Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 October 1891 — DOUBLE DICK AND JOE; The Poorhouse Waifs. [ARTICLE]

DOUBLE DICK AND JOE; The Poorhouse Waifs.

BY DAVID LOWRY.

CHAPTER XXlll—Continued. •“See here, young fellow—this Is a •square deal, now.” “Perfectly sauaro,” said Dick quietly. “We’ll get the rhino right away as ■soon as the gal's found.” “You’ll get It to-morrow before ten. If she’s discovered through your aid tonight.” “That’s the cheese. Now then. 'There's a rookery round In the alley .here—old—no matter, we’ll show you where it is. If it’s the way wo think, •why, the gal’s hid there. But see here, young feller, it don’t suit us to go in if >it can be helped—if the place is pulled!” “Pulled?” “Yes —raided.” “Raided?” “Yes—gone through as clean as a •whistle. ” “Gone through?” “Well, you are fresh. Tom, let mo •tackle this feller. He means the bobbies will come down on them. ” “The bobbies?” “The p’lice—don’t know nawthin\ at Jill” —with a contemptuous drawl. “The p’lice 1 said. If they arrest everybody after we’ve been in and got out, they’ll blame us —see?” “I understand very ■ well—why didn't you say so before?” said Dick dryly. “You can go in. You’ve got to lot on ” “Never mind—l’ll manage that. But first, I want to borrow a shoe box—and ■blacking brushes.” “O! he's playing it down fine, Pete.” “Yes, he is—he’s not so fresh as he looks. We’ll get you the things—ls you’ll pay interest on ’em. ” Peter disappeared and speedily reappeared with the brushes and box, and Dick followed them to a few yards of the •door of the house where he had reason to believe he would learn something of Joe. When he entered the place, the smell •of vile tobacco almost overpowered him. The air was thick with smoke. There were other vile smells. One or two looked at him sharply as he lounged in, and one man —a man with a very brutal face—eyed him as if he would kick him Into the street. “Hello, baby, what are you after?" this coarse fellow demanded. Dick did not answer. Instead, he looked at the unpolished shoes and boots; in the room, and, going from o*e to anther, said: “Shine, shine, shine!” “Shine the devil!” said one ruffian. “1 will, if you pay for the time lost,” said Dick, whereat even the mam who • scowled at hi.m laughed loudly, and Dick, going to the greasy bar, said: “Gimme glass beer.” He munched a cracker, and a piece of sausage, and kept his eyes and ears wide open. He heard —saw all that •transpired. Nobody dreamed that the bootblack, sidling around, looking at the horrible woodcuts on the walls, and whistling softly to himself, was noting •every movement—listening to every work uttered. But so it was, until Dick found an opportunity to scribble the note, and to •toss it in to poor Joe, whose cheeks were wet with tears. He managed it very adroitly, indeed, and he was not too eager to run away once he found the •opportunity to fling his warning note in to J oe. He remained long enough to see the meaning shrugs exchanged by Mr. Jenks and his fellow conspirators, to hear all that was said, and then he went all around the room, crying “Shine, shine!” until he was repulsed, when he coolly ■opened the door and walked out

CHAPTER XXIV. DOUBLE DICK’S DEEP MORTIFICATION— “A PROVIDENTIAL INTERFERENCE.” To return to Old Isaac’s, pay the other half-dollar and another on top of it, dress himself, and set out for Mons. Dufaur’s occupied very few minutes. Dick was in a perspiration with ex•clteraent; he was running, in his haste, when a stern voice hailed him. “Hi! bi! there —stop thief —head him Off there! Stop that boy there!” Dick halted and looked back. An old man grasping a grip-sack was running after him, shouting “stop thief!” after him. A crowd gathered in a minute. It was wonderful how speedily the street was 'blocked ud by the people. They flocked from all quarters, A policeman appeared—two, three policemen—all bearing on poor Dick. One seized him by the shoulder •roughly. Dick shook his arm. The policeman scowled at him. “isone o’ that, my boy,” said the policeman, angrily. “What have I done? You’ve no business to touch me—l ain’t a thief.” “You ain’t?” “No. And if you don’t let me go you’ll pay dearly for it. Den Brown and Mr. Duckett will mako you sweat for it if -you arrest me. ” Dick was unabashed. Ho looked at tho officer boldly. The officer grew white with rage “Shut up! Shut up your trap, or I’ll make you!” By this time the old gentleman had ■reached the boy’s side. “Now, see the iix you’re in for stealing ■my wallet. Mr. Policeman, I guess you needn’t take him up if he’ll promise ■never to do it again. * The crowd laughed, and the policemen —there were three of them together now —smiled. . “Come along,” said the man who ■grasped Dick’s arm. “No, no! Let him off. Just take my wallet from him. It’s not worth while putting-yourself to any more trouble ” Tho crowd roared, and the policemen •gathered around Dick as they pushed forward. “I’ll go with you quietly,” said Dick, “but you’ve all been warned—Mr. Buckett will make you pay for this. * “W ho’s Buckett?” demanded one of the office! s. “He "owns the circus, an! he’s got plenty of money. ” “What do you know about Buckett?” Tho officer gave Dick a shake —“none of your humbugging. ‘Buckett!’ I’ll Buckett you, talking about Bucket." “He’ll make you shake more than you you shook me. I tell you he hires me, ■and he’ll make you all sorry for this. ” “See here. ” said the farmer, “let him go—only take my wallet from him.” “I never saw your wallet, sir. You’re mistaken, sir.” “Well —maybe I am. ” The farmer plunged his hand into his pockets, and shouted, “It's all a mistake —ft’s all a mistake! I put my wallet into the wrong pocket, that's all—here it is ” He held it up, the crowd saw it, and began to jeer the officers. The officers made demonstrations that scattered the crowd right and left, and soon the way was dear. Then they .consulted each •other and turned on the farmer. “Are yon sure you’ve got your «oney?“ “Haro it ia—you ean-look, officers*

“Why In thunder don’t you know what you are doing, making all this racket, and blocking up the streets, shouting stop thief?” “You ought to stay in your cabbagepatch, old man.” “Or get yourself a new head before you oome to town again.” After delivering themselves of theso opinions, the officers sot Dick free, with an admonition to “be more careful in future” (?)? then went about their business. The crowd had dispersed almost as speedily as it had gathered, and the farmer and Diok were left almost alone, “See here—l’m awful cut up. I am, sure as you live, my boy. You run agin mo so hard—and I’m afraid o’ thieves — and when I clapped my hand in my pocket, and missed my wallet ” “Don’t say any more—it’s all right now. I don’t blame you. Most any one would do the same—only I ain’t that sort of a boy, and it raakeg me feel mean to be stared at by a crowd." “You said you wero with Buckett, the circus man.” “Yes, sir; I am. ” “Do sayl And now—what do you do in the circus?” “I am not at liberty to toll. ” “Phew! Sho! now—that's queer. You dassent tell! Well, I can tell who I am, and what I’m hyer so I’m goin’, and ail about It. I’m on my way home lickety spit—my name's Job Wonder, and ” “Wonder!” “\ r es —Wonder. Ever hoar it before?” “You are the man that came to see Joe.” “Yes, I be—just that man. But what do you know about Joe?” “Don’t go home —not now. Go along with me to Monsieur Dufaur’s—quick. ,joe’s in trouble. I’ve just come from her. ” “What’s the matter, eh? Anything serious? If there is, I’m not going home till it’s straightened out. 1 may as well hang over to-morrow; I’ll not leave Joe in trouble ” As they hastened to Monsieur Dufaur’s, Dick endeavored to explain the situation to the farmer, but Job Wonder couldn’t grasp the truth; the perfidy of the lawyer’s clerk, the audacity of the scheme were not comprehended fully by Job. But he was terribly excited on learning that Joe was abducted —held against her wishes —and in the power of a wretch who was evidently capable of any crime. “Dod blast ’em all, I say!” he exclaimed time after time, as Dick narrated, in outline, all he had learned in the disguise he had assumed. “Dod blast ’em! I’ll not leave New York tin I’ve put the hull gang of them in the penitentiary!” “I’m glad its happened this way, ”said Dick as they neared Monsieur Dufaur’s. “There’ll be such a lot of us When we go ’round there with the police that they’ll all be capture!, I don’t want one to get away—l want thorn ail arrested. ” “Y r es; and I’ll see they are all punished, if there’s any law in York State. You make up your mind to that! Why, it’s a providential interference—my meetin’ you. Blamed if it ain’t. Yes, after this I’ll believe in Providence. If I hadn’t thought you —no matter—l’d been to the depot by this time—like as not trav’lin’ home.”

CHAPTER XXV. DOUBLE DICK TURNS THE TABLES ON IKE. “I’ve found her!” Dick shouted whon he was admitted to Monsieur Dufaur’s, with Job Wonder stamping along at the boy’s heels. “Thank heaven!” exclaimed Madame Dufaur, who was pacing the room. “Thank heaven! My prayer is answered. I was afraid the poor girl was lost to us forover. ” “Where is Monsieur Dufaur—where is Ben and Mrs. Brown? We want to be quick and take a lot of police, or they’ll run away. ” “Bless me, how the dear boy runs on. My husband —why, he was here this minute, but Mr. Brown I have not seen this hour. ” “We can’t wait on him, we must go at once. You come, too. ” “Me! Mo! I cannot go with the police, child; but, yes, tu be sure I will go; why not? To save the poor child, perhaps. ” The door opened at that instant and Monsieur Dufaur stood on the threshold. Madame Dufaur flew toward him with outstretched hands. “She is found—found. ” “Where —where is she?” “Come at once,” said Dick. “Get the police to come along—there’s a lot of them. ” “But where —where is she?” demanded Monsieur Dufaur, looking meanwhile for h:s liat and cane. “Your hat is in my room—your cane is in the dining-room. Oh, we are on our heads this night,” said Madame Dufaur as she placed her hat on her head and glanced in a mirror. “Come, come. ” “Yes, and get the policemen,” said Dick. “Oh, yes, I wilj be sure to have the officers; but just tell me which way we are going. ” Dick gave him the necessary directions as they set out. As they were leaving the house they met the clown and his wife, whose faces were downcast, but on seeing the others they instantly brightened up. “You have heard of her," said Ben. “We are going to rescue her,” said Madame Dufaur. Then Dick was called upon by the clown to relate the facts again briefly. ■ The clown grit his teeth. “We’ll teach them! We’ll make it warm for them before we are through with them!” Meanwhile Monsieur Dufaur had secured a squad of police, or, rather, the officer he took into hio confidence had assembled his fellows ouickly. and then, while they were on the way, a plan es operat’ons was mapped out; each one understood e .actly how the rescue was to be conducted. Meantime fortune smiled upon Ike Jenks. He had no difficulty finding his friend the notary, to whom he explained what he wanted. The notary was thinking of a fee that would swell his month’s receipts largely, and did not scruple in the least as he listened and nodded. He accompanied Jenks to the house Joe was confined in, and was introduced, as Joe was induced to believe, by the exercise of extraordinary strategy. When Ike appeared in the room with the notary, ho was beaming with joy he endeavored to conceal. He realized fully the demand ot the hour. While his bride was under duress — a prisoner, and fearful—it ill becamo him to exhib.t joy; so he pulled on a sober face as he said: “Wei!—this seems a dull sort of marriage, but it will soon be over.” “A mere formality,” said the nogtary in a low tone, designed to reassure her. “Yes —but unavoidable. Well, we are re4dy now; begin,” said Jenks. But to his amazement Joe turned her head aside. The notary looked at Jenks; Jenks looked at the notary, and a scowl settled on his face. “What’s the matter now?” Still Joe was silent. “Why don’t you speak?” “Because I don't want to. ” “But you must now tho notary is here." “I won’t. ” , “You won't! Why?" “I won’t do anything. ” “See here now—there’s something at the bottom of this. You’ve been thinking since I went out, and changed your mind.”

“Yes. * “Well, 1 haven’t chaflge4 mine. IT you don’t Want to go taok where yo* came from, you’ve get to go on with tha marriage ” “I don’t want to get married. * “You must, though. ” “And I say I won’t!” Joe's eyes were flashing now. She confronted him with red cheeks, defiance in every action. “You go on and marry us.” said Ike to his friend. “I can t It takes two to make a bargain. ” Ike whispered in the notary's ear. The notary shook his head. “It is a dangerous business. If she assents, all right. If she refuses—that's the end of it" “Carso you!” exclaimed Jenks, seizing Joe in his rage. He had grasped her wrist and twisted it so that It pained her. "Help! Help!” Joe shrieked. As if in response to her cry, the outer door was burst open and a rush of feet was heard. The next moment the door of the room the notary, Jenks and Joe were in was thrown wide open, and Dick stood before them. Behind him stood two policemen—the same that had been called upon by Job Wondor when he cried, “Stop thief!” Joe rushed forward and grasped Dick’s hands. “I knew you would come; I knew it!” Ike and the notary left the room and found in the outer apartment two other policemen, while two more guarded the entrance. The occupants of the bar-room were silent, sullen, vengeful. They glared at the newcomers—at the officors—but held their peace. Ben Brown and his wife, Monsieur and Madame Dufaur, Job Wonder—these stood in the foreground, and Joe in turn extended her hands to all saying she “never, never could forget their kindness to her.” A policeman tapped Jenks on the shoulder, saying, “Come, we’re ready now.” “Ready 1 What do you mean?” exclaimed Jenks. Then ho said something in a low tone to his companion. “Of course I’ll make no resistance, but 1 warn you all I shall proceed against you for false arrest. And don’t you influence my wife to go away. ” “His wife!” Madame Dufaur elevated her hands. “Yes, my wife,” said Jenks boldly. “She is my lawful wife —here is the certificate.” [to be continued.]