“WELCOME THE TRAVELLER”

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 October 1939, Page 10

“WELCOME THE TRAVELLER”

PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT. COPYRIGHT.

By

ARTHUR HARDY.

CHAPTER XVIII. Dan Shelton signed articles of agreement for a return with McGinty within a fortnight of the first contest, and Dan at once started on light training. The cut above his eye had healed, leaving a wide scar, but the place seemed sound again. At the same time Mark Blissard engaged Robert Berry to fight an opponent yet to be named on the night Dan fought his second fight with McGinty. Daniel Shelton asked for more money for Robert, and five hundred pounds was the sum agreed upon plus ififty pounds for training expenses. The arrangement necessitated a visit to London, and the day after their return Robert drove the farm car into the town and called at Adam Lawley's office.

Adam Lawley eyed him attentively. He could detect a change in Robert Berry. Robert looked bigger, stronger, his always good-humoured face was masterful, more resolute in expression. “What’s your news, Robert?” asked the solicitor.

Berry told him. “H’m. So you will get five hundred pounds for your next fight, eh?” said Lawley. “You are moving up, Robert. Tansworth is proud of you. There is a lot of money in the ring for the stars to make.” The solicitor’s eyes brightened. “Do you know how much Tom Shelton and Jack Randall fought for at Hawthorn Bottom, using their bare fists, in 1819? One hundred pounds a side and it was their backer's money. Poor Shelton. He was a man of eccentric propensities, illiterate and rough, though I’d hesitate to say that in front of Daniel. Though he doesn’t come from the same branch of the family, anyway. Tom, the bareknuckle pugilist, was an inveterate gambler. What money -he won by hard and punishing labour he threw qway on the racecourse, or the gaming table. Once he fought a police officer, who prevented him from committing suicide, and when he was tried for me assault he said in defence that a man had the right to hang himself.’ He died on June 21, 1830, at the Ship, in Montague Court, Bishopsgate Street, by taking a dose of prussic acid. He was in his forty-third year.” Lawley saw Robert’s face harden. "Jack Randall was equally unfortunate, Robert. Most of the fighting men of their time saw a lot of the rough side of life and after taking a tremendous beating stretched their weary limbs on no bed of roses. After he had left the ring The Nonpariel became a publican and he could never say no to a drop of spirits. He was a martyr to gout, suffered from a disorganisation of the liver and a fatty degeneration of the, heart, and he died at the Hole in the Wall, in Chancery Lane, at tne age of thirty-four.” Robert sat down beside the solicitor’s desk, looking grim.

“Don’t go on, sir,” he begged. “It’s an ugly picture you have painted. I prefer to think about Welcome the Traveller.”

“Still barking up that tree, Robert?” Robert Berry took out of his pocket a cheque and slid it acros° the littered desk to the hand of Adam Lawley. The cheque was made out for two hundred pounds, the amount Robert had earned in his fight with Soldier Flynn. It was made out to Adam Lawley, Esq. “What is this all about,” asked the solicitor, picking up the cheque and looking at it.

“I would like you to accept the two hundred pounds in exchange for a first option on Traveller’s Buildings should you ever make up your mind to sell, sir.”

“Eh. But that’s nearly ail you’ve got, Robert. And of course, deducted his fifteen per cent of the total.”

“True. But don’t forget I am to get five hundred pounds for my next fight, Mr Lawley. I have money in the bank. I was never so rich:”

“And you want an option on the Traveller. H’m even at that I may give it you. Bob. Blissard paid you at the rate of more than one hundred pounds a minute for beating Flynn.” The solicitor opened a drawer and slipped the cheque into it. “I’m inclined to think you are going to go a long way, Robert. If, later on, you want to buy the Traveller, I dare say you Could raise a good deal of the money by‘mortgage, but I don’t dare to prophesy you’ll make adoof it .if you open the place as an inn.” A soft but firm tap rang on a panel of the closed door. It opened and revealed the lined visage of Cheeps, the clerk, who carried a pen stuck above his right ear.

“Miss Prunella would like to see you, sir,” he announced.

“Tell Prue I am busy, Cheeps.”

“Nonsense,” cooed a silvery voice as the door was swung wide and Cheeps was pushed gently but firmly out of the way, “Dad is only talking to MiBerry. Hello, Bob. Hello, dad.” “You two lock like conspirators.” she remarked. "What is Robert plotting now, dad?”

The door was closed; Cheeps had retired. ■

“Robert wants to secure an option on the Traveller. Prue.”

Prunella shot a swift glance, at Robert, looked away.

“But you don’t want to sell. 1 hope it is to be a business deal, dad.” “He has given me two hundred pounds for the option.” Prunella's eyes lit up. “Now, I’ll tell you what I'll do. I’ll bank that money, Robert, and keep it in trust for you. And you shall have your option, subject to conditions that will have to be arranged, mind you. And the option won’t last for ever.”

"Why not give it a limit of three years, sir?”

‘’H’m. Maybe. Now I’ll tell you something, Robert. A lot of the leases of the Buildings are running out. Clay-

ton’s, the carriers, for instance, have scarcely another eighteen months ■ .o go. Chatham’s the printers have even less than that. Clayton’s asked for a renewal of their lease only yesterday, but I froze them off by telling them that it would have to be at an increased rental, and they jibbed at that. Chatham, the printer, is not doing very well; too old-fashioned. I shan’t re-

new and when his time is up I expect he will retire and keep what little money he’ll have left. So, you see, if anyone came along with a live and up-to-date scheme for rehabilitating the Traveller, a chance may offer itself soon.” Robert’s eyes took fire.

“If ever I am in a position to take it I want to have that chance, sir, I want to have that chance, sir. I can’t help thinking about Waterloo Berry. He haunts me night and day. Sometimes I sit up late and read that diary of his and it sets my blood on fire. I believe I could make good in Welcome the Traveller. I want to try. If I had the money I’d throw everything else aside to do it. Give me that option, Mr Lawley.” “Shall I give it to, Robert, Prue?”

Prunella considered, smiling archly. “I think you might. I am sure if he bought the property he would never pull it down.” “Very well. Robert, you can have your option, I’ll telephone and let you know when the deed is ready, and you can come and see me again.” “Thank you, sir.” Prunella arose, turned to Robert, her eyes as bright as stars.

“I saw your car outside the door,” she explained. “That was why I came in. We are expecting some neighbours to tea at home and I shall be late if I don’t go now. Will you drive me home,' Robert?” “Delighted.” Drive her home. He would drive her anywhere and keep her with him always if he could. Adam Lawley went into the outer office as they left the premises and from the window watched Prunella climb into the car and take her seat beside Robert at the wheel. His step was firm and his look contented as, with hands behind his back, he strode to his own room.

On Sunday morning, as usual, Jessie Capstow drove Nora from London to Tansworth. It had been arranged that Jessie and her father and mother should come to the farm for dinner. Daniel Shelton and Dan had also been invited. Tom Shulgrave, impatient to see Nora, was to look in after dinner. Nora looked radiant. She had bought some new clothes, a new hat, new shoes. Since her stage success she had changed from a girl into a woman. She was completely at her ease and more affectionate than she had even been. The Berry’s stared at their daughter in undisguised admiration. When a small child she had evinced a precocious talent that awed her school girl playmates, astonished the schoolmistresses and made Jessie Captow, her chum, eye her in blank amazement. In those days she had been the leader, leaving Jessie to follow.

Her mother had taught her to play the piano and to sing. Later, when Jessie took the plunge, joining a touring company that was soon to be stranded in Manchester, Nora had lost heart and interest in play acting. Jessie had gone on pluckily to score success after success. Now the two of them were together in London and revue stars. Jessie had not erred when she had introduced Nora to the New Royalty Theatre management. On this Sunday morning Jessie lingered in the hall of the farmhouse, listening with a smile to Nora’s lively prattle. She was very proud of Nora. Yet as Robert studied Jessie he sensed a certain sadness, in her that was foreign to her sunny nature. As Nora were upstairs with her mother Robert drew Jessie into a sunlit morning room.

“What’s the matter, Jess?” he asked. "Nothing, Bob.” “Oh, but there is. I can feel it. All well at home?”

Jessie bit at her underlip. “To tell the truth, no. Bob, mother is not at all well and dad is worried.” . “H’m. I thought I saw a change in your mother these last few weeks.” Tears welled into Jessie’s eyes. “It is the cost of long years of striving, Bob. They have worked too hard. The shop has not done well for a long time.. Almost ever since I can remember dad has had to keep the wholesalers waiting for their money and has been behind with his rates. Increased taxation has hit him hard. It was because things go so bad I ran away from home and went on the stage. It was the only way I could think of to help them. Ever since I have earned any money I have sent some of it home. Since I made that hit in London I have paid off their debts. But the business is failing. Dan can’t compete with the big stores and their cut prices. His ideas are old fashioned and he can’t think out any new ones. Mother has shouldered additional anxiety looking after my dad. The last time I came to Tansworth I saw Dr Grainger and on Wednesday last I had a long talk with him over the telephone. He told me that mother's nerves are all shot to pieces. She is on the verge q< a nervous breakdown and she will collapse if she has to carry on looking after the house and the shop. The only hope is in a change of surroundings and complete rest. Dad has had an offer to buy his stock, and the goodwill of the business from the stores this week and I have told him that he will have to take it.” Robert’s eyebrows came together.

“Your father clings on like a leech to his business. Will he do it, do you think?”

“I hope so. I am going to talk it , over with them tonight, and so we shan't be coming to dinner, Robert. You must forgive us. It is so important, you see.” , ' Robert pressed Jessie’s hand. “Good luck,” he said. “I have seen the crash coming for some time. Where will yoUr mother go to?” “There is a pretty cottage for sale at the top of Capstone Hill, the one with the old oak tree in the front garden, the Bees Home, it is called. The agents sent me the particulars of that and other properties for sale during the week. It can be bought for £950 freehold, I am going to buy it, Bob. and mother and dad will go there to live.” Robert knew the property mention- | ed. It was in good repair, had a large garden at the back, and a paddock and an orchard behind. 6 That s fine, ’ he said. “I hope you get it, Jess. The finest air in the coun- , try blows down Capstone Hill.” 1 Jessie would not stay to lunch. She went to call on Dan and have a word * with him on the way down to the f town, Jessie’s heart-to-heart talk with her father and mother that night won the ] day for her. Early on Monday morning she called to see Martin, the estate C agent, and drove him up to the Bees Home cottage. Its attractiveness ex- C ceeded her expectations,, for it was cosy and warm inside. Provisionally .. she clinched the deal, leaving the keys 1 of the cottage with her mother before she left for London, so that they might go and view it. ( (To be Continued).