Rouge et Noire Page: 451
[18], 387-480, [48] p. : ill. ; 24 cm.View a full description of this prose (fiction).
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
SCI
A Little Business Romance of the Banana Tnrlr
Company had a habit of doing things that
wy in I'uertio Iey.
'I am exceeding sorry- -exceeding sorry,"
said the captain, "to see this occur. I place
m1yself at your service, AIr'. Maloney. \\ht-
ever you need shall he furnished. Whatever
you say shall he done."
)icky looked at him unsmilingly. His red
hair could not detract from his attitude of
severe dignity as he stood, tall and calm,
with his now grim mouth forming a hori-
zontal line.
"Cjaptain I)e Lucco, I believe I still have
funds in the hands of your company ample
and personal funds. I ordered a renittance
last week. The money has not arrived. You
know what is needed ill this game. Money
and money and more money. \\Why has it not
been sent ?"
"lly the (ris.obdl, ' replied D)e Lucco,
gesticulating, "it was dispatched. \VWhere
is the ('islbll ) ff (.ape Antonio I
spoke her witu a broken shaft. ;\ tramp
coaster was towing her backe to New ()r-
leans. I brought money ashore thinking
your need for it might not withstand de-
lay. In this envelope is one thousand dol-
lirs. There is more if you needl it, Mr.
baloney."
"For the present it will suffice," said
Diclk, softening as he crinkled the envelope
andl looked down at the half inch thickness
of smooth, dingy hills.
"The long. i grei!'" hlie said, gently, with
a new re erenllce in his gi e. 'Is there any-
thing it will not hey, captain ?"
"1 hadi three friends," repliid De lucco,
who was a hit of a philosopher. "who had
money. OIn of them speculated in stocks
an nuahe ten million; another is in heaven,
and the third married a poor girl whom he
loved.
"The answer, then," said Dicksy. "is held
by the Almighty, Wall Street and C'upid.
So, the question remainss"
"This," queried the captain, including
Dickv'ssurromudings in a significant !,esture
of his handle; is it -it is not -it is not con-
nected with the business of your little shop
here is no failure in your plans?"
"No, no," said I)icky. "This is merely
the result of a little private affair of mine.
a digression from the regular line of Isi-
ness. They say for a complete life a mmn
must know poverty, love and war. But thuy,
don't go well together, e(iitl n inio. Ni;
there is no failure in my business. 'The little
hop is doin, very well."
\V ,.j: ,_h cal~ttinh h t,, ,b~, , T,:called the sergeant of the jail squad anl
asked :
"Am I pIt'r.n bliy the military or \ the
civil authoritiv ."'
" turel there is no martial law in et itect
niV, senor. '
"b'urno. Now go or send to the ailahli,
the luez ide la 'az and til e . ie de los
Policies. 'ell them I am lirepredl it one11
to satisfy the denulnds of justice." A foled
hill of the "long green" slid into the
sergeant's hand.
Then Diicky's smile came hack again, for
he knew that the hour's of his cal tiity
were nunll'ered, m lil he huliiunell, ill time
with the sentry's treaul:
Fo n i nlac lli of iti, o nun.
So, that night )icky sat Ih the window
of the room over his sihop ai i his little saint
sat close hy, working at something silken
and dainty. I)icky was thoughtful ;anl
grave. IHis red hair was in an unusual state
of disorder. Pasa's fingers often ached to
smooth and arrange it, but Dicky woul
never allow it. IHe was poring, to-night,
over a great litter of maps and hooks and
papers on his table until that lperpendiculnlr
line came between his ltrois that dalw\s
distressed P]asa. Presently sihe went aol
hrlought his hat, and stood with it until he
looked i ulp, inquiringly.
"It is sadul for 'ou here." she explained.
"Go out and drink rim i/ami. ('nwm back
when you get that smile you used b)to wa'.
That is what I wish to see."
1)icky laughed and threw down his pll ,rs.
"'The rinh blwo stag'e is past. It ha<
served its turn. Perhaps, after all, there
was less entered my nolith and more my
ear's than people thought. lit, there t ill
le no more maps m' friowns to-night. I
promise you that. tComn."
lThey sat upon a reld si/llr/ at the \in-
dow andl wa tched the quivering 'glanis from
the lights of the (C't'rina retlli-ledl i)n the
harbor.
Presently Pasa rippled out one of her in-
frequent chirrups of auldihle laughter.
"I was thinking, ' she he:;an, anticiliat-
ingI Ditky's question. "of the foolish things
'irls have in their minds. Peeauns I went
to school in the states I used to have atimbli-
tions. Nothing less than to be the Presi-
dent's wife would satisfv ime. And, look
thou, red picarom, to what obscure fate
hest thou stole-n me!"1-6 - I I r la' I llQ
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This writing can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Prose (Fiction).
Henry, O., 1862-1910. Rouge et Noire, prose (fiction), December 1901; New York. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth139393/m1/7/: accessed April 30, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Austin History Center, Austin Public Library.