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About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 4, 1904)
THE ILLUSTRATED BEE. 15 would sue htm tor breechi el iroraDw f marriage" "Mother!" eici aimed Peggy, "how can jour . Wlr otr returned Mr. Robeson, va Of the Jelilffes sued for breach of promt onco and recovered very substantial dam ages. "Why not. X should like to knowT Peggy rbIM. "He might so us. mother," ah answered, nnuuascioMsly using the plural. bu We eould hardly aua him. We secat to lame rejected him." "AH because of his aim !atardly trick." retorted Mr. Robeson. And yet Mm, Robe aon, when ah waa not enlaced to thl great match-making business, was oa of the most penfie, most genial, post lady-Hi women in th world. 0Kef never again catered th Robeson house. chieey. K scay b assumed, becaos Ms attentions war absorbed by that very attractive yorag widow. Mr. HaBoweU. Mrs. llellowelt. It may be remarked, was one of th creditor who was paid m faO, although ah did not attend upon th cleat In- question. To return. however, to CKeefe a ad his counterfeit presentment. Smith. CKeefe. totally Ignorant of th fact that Smith had been opening and shutting wp hi saf merely to paaa the tha away, finally en tered th presence of Smith. "Now. SwiRh," h said, to a bwatncHh way, for bis scheme was nrw' about to de velop, -well Bet down to facts. Iv teen lucky atne I't been away, and rm gator " to enter Into a coaipactwKh you. I'm going to trust you by George but to first thin I want to know I art about tt. I want to know what's been coins; on. Tou see I'm treating yoa whiter than you've treated me. but 1 think that I can make some money out of yew. and yen can mak " .some at the same time, and you're a e'ever . sort of fellow; and J. want you to treat me square. Tell ma what there Is to tell." Thus said O'Keefe, with a heart fuil of gall. Smith thought for a moment. What he wanted was time and opportunity. He old not see how tt would mak aay differ eirc In his chances If he, wer honest with this man. Smith began at th beginning and finished only at th end.' not forgetting even his Utile affair with Miss Mcrg-iret Robeson and her moCter. and with th lit tle widow, Mrs. HaJJowell. CKeefe, who at various portloos of this Interview was white-hot with rage, neverthelecs retained . his presence of mind and held his peace, no added up a few more mile things to Wa sco re against th fellow, that was alL "Welt." ho sold finally, "lli admit on thing, and that hrthat yow haven't spent so much of my money as I wouVt bay don ' if I'd been home, and yon got me out of that big steel company contract in good" shape. It's n thing-1 wanted to get out of all along. I wouldn't bar known probably how to deat with th thing in Just that way; and If they had thought I was good for It. they never would hare let np on mV Bo I owe yon a good tar, yon a." "And youTl get It. too," remarked to himself nnder his breatfc. . "And now. ha finally went on, TTI open aiy budget. I havent been so far off as you might think, bat I've- been far enough away t get bold of a good thing, J can tell you that, Tt been down n th Island of Swat." ' "The Island of Swat!" said Constitutional Smith, -where tha devil is thatr- "Thai's Just , th point," nstursad tha other. "It's easy enough to get to If yoa know how!. But It isn't th getting tbero that's such an Interesting cart of It though It's interesting enough, too-, at that. It's what you get after you get there.". He reached Into bis pocket and drew forth a amall bag-. This he haaded orer. Smith opened It and examined ita content. "What Is itr demanded CKeef. Smith knew. "It's gold." h said. -gold.', for sure." ' . "Right." answered O'Kceft. "I rtmck over 134,000 worth of dust down there in less than six weeks, that's what I did, and I brought It horn with me, Tou see." b added modestly. "I bad to tear myself away before I was through." They wer stuck on m down there. In tact," b added, "I was tha Akoond down there," Th Akoond," repeated 'Smith, "who's he?" "He's the ' king the king," answered O'Keefe, "he's the king. I was the king. I was the Akoond of Jlwat. so I was. To be sure, they called be Oh Keefe, Akoond of Swat" ' "Weltr safd Smith. "Wen," answered th other, bere'f what I'm getting at. My point Is this. That same Island is a good thing. There la th gold 1 got there, to th first plaoe (ha did not mention th fact that ht sample bag was reHo of bis Klondike days and noth ing more), and there are a lot of other things. Th pospte there 'don't like whit men much, and ..whit men havent ever had a good chance with the isle. Bui they Bked ma ali right I did a wbole let for 'thorn. And they'd like you, to, be cause yon look like roe. They would think you wer me. Ton would be O'Keefe, the Akoond off Swat. Now wait I had this thing to mind. "Ton know pretty wen that there's" no plao to th known world whew th cops won't be ow your heels If you pea as Smith. That's sure. How. th anestloo Is. whether by making us of this fact. I u trust you. enougb--you caa tmet me, of tuant to , form partnership with you. We can do this, Tou go down to the Island of Swat, for Jn stance. I'll show you bow to get there. Tou stay there for, say six months or so. TouH be known ve.-ywhere as O'Keefe. TouTl get nil you can out of th Island gold and very thing elsa. It's God's own country down there. Then youH com back and I'll go down. In this way yon can escape th police. In th second place, t can always have a hold on you, because you ar Smith, and. to th third place, both of ns will get . richer and richer, and tbero being two of vs. there won't bo so ' much monotony about it. What do you say about your keeping- close to this hones a day or two and then sail ing away, to become th Akoond of Swat, th king; chT" NoW ' Smith was no chicken. And there)" was Just a suspicion of Insincerity about CKeefe's manner that he did not relish. But as he thought th matter over and ns h contemplated O'Keefe. k concluded that O'Keefe was sincere after alL It. was a rather Strang proposition to com from s man who had been shanghaied but, after an, there was a likelihood that he was telling th truth, and tt he wer, then It might be considered from all aides as a good, sound business proposition. Th more he thought about It th mora he liked it. He knew perfectly wen that he could not escap from Monroe, or from th United States. He knew that CKeefe' r en of his men had merely to call up headquarters and th gam would b up. He knew that he had nothing: to lose and everything to gain. And CKeef seemed to be honest. And If ft was some kind of a gam he would know tt surely before be started off. Time was essential to him, anyway time and opportunity. If he re fused he knew what would happen. His end was near at hand. He could "see his finish." If he acquiesced ir he accepted the prop- ositton, then he would hove time and a " chance of escap If -the worst cam to th worst: and if It did not. and CKeef was square, be could lire for a time safe ly in obscurity upon th Isl of Swat. Ha held out-his hand. - , - "TO go. you," said Constitutional Smith : to BilUngton O'Keefe. , - BUllnzton O'Keefe smiled. On th sur face of this smile was on of extreme good nature. ActuaIIy.lt was a smile of the moel sardonic kind. "You're a wis man, Bmith, he returned, "for (I'm God's own country and nothing less. That's Just what th Island Of Swat , to God's own country for fair." From which it might be inferred that upon this occasion to particular Mr. , CKeefe had determined to push --'-ir to th annala of mendacity ctoso for first ptaea, "That being settled," continued O'Keefe, "we'll discus the details. They did thl for upward of an hour. Th more Smith learned of th schem . th better b liked ft. Smith, the-trecg-erm man and swindler, was- being taken In, but b did not know' It. With dacger at Ms heels, safety before him. and th dulcet tones of Mr. Blllingtoa O'Keefe to his ear. b becam an optimist bis way seemed clear. Mr. BilUngton CKeef was overjoyed. II was- staking bis furore ' woridTy happiness upon th accomplishment of the object now before him. Km knew that he could not lay bis head upon his piUow before he had put to operation his great scheme for revenge. ' - VlnaUy, when it was well, into th night . b tang a befU A man appeared. "Bring up n bottle of ld port and a bottle of brandy and a siphon of carbonic," b commanded, "I've got some glaasear bere." H had. Behind him on th mantel there stood two good sized glasses. lie had r taken care to place them there with Is own "' hand. He ' had surreptitiously kept his eye upon those glasses. - Each at this Junctur was apparently empty. Th port and th brandy arrived. Mr. Const 14 utkmal Smith wa a moderate toper. So was Mr. BlUIngton O'Keefe. 'Port or ' brandy 7" said BHIlngton O'Keefe. "Both," answered Smith with, alacrity, -"Xort first; brandy afterwards." "Good," raid BilUngton O'Keefe. Ha poured out a glass of port and handed it to Smith. Then he filled his own. Smith took a alp of wine. Great Scott r ho exclaimed, "this Is th finest yet" 'Best rou can get," returned OTCeefa, "and what'" more, I only order it up on the mosf Important occasions. Well, here's to your success In the gold fields of Swat.' "Amen," said Smith. O'Keefe drained his glass and poured out another. Smith did the samo. O'Keefe anxiously wstched Smith. Smith flung- an ear to th winds. There was something In this port that made him careless of any danger.' For tha Srat tlm la many days b felt abso hitStf; safe. Thoy finished th bottle, ."Now for th brandy," said Bllllngtoni 0Keofo. On another smalt shelf. Intended for bTio-a-brao, wer two small glasses, ' ' CKoefe produced theso fur tha brandy. H tilled om half full and passed tt over. Smith, endJenly seised Writer a deetro to drink desire which on o flier occasions he wax always abfo to, repress took tha - glass sad drank ' Its oonteata And than th .long looked for vnt happerfM. Smith's eyes became glassy, his atterano became thick, bis body swayed from sid to side. Finally, with a weary sigh, ho lipped down Into his chair and bis bead fell on his breast. " . II was overcomo not with win or li quor but overcome with -th effect of a small quantity of colorless, odorless and almost tasteless liquid which CKeef had placed beforehand to tb bottom of each of Smith's glasses. Co net tv tional Smith, sOwng-arin maiv who had often.-administered th sama dose to others, was overcom with his own weapons and ho had not recognized U. Ho wa hoist with bis own petard. "Th doper." said BUliogton O'Keefn shaking up Smith with the to of his boot, to so if h was completely gone, "tb dopes for ottc to his Uf has been doped.". Ho stood there and took his left band to hi right and shook tt hard. His mouth gaped with silent laughter. "Every dog has bis day," said Billing ton CKeafe, "and 1 am havtog; mine. And so la be." But O'Keefe was not satisfied. Ho pro duced a con and aom chloroform and hekb th con for somo momenta over the Boa and mouth f tb unconscious stron arm man. . At last h was assured that his vieitlm was safely unconscious. Then be stripped him of bis outer clot bee, rolled np his sleeves and bared Bmith'a breast. This ovpooed th Identifying tattoo marks to th light. CKeef smiled, and drew from his pocket a small roll. It was sticking: plaster. Beginning with th left arm, h carefully covered th upper sid of th forearm with th strips of plaster. Then be covered the tattoo marks on th chest. Then on the right arm. When he had finished the man upon the floor might have had "BilUngton O'Keefe" upon his arm and a colled serpent upon, his chest for all anyone could tell. "I don't believe." said BilUngton O'Keefe to himself, "that hell be able to tear that tuff off In time to escape the avalanche. And by the time It wears off It wUl be too late." ' . ' He left tha room a minute and returned with a huge bundle. The bundle contained a portion of the original wearing aprarel of Constitutional Smith - and some unim portant ; additions . thereto. . Hastily he dressed -' the unconscious Smith in these clothes ragged and travel worn as they . ' were. . He did sot stop there. He took a pen and a piece of paper and wrote sll over It the name of Heseklah Smith r.nd Constitutional Smith. Finally his task was over. Then be straightened up and poured out a generous amount of brandy tn his own glass. . "Here's luck to you. Constitutional t aid, "the same luck and more that I had myself." He opened th door and two men stopped In two of his fqrmer trusty servants. H bad pledged them to secrecy. CKeef pointed to the figur on tha ground, "Everything's all ready," he announced; 'have you fellows, got the four-wheeler down, below?". They had, and said as much. Stooping, they lifted Smith from th floor and swung - him "between thorn, "H was heavy and O'Keefe helped them now and then upon the way. At last they reached th ground floor. , Beneath the port cochere in- th. shadow a carriage was waiting. The three . men bundled their burden to to the carriage and all three. Including O'Keefe. got in. "Mr. O'Keefe," said the driver, "where hall I drive to?" O'Keefe, whispering, gave Mm directions In detail. Th driver sodded. O'Keefe shut tha carriage door. The driver started up his horses with a low chirp, and the carriage rolled away. As they "turned up th first street a clock truck 1 o'clock. "We'll be Just In time." said BilUngton O'Keefe. Two hours later three men stood fa that little den of BilUngton CKeefe's. O'Keefe, with a grin of triumph on hl face, poured out three glasses of brandy. "Here good luck and good night, boys!" Be exclaimed, to us and to Mr. Constitu tional Smith." BilUngton O'Keefe was a fair man. H was a square man. As a .rule, he bore ill will to none. But he was a fighter to th backbone, to the best of bis ability, was BilUngton O'Keefe. And when he bit back he bit back hard. x CHAPTER Xllt A Recognition That Cnana To tint.. Constitutional Smith cam to himself en tb deck of a sailer which was- standliur well out to sea. Th braes wa blowing upon hint and th sun was- shining In his face. He opened bis eyta and looked squarely Into th eye of th man who bent over him. Upon the face of this man there was a grin of devilish triumph. As he looked at this man. Constitutional Bmlth started. He did not know exactly why be dtd so, bat tfier was something to the man's faoe that stirred his memory. He felt tbat heitrast know Tolm. n strug gled to a sitting posture, and then he dis covered that hts feef wer tightly bound together. "What th oevir CMsT asked Cbnstira Uonal Smith, stnt looking- wfrh strange) earnest as s tafe th fa eff tb other mat. "Who brought m bar I" a want OA. 'Hb looked down at bis clothes. They, alss had a familiar appearance. Suddenly he struck bla hand against his bead. ' "By George." be said, "I thought I knrsf you. You're Captain Jenks of the Chtae maran," . Captala Jenks licked his chops wiUS ghouJUb) glee. "You're foolin'." b sakr , "fooUnV m again." lie tapped his priaoneo j on the forehead with his foot. Then he) laughed out loud, and slapped bis thigh, "So you've com back to me," h ex ;, claimed, with a wild wboopt "you've com back, ah? Tou. BlUlngtea, CKeofe." "BilUngton O'Keefe!" said Smith, taring; "I'm Constitutional Smith-that's what 1 am; Constitutional Smith and you're Caa tarn Jenks, that's what." ' 'Captain. Jenks Ufted his foot again and kicked Smith In the cheat Captain Jenks;' be it said, was the man for whose presence) In Monroe CKeafe bad waited before con fronting Smith that night. "Tou son of a sea oook." said Captala Jenks, "you're BUUngtoa O'Keefe, that' what yoa are." (To bo Continued.) Carpenter's Letter (Continued from Fage Twelve.) ' lege, although his father might possibtw have been able to have furnished, all tha money. Said the senator: "I was brought up to think that work was a part of the doty of man. Every ana in our community worked, and every bow expected to do his share. I learned all kinds of farm work and also how to hand! tools. .Indeed, I was so skilful with tool ' that I got good wage as a carpenter by working Saturdays during my col leg course. My pay was $1.23 a day. which waa about equal to $3 now. I felt that I ought to pay as much as I could toward my col lege expenses, although I suppose my father could have paid all." "Ten me something about your college days, senator," I said. "I went to school at the Ohio Waileyan university at Delaware, which was situated about twenty miles from my home. A bay from an adjoining farm went with me and we rode thera in a two-horse wsgon, car rylng some furniture, some books anda "goodly supply of eatables. When we ar rived we looked about for a room, and toon -found one In a second story of one of th - houses of the town, and rented it. It cost $1.25 each iweek. We did our own cooking, a large part of our supplies coming from our homes, being sent In by "wagons. Wa bod plenty of bread which our mothers baked, and we learned how to make mush. One of our staples during the winter was buckwheat cakes. Wo usually had soma one start tbo batter and then by adding to It from day to day wa eould keep It aUva, so that we had fresh buckwheat cakes very morning. This rosde it ooet us very -little and still we lived fairly well." Senator Fairbanks remained at Delaware until be graduated. The expenses for the first college term were or less than M per week. One of bis own sons has sine graduated at Delaware and another at Tale. I venture tb lost tw have each pent more In one year than be did to big whole college course. In talking with . Senator Fairbanks K asked him If be did not regret that be had not been able to go to Tale or Harvard or somo other of tbe more famous colleges. He repUed: - "I doubt whether I should have been bet tered thereby. Tbe small college bag many advantage over the large one. Ita - tudents come more- etosoly to contact with their processors, they get tt know each other and they form stronger friend ships, which are of advantage In after life. There Is more earnest work done In th mall colleges, education Is a mors serious business there, and upon tha whole I doubt whether I should have gained by Ctng to one of tbe large eastern schools." "Do ydfa think a college education pays?" "Yea Every boy who can should go to college. Tbe training there will develop him and make him bettor able to grappls with the strenuous Ufa and th great prcb kens of th day." Senator Fabbaaks bad a enrtoas expert nee In Lancaster. Mass, a year or so ago. Bo bad to make a speech there to cenneo tlon with George Frfsbto Hoar, Henry Cabot Iodge and! other descendants of old Mew Kngland famines. When bis time earns to address the audience be was aur , prised that th chairman did not Intro duce him, and be was afterward told that there wer so many of bis ancestors burled to tb cemetery outside that he needed no tntrodactJen to that community. Senator Fatrhamrs comes erlgfnany from Jonathan Fayerbenks. a Furttan, who earn to Boston about sixteen years after th ad Tent of the Mayflower at Plymouth Bock. From Beaten old Jonathan went to Ded bam and built a home there, which, I am told, has sinew been acquired by tbe Mas- ' sachusetts Historloal society. From DeaV ' . ham some Cht oVeaceadaat went to Lan caster and others moved off to Vermont. Senator FaJrbanks father waa bar In - Verm ant and began bis life work as a band to a wool? a 'mill at Ixmcll. "Wbaa bo was M he moved west to Ohio and worked there for ZJ cents T3y. J'AANK a CARFBNTZR.