The Argosy, January 1907 — page 72: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

204 is for the plaintiff’s lawyer-to go into court and declare that the defendant in the suit is about to skip the State. “A body attachment is issued then, and the sheriff shuts the poor devil up. In either case, I believe, the plaintiff has to pay the defendant’s board in the county jail. ‘“ By Jove, Wib! what’s the matter with you? You look as white as death.” ““I—I guess I'll get out in the air. Tha—thanks!”’ murmured Wib, and made a break for the door. He ran to shake off Blossom’s friend- ly pursuit. He hurried around the cor- ner into a dark and almost deserted street. There he broke into hysterical sobs, and ran on, wringing his hands, the hot tears coursing down his cheeks. Fear of the shame that menaced him had finally broken his spirit completely. Fe crept home like a wounded dog and hid himself away in his little room. Iiis travail of soul was as great a tor- ment that night as though he faced execution on the morrow. It was the young fellow’s pride be- ing crucified, and that, while it lasts, is as hard a thing to bear as a man of Wib’s temperament ever meets in life. In the morning he knew what he must do. There was one chance remaining. Te must see Lomark and beg a respite. Otherwise, he knew that the tailor’s lawyers would find some means of dis- gracing him beyond repair. 3 He knew, vaguely, that a good lawyer could probably save him from the catas- trophe that threatened. But Wib had barely car-fare left out of his salary; he could not engage counsel to look out for his interests. He was too wretched to go to work, and Lomark, he knew, would be at his store early. But when he came in sight of the tailor’s place he was in such a nervous tremor that he had to walk up and down the block several times to get control of himself. Every moment he put the interview off increased his distaste for it; he feared his last atom of courage would evaporate if he did not present himself before the tailor instantly. So it was that he rushed into the shop like a per- son whose mind was affected and de- manded to see the proprietor. THE ARGOSY. The clerks stared at him, and one went slowly in search of Lomark. Wib had to endure the observation of the others while he waited. Their grins and whispers (for they ail knew him and his business with the tailor) did more in helping the young man gain control of himseH than anything else. A black rage began to be distilled in his heart and mind. He clenched his hands until the nails bit into the palms. He could have seized the first and near- est weapon and run amuck among those hatefully grinning fellows! When Lomark sauntered up, twirling his waxed mustache and smiling uncer- tainly, Wilbur Harris was as cold as ice and in a dangerous mood. There was no fear of his breaking down before his persecutor; his nerve was quite recov- ered. “Mr. Lomark,” -he began, and the evenness of his voice surprised him— “Mr. Lomark, I am informed by your lawyers that you have ebtained a judg- ment in the city court against me for the amount of your bill and costs. ‘““T have always intended to pay you this bill, and intend to do so now—as soon as I can. Your recording a judg- ment against me will not help me do this—it may retard me, in fact, if my employers hear of it; but I hope you will go no further, and be patient until IT am in a position to settle.” While Wib was speaking Mr. Lo- mark’s appearance had vastly changed. His sallow face flushed, and his little eyes sparkled with rage. Now he stepped close to the young man and fair- ly hissed his reply into Wib’s face— with an emphasis that forced the young man back a step. “Patient! Vait! I’ll not vait a min- ute longer than the law says I must. I’ll get satisfaction out of you—yes! It is not money I vant—I vill revenge me meinself for your insults. You dog!” He spat, in his hateful foreign man- ner, upon the floor at Wib’s feet. The man’s face was so devilish, and his in- sulting words and manner so stirred the boy’s rage, that had not two of the clerks rushed between them he would have seized Lomark’s skinny throat and squeezed his breath from his body. comichook (E@)