Mr. Wheeler

“ Wheeler, that is making up to me, do you see, against e’er a boy, or hobbledehoy, in all Eton, London, or Christendom, let the other be who he will.
Enter Wheeler.
Wheeler. A fine day, Mr. Newington.
Landlord. A fine day, Mr. Wheeler.
Wheel. And I hope, for your sake, we may have as fine a day for the Montem to-morrow. It will be a pretty penny in your pocket! Why, all the world will be here; and (looking round at the jellies, etc.) so much the better for them; for here are good things enough, and enough for them. And here’s the best thing of all, the good old tankard still; not empty, I hope. ”

“ Wheeler took Claude out to the fields, where Ralph was directing the harvesters. They watched the binder for a while, then went over to look at the haystacks and alfalfa, and walked along the edge of the cornfield, where they examined the young ears. Mr. Wheeler explained and exhibited the farm to Claude as if he were a stranger; the boy had a curious feeling of being now formally introduced to these acres on which he had worked every summer since he was big enough to carry water to the harvesters. ”

“ I didn't want to go without my two children, and he consented to take them; we came to Philadelphia by the cars; stopped at Mr. Sully's, Mr. Wheeler's father-in-law, a few moments; then went to the steamboat for New York at 2 o'clock, but were too late; we went into Bloodgood's Hotel; Mr. Wheeler went to dinner; Mr. Wheeler had told me in Washington to have nothing to say to colored persons, and if any of them spoke to me, to say I was a free woman traveling with a minister; we staid at Bloodgood's till 5 o'clock; Mr. Wheeler kept his eye on me all the time except when he was at dinner ”

“ He took up the wet clothes and, cautiously leaving the scullery, crossed the passage to the parlour, where Mrs. Wheeler, a confirmed invalid, was lying on a ramshackle sofa, darning socks. Mr. Wheeler coughed to attract her attention, and with an apologetic expression of visage held up a small, pink garment of the knickerbocker species, and prepared for the worst.
“They've never shrunk like that?” said Mrs. Wheeler, starting up.
“They have,” said her husband, “all by itself,” he added, in hasty self-defence.
“You've had it in the soda,” said Mrs. Wheeler, disregarding. ”

“ Something steady on shore is the thing.”
“I don't know,” said the tactless Mr. Wheeler. “I think if I was a gal I should like to marry a sailor; there's something romantic about them. I often wish I'd been a sailor.”
“Then you wouldn't 'ave 'ad me,” said the lady from the sofa, grimly.
Mr. Wheeler sighed, but whether at the thought of what he might have lost or what he had gained, cannot be safely determined. Still in a morbid mood, he relapsed into silence, leaving Fraser to glance anxiously to where Poppy, pale and pretty, sat listening to the clumsy overtures of Mr. Bob Wheeler. ”

“ Wheeler shortly.
Mr. Wallis rolled his eye at the sun. "I can terrapin along up there this evenin'. After dinner," he added pointedly.
Mr. Tubs Wheeler spoke accusingly: "Now, young man, you just natchelly mosey right along out of this!"
"Why, Mis-ter Wheeler! An old-timer like you, and grudge a body a meal's victuals."
"Meal's victuals be blowed!" said Wheeler wrathful! "I ain't going to have you making up to my girl."
"Oh-h! I see-ee! Gertie?" said Spud. He looked up, frank-eyed. "Say, that's a good idea. I'll go see her right away now!" ”

“ When Claude reached the kitchen, his mother was sitting at one end of the breakfast table, pouring weak coffee, his brother and Dan and Jerry were in their chairs, and Mahailey was baking griddle cakes at the stove. A moment later Mr. Wheeler came down the enclosed stairway and walked the length of the table to his own place. He was a very large man, taller and broader than any of his neighbours. He seldom wore a coat in summer, and his rumpled shirt bulged out carelessly over the belt of his trousers. ”

“ Louis Wheeler slunk away, deciding that he had made a great mistake in setting down his Montana acquaintance as an easy victim.
"I didn't think he'd get on to my little game so quick," he reflected. "He's sharper than he looks,"
Rodney took breakfast with Mr. Pettigrew the next morning. When breakfast was over, the Montana man said:
"I'm going to make a proposal to you, Rodney. How much pay did you get at your last place?" ”

“ II Claude and his mules rattled into Frankfort just as the calliope went screaming down Main street at the head of the circus parade. Getting rid of his disagreeable freight and his uncongenial companions as soon as possible, he elbowed his way along the crowded sidewalk, looking for some of the neighbour boys. Mr. Wheeler was standing on the Farmer's Bank corner, towering a head above the throng, chaffing with a little hunchback who was setting up a shell-game. To avoid his father, Claude turned and went in to his brother's store. ”

“ You are a polished city gentleman and I am an ignorant miner from Montana."
Louis Wheeler looked complacent when he was referred to as a polished city gentleman.
"You do yourself injustice, my dear Pettigrew," he said in a patronizing manner. "You do indeed. You may not be polished, but you are certainly smart, as you have shown by accumulating a fortune." ”

“ Under the influence of C. W. Wheeler the Times became an influence in the community and in Walla Walla and Columbia counties. The paper continued under the management of Mr. Wheeler until 1900 when he leased the plant to two of his sons—E. L. and Guy Wheeler—so that he might enjoy a well-earned rest from the grind of newspaper work and take up the work of traveling lecturer for the Woodmen of the World fraternity, that he might be able to fulfill his desire to travel in the West extensively. ”

“ The door opened, and Harry Gilbert entered.
He came forward, not appearing to notice the visitor, and placed in Mr. Wheeler’s hand a scrap of paper, on which he had written in pencil:
“The man with you is one of the robbers. I can identify him. I met him as I was going out. The two detectives are in the entry. I thought it best not to bring them in till I had a chance to tell you this.”
Mr. Wheeler’s eyes lighted up as he read this scrap, and he looked approvingly at Harry.
“Quite right,” he said. Then, turning to Vernon, he continued: “I don’t think we can come to terms. ”

“ Wheeler. “You quiet ones are generally the worst.”
“I am sorry,” murmured Poppy; “I did not mean to be rude, or ungrateful.”
“You're very kind,” said Mrs. Wheeler. “Is Mr. Fraser up in London?”
“I'm sure I don't know,” said the girl, pausing at the door.
“Sure to be, though,” said Mrs. Wheeler, significantly; “you won't 'ave to starve, my dear. But, there, you know that—some people's pride is a funny thing.”
Miss Tyrell regarded her for a moment in silence and then quitted the room, coming back again from half-way up the stairs to answer a knock at the door. ”

“ One had to learn the lessons of life. Nevertheless, it made her a little sad to see him so settled and indifferent at twenty-three.
After watching from the window for a few moments, she turned to the telephone and called up Claude's house, asking Enid whether she would mind if he came there for dinner. "Mahailey and I get lonesome with Mr. Wheeler away so much," she added.
"Why, no, Mother Wheeler, of course not." Enid spoke cheerfully, as she always did. "Have you any one there you can send over to tell him?" ”

“ Wheeler is active, Mr. Oldfield is passive. He has not an idea. He is a mere negative.”
“Ah, that is because he is out of his groove. A smattering of law is not enough here. It wants a smattering of human nature too.” ”

“ Wheeler read Bassett's letter, threw it into the fire, and kept it there with the poker.
“Lucky I called,” said he, dryly. “Saved you a thousand pounds or so. You must not write a letter without me.”
“What, am I to sit still and be insulted? You're a pretty friend.”
“I am a wise friend. This is a more serious matter than you seem to think.”
“Libel?”
“Of course. Why, if Sir Charles had consulted me, I could not have dictated a better letter. It closes every chink a defendant in libel can creep out by. Now take your pen and write to Mr. Hardwicke.” ”

“ Janet, some unknown fear tugging at her heart, hung back and spoke to Mr. Youde.
“Is it perfectly safe to start the trip back?” she asked.
“I guess so. That’s a powerful bus. But you’d better start now before the wind gets bad. This snow is going to drift like fury before morning. I expect we’ll be blockaded for a couple of days.”
Janet rejoined the girls in the room where they had left their coats. A horn sounded outside and they hastened to don their wraps. The floodlights in the yard flashed on and the group, bidding the Youdes cheery goodnights, hastened out to the bus. ”

“ Bradley, who had been listening to the proceedings in amused silence. "Do you happen to know how far Cherry Corners is from here?"
"Very far?" asked Billie.
"A whole day's ride, that's all," their father answered.
"Say, Dad," cried Chet suddenly. "What do you suppose the old place is worth?"
"I can't say, Chet," answered Mr. Bradley. "Being so far from good roads and the railroad, I am afraid the land is not worth much." ”

“ And run they did, presenting themselves a minute later, rather red in the face and out of breath, before a very much amused janitor.
"Hello," he cried, his twinkling eyes under their shaggy brows lighting with pleasure as he looked at the girls. "Are you young ladies tryin' to catch a train, or what?"
"Oh, no, no," cried Violet eagerly. "We were just trying to catch you,
Mr. Heegan."
"Oh-ho! An' it's mighty flattered I am," said Mr. Heegan, his Irish brogue coming to the fore. "An' what, if I might be askin' you—"
"It's a book we left here," Billie broke in quickly. ”

“ Be there any more in the car wid yez?"
"I don't think so," replied Mr. Bradley, surprised to find that his voice was trembling and that the hand he raised to wipe his forehead shook like a leaf. If it had been himself alone who had been in danger—but the young folks!
As they descended to the platform the girls looked about them with wide, frightened eyes, while their hearts pounded suffocatingly.
The faces of the boys were white, but they plunged immediately into the work of rescue. Men came running from the farms about. ”

“ Wheeler called "Brother Weldon" had come out from Lincoln, preaching in little towns and country churches, and recruiting students for the institution at which he taught in the winter. He had convinced Mrs. Wheeler that his college was the safest possible place for a boy who was leaving home for the first time.
Claude's mother was not discriminating about preachers. She believed them all chosen and sanctified, and was never happier than when she had one in the house to cook for and wait upon. She made young Mr. ”

“ Bradley. "The bank——" But Billie would not let him finish.
"Oh, Daddy, let's hurry!" she cried; then as her chums stared at her in surprise she rushed over to the trunk and slammed the lid shut. "What are you waiting for?" she cried, stamping her foot impatiently as she turned to face them. "If you want to stand around looking foolish, all right. But I'm going home."
"Say! wait a minute," cried Teddy, stopping her as she started from the room. "Perhaps your father——"
"I was going to suggest," said Mr. Bradley, looking at his watch, "that we catch the eight o'clock train for North Bend. ”

“ D'ye think I would sell it, if it'll be of any use to the gal? No; she is [Pg 35] perfectly welcome to that and to a gallon, had I as much in my possession."
"Nay, Harry," said Mary sweetly, noticing the wistful glances the old tar cast at the bottle, even while delivering his magnanimous speech.
"Mr. Turk shall keep his liquor. I will not need it! See, I am quite strong!" and she rose briskly to her feet.
"Mr. Turk," muttered the old sailor, "that Mr. which I ain't heard for many a year, sounds mighty queer. It's too respectful to sich an old hulk as me, Miss. ”

“ Pettigrew appeared to be sleeping soundly.
"It's all right" thought Louis Wheeler. "Now where is the bag of gold?"
It was not in open view, but a little search showed that the owner had put it under the bed.
"He isn't very sharp," thought Wheeler. "He is playing right into my hands. Door unlocked, and bag of gold under the bed. He certainly is a very unsuspicious man. However, that is all the better for me. Really there isn't much credit in stealing where all is made easy for you." ”

“ Bradley. "We don't want an accident."
"Oh, but we've got to catch that thief!" wailed Billie, hoping each time they rounded a bend in the road to see their quarry just ahead. "He may have got too much of a start——"
"Don't worry," Teddy shouted back. "No start will help a flivver against a car like this. Say, but she's a beauty! Just listen to that engine!" But Billie was in no mood to listen to anything except the jingle of queer old coins in a shabby old trunk. Then suddenly there came a yell from Teddy and an exclamation from Mr. Bradley. ”

“ Fritz replied; "but der virst one vot attempted it didn't make so much success."
"No; but that ain't saying you'll have as big luck next time. You see, his honor, Mr. Greyville, owns most of the property hereabouts, an' he's as big feeling as a duke, and won't allow no one around 'cept what bows to his will." [76]
"Vel, ve vil see apoud dot," Fritz muttered. "I dinks dey don'd vas make mooch bulldozing me. I vant to ask you von question—don'd this man Greyville be Captain Gregg, der smuggler?" ”