A Matter of Temperance (The Adventures of Ichabod Temperance Book 1) Read Online Free Page A

master. With my marksman skills, I dominate everywhere I travel. Elephant, tiger, and lion; I destroy all before me. The Darkies have certainly learned to fear my approach. Like some great white God, if I can find you in the sights of my rifle, then you belong to me.” A bit of drool appears at the corner of the superior safarian’s mouth. “With these goggles, that allow sight in dark conditions, I shall rule the night, as well as the day!”
    Oh, Goodness, this horrid man intends to use my wondrous invention for indecent purposes! Subjugation of the African populace is not what I had intended for my device. This man callously murders defenseless folks without a second thought. I think that a switch in conversation is necessary because I think I’m getting upset.
    “I read your interview with Miss Plumtartt, sir. That poor girl. I have heard nice things about her and how clever she is at the running of the Plumtartt assets. I don’t think she would have closed the factories unless she was sure there was a serious problem. Do you think she is getting a fair shake from your article?”
    Spraying our table with spittle Sir Henry explodes into guffaws of mean-spirited laughter.
    “That hysterical little high bred wench? Ho, ho, if only you could have seen how easily I manipulated that buxom bird. I can trick a little twist like that into doing my bidding any time I want. This is a man’s world, boy. Even a silly little American twit like you should be able to see the folly of halting production at a vital industrial resource such as the Plumtartt facilities. That high breasted pigeon’s letting her inferior feminine intellect interfere with what’s good for the country.”
    Sir Henry is growing more repugnant. A loose lipped, and scornful smirk twists his face and his eyes glaze over in distant fantasy. I can tell by looking at him that he is envisioning Miss Plumtartt in his mind. He gives me the impression of enjoying an inappropriate imagination.
    “Mmmm, Persephone...”
    I wish he did not have that smug look on his face.
    “That little chick is off her rocker; still, she is a comely little quail...”
    ~!!!~ I was brought up to be courteous to a lady.
    “A rooster in the henhouse is what she’s wanting.”
    ~!!!~ I think I’m getting upset.
    “Yeah, I think I’m just the man to straighten that little twist.”
    ~!!!~ “That’s enough, Sir.”
    “What an uppity little quim like that needs is a bit of the Ol’...”
    That is as far as Sir Henry gets before my fist plows deeply into his smugness.
    I done already popped Sir Henry before I know what I have done.
    “That ain’t no way to talk about a lady, Sir Henry!”
    I am forcibly escorted from the premises by several quick moving restaurant personnel. Before they get me out the door, I add:
    “I choose to default on the commission, Sir! I’m keeping my goggles!”

Chapter 8 - Disturbance At The Queen’s Hotel.
    Persephone
    A bellboy of the Queen’s Hotel brings me today's newspapers from across the lobby.
    With this fresh information, and what I have already learned about the ghost attacks, I attempt to find a pattern to the perils troubling our nation.
    “Unh!” I am seized by a horrible sense of revulsion, just like last night.
    It is the same loathsome sensation as in the laboratory and in the attack on Plumtartt Manor.
    How can this be? This is the heart of a major metropolis! Surely the horrors that pursued me in the quiet countryside of Elderberry Pond are completely out of place in this modern city! I have never known an evocation to summon something on this order. It cannot be the result of Father’s conjuration, or can it?
    There is a disturbance outside the front doors of the hotel. I hear a commotion and sounds of struggle. Now, there is shouting. The staff of the Queen’s Hotel hurry to ascertain the trouble. A bellboy ducks back in to relate: “Old Tom’s having a fit!”
    Indeed, the distinguished old doorman, who was so