Detective Bob Bridger — page 110: what you’re looking at

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

DETECTIVE BOB BRIDGER. 103 As he did so he carelessly exhibited a goodly roll of bills, which ‘‘ Jack, the Fork,” noted. ‘And now, be the way,” said the ‘“‘roper,” using the cockney drawl. ‘‘Hang it all! it’s me, me friend, who’s for: getting, now. Let me see—what is your first name ?” ‘‘Never mind: that—hic—me friend,” was the answer. ‘‘T’d rather not say, if it’s the same to you. You see, I’ve had a trifle of ill-luck lately. Not broke—hic—but— but—” ‘But what, me friend 2” ‘‘Y’d—hic—between you and J, be willing to raise the wind in any sort of a half safe way.” This was spoken in a whisper. ‘‘Then shake!” returned the ‘‘roper,” grasping the tipsy man’s hand in a very enthusiastic manner. ‘‘You are me — friend, and | am yours. We’ve met be chance, ’tis true; but I have a noble racket on hand, and I’m thinkin’ you’ll find we’ve met just right. Pst! landlord, two beers.” The fat landlord waddled toward the table, bearing the fluid called for. The drunken wharfmen near by were making some of the most hideous grimaces ever witnessed, to the amusement of the landlady, in their efforts at demolishing the sand- _ wiches, but were withal, very quiet for ‘‘lushes.” In payment for the ordered beers ‘‘ Jack, the Fork,” ten- dered a crisp new ten-dollar bill. The fat lager vender objected, eyed the bill suspiciously, and asked his patron if he had not smaller change. ‘‘Oh—hic—blow the animated sausage!” exclaimed the Englishman, delving into his pockets. ‘‘Let me pay for it.” ‘Not atall. I always make it a rule to hold me end up as a gentleman,” returned the ‘‘roper,” grandly. ‘‘Can’t you send that bill out to a bank, and have it changed 2” ‘Vell, if 1 must. I must,” returned the clumsy beer ven- der, shambling away. ‘Here, Christina, go by de money proker on de corner and get shange.”’ Christina did as commanded by her liege lord, and soon returned with the required change. In the interim the tipsy Englishman had ventured to in- quire the nature of the ‘‘racket” proposed. ‘“When we drink our beer, and. I get my change, I’ll take you where you can see for yourself,” returned the ‘‘roper.” ‘Soon after the two men quitted the saloon arm in arm, and *‘ Jack, the Fork,” led toward Christie street. Two drunken laborers followed them. <S Eo Eomichboo