Tudor Jenks

“ This party, Jackson, had made a free and lavish use of the messenger-service as an aid to his courtship of a delectable maiden whom we must fictitiously call Miss Anderson. Notes were frequent, bouquets not rare, and small, costly things from the jeweller’s far from unknown. Every call meant a tip, many were good for two. ”

“ After learning of the purpose to which the tips were to be devoted, I did my duty like a man and took a keen interest in the state of the Sociable’s finances. For a while all went on swimmingly, and we both were elated. Suddenly I learned from my friend Michael that there was a dark cloud on the horizon.
The trouble, it seems, was with Box No. 914S. Mike assured me that a long time a call from 9148 had meant a “socking good tip.” ”

“ He isn’t really a Dago, you know, but that’s what we call him. He has big black eyes, an’ curly black hair, an’ is a kind of thin-faced chap. Smart? Well, I guess yes!
“‘Notes?’ says the new boy. ‘One, two—three each, makes six. They was six notes.’
“‘Gewhillikins!’ says the Dago. ‘That’s trouble, sure. An’ we had 9148 down good for four plunks. Say, Softy, they’ll call again as soon as they can catch their breath. Whose turn is it?’
“It was me next on the bench, an’ so I sings out: ‘Mine.’
“‘You’re not up to this,’ says the Dago. ‘This takes a S. Holmes. Mike, you let me go. ”