The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1846-09-25
From the n. \. Splrt of the Times.
The 1iysierion. I.od.cr.

=
as b RNAGUs SroLLER.
He was about twenty-five years
of age, dressed in a rusty suit of
black, and the unfortunate possess
or of counteEance that would have
secured his success as the "poor
anothecary" in "Romeo and Juliet. "
lie seldom had any communication
with the others, and there was a
certain air of mystery about him that
puzzled every body in the house
no one could tell the nature of his
business, nor give any information
of the slightest circumstance touch
ing his course Of life. No one ever
inquired for him at the house cXcep-
ting at meals, at which he was pune
tua!, and which lie devoured vora-
clouSly, and he remained, while
within the walls, secluded in his
apartment-thc partitoncd portion
OF the garnet above mentioned.
The landlady, who certainly pos
seSscd as much curiosity as any
member Of the fair sex with whom it
has ever been my good fortune to
have any dealings, had sounded cv-
cry body in order to gain some clue
to the mystery which enyeloped Mr..
StoIIer, but without satisfaction.
She had even Propounded many cir
cultouS inquiries to the gentleman
himself, but received only vague re-
plies, which only increased her cy-
ci'emcnt.-lle regularly paid his
board every Saturday night, and al
ways Of coin of the smallest descrip-
ton, which he drew from well
worn ledthern purse.
lie had resided in the house but
single month, when the landlady
discovered the following astonishing
and incomprehensiblc fact
Every Saturday afternoon about
the hour Of four, AIr. Barnabus Stol-
Ter entered the house and proceeded
directly to his room, and having au-
dibIy turned the key in the lock,
would remain secluded for full three
hours. This proceeding occurred
regularly every Saturday, and by
divers means did Ms. Jones, the
landlady, endervor 10 solve the myS-
terry OF this temporary retirement.
Once or twice she had been detec-
ted by one of the dodgers, peering
through Mr.. Stoller's key-holc, but
1T being obStructed On the inner side
by the key, it was somewhat difficult
to obtain an accurate view Of the
premises. Nevertheless, by dint of
waiting with her ear to the door for
many minutes, the worthy dame had
heard strange, indefinite sounds ris-
ing from within, which, although
they convinced her that something
was progressing, cast but little light
upon the subject Of her inyestiga-
tions.
Betty" size remarked to her
maid Of all work, one day, after one
OF these visits to the entry above,
''what can be doing every Saturday
at this particular time ?"
"l'm sure can't imagine, ma'am,"
replied the girl, sunless he's a coun-
tcrleiter."
"A counterfeiter - exclaimed !
Mrs. j., every likely, Betty, and |
most probably counterfeiter of half
dollars, for he pays me every Satur-
day night in small change, for which
he must have exchanged his spuri- !
Gus money-but then, Betty" adj .
ded the landlady, she could hardly
make a living at counterleiting, If
he only works three hours during
the week"
ono ma'am, that's true" answer
ed Betty, "but still I'm satisfied he
must be doing something horrible,
though" The lanLlady cogitated |
some time deeply, and then shaking
her head slowly from side to side,
spoke again
"Well, Betty, he may be a con-
spirator-he may have some horri- !
bic plot in his head, and really do I
not feel safe in the house with him,
unless | can discover what he does
so silly every Saturday-so tonight
III ask him boldly at supper, in
what way he employs himself regu-
larry once a week in his ROOM"
They both concluded the plan was
a good one, and the conference en-
ded.
at the first sound of the bell the
inmates locked to supper, and a.
mong the foremost was the uncon-
scious Stollcr, dressed in his only
suit of black. lie seated himself. f.
and commenced with his usual vo- /
raclty upon the provisions before
him; the boarders were all seated
and well engaged--Bctty was STAN
ding behind her mistress chair with
face in which anxiety and curiosi- |
~ were strongly blended; no sound
was heard save the Gathering of
knives and forks, with now and then
tnp rattle nT tn,-eDao, 10 Oh.