Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 October 1891 — DOUBLE DICK AND JOE; The Poorhouse Waifs. [ARTICLE]

DOUBLE DICK AND JOE; The Poorhouse Waifs.

BY DAVID LOWRY.

CHAPTER XXll—Continued. “I—l would never mentioned It —but it’s the only way out of this scrape. They’ll take you, sure." “They never will,” said Joe resolutely. Then she pondered, hanging her head. The poor child had no more conception of what marriage was than a babe. She knew people, who lived in houses and had servants and children were married people—what made the difference between tho bachelor and the head of a house—between a maid, wife, or widow, she did not know.” At last she looked up smilingly and aald, “You are my friend. You mean you will marry me; then we can laugh at them. ” “That’s it, exactly,” said Jenks. “I’ll agree—if you can be sure you can marry me. I don't know how —how to get married. ” “Why, 111 explain all that to you. You see, all we've got to do is to go before an alderman, or no ary—or bring one in here slyly—or a preacher, and he asks us if we are ready to marry each other, and if we say yes he tells us that we are married, that's all. ” “But how can we ever manage that?” “O,” said the lawyer s clerk, “you trust me to manage it. I’ll tell them you won’t make any trouble, that you’ve found out there's no use; but you want to see a friend before you go away. Then I’ll go to a notary I know—there's lots of notaries lawyers—and tell him just how it is. He'll come and marry us and give me a certificate. I’ll flirt that in their sac you and I can go. They’ll see the jig’s up, and won’t they be disgusted!” “Very well, Mr. Piattv,” said Joe, very soberly; “you can do just as you have said, and I’ll never forget you as long as I live.”

“Then I’ll go—the sooner the better,” said Ike Jenks, with a smile as he hastened away. When ho re-entered the adjoining room, there was a louder burst of merriment than usual, but Joe paid no attention to it. She was thinking how angry Zeke Caper would be when he discovered he could not take her back to Barnesvtlle Poorhouse. She was absorbed in thought so deeply that she did not observe the door of the room she was in opening. Her attention was drawn to it by a peculiar sound. Joe turned quickly as a hand was withdrawn; at the same instant something tell on the floor at her feet. She turned swiftly and picked up a ball of paper. It was pressed together, as if it had been held closely betweon a person’s hands. Joe unfolded it rapidly with trembling hands, and ho!ding it near the light read: “You are all right. Don’t fret. Friends are near. Don’t do anything, nor say a word. Trust to Dick. ”

When Joe read this she gave a little cry of joy. Then she recalled Ike Jenks’ warning. What could all the friends do for her? Caper could take her back to Barnesviile, spite of them. And yet, it was comforting to know that Dick was near. Dick! Dear Dick! What did it mean? How did they find where she was? And what hand was it tossed the paper to her? These were the Questions that puzzled poor Joe’s brain, as she concealed the note, and composed herself to reflect upon her strange experience. Meanwhile tho lawyer’s clerk was enjoying the situation he had created. Wasn’t he smart, he asked himself. How his uncle would fume and swear. How everybody would applaud his adroitness when the story came out? Why, it was better than any p'ay he had ever seen, and—well, he’d seen all of ’em, had the smart lawyer's clerk. Why, it would make a column story in the papers. To bo sure, it would—nothing less. And her likeness was sure to be in all tho pap ers —y es > and so would his. But he'd take precious good care somebody paid him handsomely to talk. Whew! A thought struck him. Why, he would write the story out himself, and sell it to the most enterprising newspaper. Why, there was oceans of money—and no end of notoriety in the scheme that Ike was working out rapidly. Ike's friends were not taken wholly into his confidence. Ike was “not that kind of a hairpin.” Oh, no! He told them all he thought necessary. They would pretend to be duped by him; they would let the notary come in—“a real notary, and no humbug about it.” Ike said there would be a reajfcwedding, and by and by, when he had'ms money, he would give them a hundred dollars apiece, “and such a lay-out as would make their mouths water every time they thought of it as long as they lived. ” Now he was really off for a notary who would be taken into his confidence “just a little bit,” enough to induce him to take a nice fee for marrying them. “Oh, everything is working lovely!” said the precious clerk, as he darted off in quest of the notary. “Won’t I give New York something to talk about—yes, and old England, too; won’t I before I’m a week older!”

CHAPTER XX 111. DOUBLE DICK’S DETECTIVE WORK. I will return to Dick, now, and note his movements, since so much depends upon them. Dick realizod the difficulties in the way, but his experience had sharpened him. He knew human nature. He yeas honest, direct, unaffected. He made friends and retained them. The boy reasoned thus: “As long as I do what’s right I need never be ashamed. And why should I ever be afraid?” Very simple It looks like a short creed, but it was all Dick had to guide him. It must have been printed on his face, for nobody questioned his statements. His manner was so direct and straightforward, it impressed everybody favorably. Besides, he had a peculiar way of attracting boys. They took to him instinctively. Dick seemed to realize his power over boys of all ages. He resolved to test it now. He accosted a lad near Monsieur Dufaur's immediately after he left the door. The boy was very well dressed. He was, it was clear, a rich man's son.

•Excuse me," said Dick politely, accosting the well-dressed lad, “Do yon live in this neighborhood?” “Yes; just round the comer. • "Do you know Monsieur and Madame Dufaur?” “O, well enough to speak. ” “I want to do them a good turn, may be you can help me.” - Tho boy looked .at Dick curiously. The language was curious—good Samaritans and saints were scarce, and the well dressed boy was surprised to find one on tho market ready to be bid In. He felt like saying as much, but he listened. “I’ll tell you just how it is. One of their servants has lost herself —or somebody has carried her off—that’s all the story, but I know the servant, and I’d like to find out what has become of her. All I ask of you is—well, I’d like to know where the worst crowd of boys are to be found in this part of the city. If you’ll tell me that I’ll be obliged to you. You’ll know I’m telling you the truth—lt will be in the papers unless the girl comes back soon. ” “I didn’t think you was lying,” said the boy. “What do you want to do with a lot of thieves and jailbirds, eh?" “Why, if I can get some of them to talk, I may learn something. ” “That's a good idea, too. Well, I’ll tell you now how you’ll find out about the worst gang in the city. They are a bad lot. I know ’em. You go—see here—what’s your name?” “Dick—Richard, I suppose—my other name is Dick too —I’m called Double Dick sometimes.” The boy smiled. He “took” to Double Dick at once “Well, you go round to Mother Pitcher's little shop, you’ll find it next square. Near there you will see a lot of men loafing, that’s a livery. And around there you’ll see some boys. Say—if they ask you who you are—that Tom Gerald sent you. That’s all. They know mo —most of ’em. You can pump ’em then —and may be they will know something. There’s a second-hand store there—old Isaac's—you’ll see somebody in that block you are hunting.” “I’m obliged to you,” said Dick “You’re entirely welcome —what’s the servant's name?” “Joe.” “Just Joe?” “I don’t know her other name.” “Well, go round there —you’ll find some of the rascals —they’re always around, trying to see what they can stea.”

Dick thanked him and hurried away. The boy looked after him, saying to himself: “There’s a fellow that will fool whoever takes him for a greeny, and be has a kind of a fresh look, too. ” Dick resolved a plan as he left the boy. The mention of the second-hand clothing store gave him the germ of an idea, which he was working out. By the time he reached old Isaac’s, he had remarked two things. One was the suddenness with which he left elegant buildings at his back, and the rapidity with which evidence of a different life accumulated as he noted tho dingy buildings. Scarcely a hundred yards intervened—and here was wealth and elegance on one side and squalor, or at least poverty, on the other. Far away off to the left he observed an alley, and on the main thoroughfare was contracted; the houses, too, had a cramped appearance. He observed the second-hand store near at hand. There was a name—tho lettering was very dingy—the store dingier. 'He could not see through tho windows, they were so dirty. Dick entered boldly, The proprietor looked at him sharply. “I want to look at some old clothes — about my size.” “Ah—you want old clothes —I have no old clothes. ” “Well—some clothes that are not as bright as theso. ” “Oh—h! Yes —low in color. Why didn’t you say so. Step this way. ” Dick followed him to a little back room where Isaa : had hanging up, lying on boxes, and tossed everywhere in confusion, all sizes and stylos of old clothes. They were low enough in color, as Dick laughingly said to himself. There were pantaloons he would scarcely pick off the street —queer dented hats, caps, overcoats —a little of everything. “I needn’t waste time looking over these. ” “No waste of time—no trouble to show goods. ” “See here, sir, I want tho worst o!d clothes you've got, sir- Tho worst a boy my size can wear. I'll pay you for the loan of them—if you'll let me put them on here—and come back and change for my own again. ” “All right—just you rummage around back of them boxes. I’m pretty sure I put some boys’ clothes back there a week ago—he was an Irish boy. I’ll charge you a dollar for them so long do you want them?” “Until you close up tonight.” “That is two hours—you can rap on the door—l never go to bed till two. Well—you pay me now.” “Won’t it do when I come back? I’m leaving these good clothes until I come back, ain’t I?” The proprietor elevated his hands. “How cculd Ido lusiness that way? I would go to the poor hou e, sure." “Well, 1 It give you half a dollar now, and, yes, a dollar win n I come back, if you’ll promise not to mention my coming here.”

“Me? me mention it! Ha, ha, my boy, you don’t know old Isaac; you don’t know me. See here, my boy, I’m a poor man, a very poor man; but I’ll give you a hundred dollars, cash ir.o ey, if you can find one person in New York who wi 1 say Isaac ever mentions his customers.” Dick handed him a half dollar and speedily found a dirty pair of torn pant) and a jacket with frayed elbows and wrists. An o’d plush cap that almost fell over his ears was his next find. Then he was ready for the transformation he sp elily effected. As he emerged from the ta ;k room the proprietor started. “My, I would not know you. You will deceive your own father!” Dick smiled and hast* ned out and socn found the boys he had be ?n to!d he would see lounging in the neighborhood. Although he had never heard of the m thois pursued by detectives—had no knowledge of their arts—he was in a fair way to accomplish as fine a piece of detective work as tould be conceived. Accosting a rough-looking toy, larger than himself, he inquired if be wanted to “make a little money.” “Eh! What ye given me?” “I mean just what I say. I think I can tna'<e a trifle for both of us.” “Look here, Pete, ” said the boy addressed, hailing an associate near him. •Listen to the guff. ” •What is it?” “This here duffer’s a rollin’ in wealth, he is. Wants to divvy.” aean it,” said Dick.

"What d’ye mean?” demanded Peter aurlily. “Well, I can’t take you Into my confidence unless you both promise to keep it to yourselves * “O, that’s all right We ain’t goln’ round biowU*’ like brass-bands: are .we Tom?" “You bet" “Well, it’s Just tble. I want to find where Dufaur’s girl is." “Dufaur’s girl?” Tom looked at Pete and winked, and Pete stuck his tongue in his cheek as he winked at Tom. “Ax u 9 something easy. Maybe she’s sleeping in her little bed—or maybe she's sittln’ up with her feller—or maybe she’s at the theayter, or hasn't come home from the circus. There’s plenty of room for Imagination before you’re just precious sure whore any girl Is, and as for Dufaur's girl—es I wanted to know precious bad, do you know, young feller, what I’d do. I’d go round and ring the bell and ax at home.” “I see you don’t understand me, ” said Dick. “No, we are very slow of comprehension—me and Pete, here. ” “Maybe that will help you.” Dick quietly handed each a dollar note The change that came over the faces of the two worthies was rare to see. Their eyes saapped as they looked at the money and crammed the notes in their pockets. “He means biz, ” said Tom. . “I believe yer,” said Pete. “Now, young feller, fire away. I like your beginning first rate. ” “You'll like my ending, too—yes,” said Dick very deliberately, as he looked from one to the other with eyes that seemed to search their souls, “twenty times better, if you’ll dmply tell me how to go about what I want, or help me do what I want.” The boys whispered, and looked at the newcomer askance. They wore comparing impressions. Evidently they believed it was a paying thing to accept him at his word. “VVe 1, now, what is it?” “Just this,” said Dick shortly. “There’s a girl missing from Dufaur's In the next, block. ” “Yes, we know where it is. ” “Well, she has been missing over two hours. There is reason to think she has been carried off. If she has and there is anybody you two know who would do it—for big pay—if there is any place handy where they could hide her, you two ought to know just where it is. ” “I’m a listenin’. What d’ye think, Tom?”

“What do you think?” The worthies whispered. Then Tom demanded abruptly, “Do you know the gal—say, what does she look like —which of the gals Is It? There’s three or four at Dufaur's —Pete an’ me seed ’em often. ” “The girl I mean is small but very pretty, with very small, black eyebrows ” “Jet black?” “Yes, and a clear, white forehead.” “Dimples in her cheeks—shows very white teeth when she laughs?” “Exactly. ” “That’s the one, Tom—the one wo seed ” Here the boys whispered. “Well,” said Dick, coo ly, “you kuow who I mean. Now, you’ve seen some one talking to her —going with her?” “No. No matter; yoh’re off the lay altogether. See here, you’re not giving us guff. ” “ You may beliove mo or not These are old clothes I’m wearing just to keep people off the scent until I learn something. I’m not as poor as I look. I’ve got that much money myself, but there's others will give you all I’ve promised If you’ll only put me in tho way of finding where she is. I won’t ask cither of you to betray a friend.” “He talks right, Tom.” “Yes, them’s the right sentiments. Well, we—that Is, Tom and me—don't never go back on our friends. But there’s a dudo"comes round here who thinks he knows it all; and we’ve got it in for him, hain’t we, Tom. ” “A little—yes. ” “And if our guess is right, why maybe we can put you in a way to find the gal. ” The truth was that these boys bad witnessed the lawyer’s clerk rescuing Joe from the loafer's insults a few evenings before—and they marveled much at the scene, knowing how intimate the scoundrels were. They surmised at once that Ike Jenks had a hand in Joe’s abduction, and they knew where she would be conveyed, or Induced to go. And then, there was twenty dollars apiece for them. Four times the amount of money either evet had, at one time, to ca’l his own. It was a windfall —a little fortune, [to be continued.]