The Definite Object: A Romance of New YorkFarnol, Jeffery
General
The Definite Object: A Romance of New York
Farnol, Jeffery
New York (N.Y.) -- Fiction
"'S 'nuff, bo, 's 'nuff! But go on--go on, get it all off if you'll feel
better after. Anythin' more?"
"Why, yes, about twenty or thirty houses and castles and palaces and
things--"
"That settles it sure!" sighed the Spider. "You're comin' t' see a
doctor, that's what! Your dome's sure got bent in with a boot or
somethin'."
"No, Spider, I just happen to be born the son of a millionaire, that's
all."
"Think o' that, now!" nodded the Spider, "a millionaire now--how nice!
An' what do they call ye at home?"
"Geoffrey Ravenslee."
"How much?" exclaimed the Spider, falling back a step. "The guy as went
ten rounds with Dick Dunoon at th' 'National?' The guy as won th'
Auter-mobile Race? Th' guy as bought up Mulligan's--you?"
"Why, yes. By the way, I sat in the front row and watched you lick Larry
McKinnon at 'Frisco; I was afraid you were going to recognise me, once
or twice."
"Then, you--you _have_ got a yacht, th' big one as lays off Twenty-third
Street?"
"Also seven cars; that's why I want you for a chauffeur."
"Ho-ly Gee!" murmured the dazed Spider. "Well, say, you sure have got me
goin'! A millionaire! A peanut cart! A yacht! Well, say, I--I guess it's
time I got on me way. S' long!"
"No you don't, my Spider; you're coming home with me."
"What--me? Not much I ain't--no, sir! I ain't no giddy gink t' go dinin'
with millionaires in open-faced clo'es--not me!"
"But you're coming to have dinner with that same peanut man who learned
to respect you because you were a real, white man, Spider Connolly. And
that's another reason why I want you for my chauffeur."
"But--say, I--I can't shuv."
"Joe shall teach you."
"Joe? Y' mean--Joe Madden?"
"He'll be chauffeur number one--and there's a cross-town car! Come on,
Spider! Now--in with you!"
CHAPTER XXXI
IN WHICH SOAPY TAKES A HAND
O'Rourke's was full: its long bar, shaped something like the letter J,
supported many lounging arms and elbows; its burnished foot-rail was
scraped by boots of many shapes and sizes; its heavy air, thick with
cigarette smoke, hummed with many voices. In one corner, a remote corner
where few ventured to penetrate, Soapy leaned, as pallid and
noncommittal as ever, while Spike poured out to him the story of his
woes.
"She drove me out, Soapy! She drove me away from her!" he repeated for
the hundredth time. The boy was unnaturally flushed and bright of eye,
and his voice was as shaky as the hand which fidgeted with his whisky
glass; and the sense of his wrongs was great and growing greater with
every sip.
"She told me t' leave her! She drove me away from her--"
"So you come here, eh, Kid?" drawled Soapy, pendent cigarette
smouldering. "You skinned over here t' Bud f' comfort, an' you'll sure
get it, Kid--in a glass!"
"Bud's always good t' me--"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account