E-text prepared by Al Haines

YOU CAN SEARCH ME

BY HUGH McHUGH

AUTHOR OF

"JOHN HENRY," "DOWN THE LINE WITH JOHN HENRY,""IT'S UP TO YOU," "BACK TO THE WOODS,""OUT FOR THE COIN," "I NEED THE MONEY,""I'M FROM MISSOURI," ETC.

ILLUSTRATIONS BY GORDON H. GRANT

1905

JOHN HENRY GETS A PARTNER

JOHN HENRY GETS A SUFFICIENCY

JOHN HENRY GETS BUSY

JOHN HENRY GETS A SHOCK

JOHN HENRY GETS EXCITED

JOHN HENRY GETS A SETBACK

JOHN HENRY GETS A SURPRISE

ILLUSTRATIONS

"BRING US A PLAIN OMELETTE AND ONE DISH OF PRUNES."

TWO AND A HALF POUNDS OF IRON LANDED ON MY INSTEP

"YOU BETCHER SWEET"

THE ANSWER WAS A CREAM-COLORED HORSE WHICH LOOKED AT ME SADLY

A PRETTY HOT LINE OF GOODS, EH?

I WAS SO SURPRISED I DROPPED THE EGG

CHAPTER I.

JOHN HENRY GETS A PARTNER.

"Seven weeks and then the wedding bells will get busy for you, eh,
Bunch?" I chuckled.

"Surest thing you know," my old pal Jefferson replied, somewhatdolefully.

"I must dig up a few old shoes and have a plate of cold ricepudding on the doorstep," I went on. "It's going to afford me abunch of keen delight to soak you in the midriff with a rustypatent leather and then push a few rice fritters in under your coatcollar, believe me!"

Bunch tried to pull a smile, but his face didn't feel like working,and the finish was a mournful sigh.

"John," he said, after the waiter had crowded the sizz-water intothe wood alcohol, "I'm a plain case of shrimp!"

"Oh, sush!" I said; "you'll get over that, Bunch. Isn't it a hithow we young fellows begin to warm wise to ourselves the moment weget a flash of the orange blossoms. We think of the beautifullittle lady we are leading to the altar and then we think of themany beautiful souses we have led by the hand, and we begin to askourselves if we are worthy. Before we can get the right answer thepreacher has dropped the flag, the ceremonies are over, and afterthat the struggle to supply three squares a day puts the boots toevery other worry; am I right, Gonsalvo?"

"I s'pose so, John," Bunch replied, "but it isn't a case of rattleswith me. I'm shy with the mazume, and it looks now as if thatlittle trip to the minister's will have to be postponedindefinitely."

"Skidoo, skidoo, and quit me, Mr. Josheimer!" I suggested.

"I mean it, John," Bunch came back. "I can't lead a girl likeAlice Grey into the roped arena of matrimony when I haven't theprice of an omelette for the wedding breakfast, now can I?"

"Great Scott, Bunch, have you been Chadwicked for your roll ?" Iasked. "Are you the man from Ohio that was so polite he gave hisbank to the lady? If you are, it serves you right."

"No, John," Bunch answered mournfully, "but I had to go to
Washington on a business trip, and while there——"

"Wait, Bunch," I chipped in; "I've got you sized. While inWashington you met a couple of wise voices who talked nothing butsure-things, so you for the Bennings race track to spill your coin,eh, Beau?"

"Well, John, I'll tell you how it was

...