but the doubts had entered the poor girl’s heart —she did belteve it—and the disillusion was more difficult to bear up under than the dread of encountering Zeke Caper again, “Well—that's Just all I learned—l believe it It's dear enough to me, miss." “It Is Job Wonder—the man who waa kindest to ma " “Ah. That's a pity, too." “He—he—he," Joe was sobbing now, “called at Monsieur Dufaur’s to-day." “Whati” exclaimed Jenks. He waa not a. bad actor—lke Jenks' surprise HAAmAH PAftl “He called to—to—to tell ua Is—ls anything happened me—so Madame Dufaur told me—to be sure and send him word, and he would do all he could to help me.” Jftikir exclamation seemed to be final. “Thatsetties it” “What settles it?" “Why—don’t you see? He knew be : forehand, and how did he know? Because ha bad planned it Then the cheek of the scoundiW—to go to you* house and pretend he would help find you!" Mr. Isaac Jenks, alias Pratty, was virtaioely, furiously indignant at such treachery. He coaid not say enough ill of Job Wonder. Poor Joe was abashed— dum founded. “The worst of it is, if you should manage to get back to Monsieur Dufaur’s either Zqltß Caper or Mr. Wonder O, he la i wonderful sly Wonder, is heel ther of them can walk right in, take you out of the house, and no one dare say boa That’s the law. Suppose Monsieur Dufaur or his wife is inclined to resist, well, then, they'll be arrested: and before they get out of the mass It'll cost ’em—well, knowing what I know, seeing what I’ve seen of interfering with law, if they get off with a hundred dollars apiece to two or three lawyer*— and it’ll take two or three sure, and two or three hundred to pay the folks about court—well, they'll be lucky. * “O, dear! That would be dreadful—all that money to pay just because they mfftbt want to help met ” “01 You don’t know nothing about it, miss. How can vou. I know—because I’m iu the law so much." “I can’t go back to Monsieur Dufaur’a, if I could get away—l can’t go anywhere! I don’t know anybody. My God! What shall I da ” Joe bent her head and wept. “I’ll—l’ll take something—l’ll do something desperate—l’ll never go back to the poorhouse—never!" And Joe meant it Jenks saw it In her face, and it suited his vile purpose. “They shan’t take you back—l won’t let them." “But you said no one could prevent them —that nobody must Interfere. ” “O, no. I didn’t say that, miss. ” Joe looked at him in astonishmenthope lit up her face again. She smiled as she asked him, “Then what did you say?” “I said Dufaurs dare not interfere. ” “Well”— Joe’s face became downcast again. “There’s Just one way—only one." He looked at her very kindly, and winningly, as he thought Joe thought he was very sorry for her. “Well—what Is it?" The noise and laughter in the next room grew louder. Jenks continued. “Why—if you were married nobody could touch you. Zeke Caper might have all the officers In Acorn County to back him—all the lawyers In New York, and you’d laugh at them if — if you had a husband. He’d make them stand back mighty quick. He would. ” “Married!" Joe echoed the word scarcely realizing Its meaning. “Yes, but I’m not married! So what’s the use of telling me that?” “But you could be. ” He said no more. There was no need. Joe’s quick eyes saw all he meant. She flushed scarlet. “I understand.” [to b* continued.]