Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-04-02

Williams tossed of "a glass Of brandy
wiped the pefspiration from his greas,
brow and said, with deepidrawn sigh
"Well, be II SO. The truth is, can't hell
myself, or I would see you in a hottel
place than you have put me, before Iwoult
submit to your extortion.n es
"Tbat's the right spirit old boyr Sale
Grip, after emptying his glass. "Take il
like philosopher. What cant be helped
must be endured $50 just give me checl
on your banker for that sum, and your
cause is won--the records shall not b.
produced against you, now, or hereafter
except in Heavens high Chancery. where
judgement will be entered against you"
"Canting hypocritel Why do you pre-
sent as terror to me, a judgement which
you must equally sharel Think you, the
accomplice will escape in Heaven, any more
than on earth?''
"DOn'tAy off the helve, Williamsl 1t
is wholesome to be reminded, occasionally,
of one's sins fit is only to give him a
foretaste, ON earth, of the torments that
await him in that lake of liquid fre-but
don't 60 into fits, man--untie your neck
cloth!" f y7e -a ti '1
"You are fooll" Shouted Williams.
"Do you think I am child to be frighten-
ed by your nonsense2 Cease you foolery,
and letus finish this disagreeable business" /"
agreed Said Grip, cycling his tortur-
ed victim with grim smile. "Here are
pen, ink and paper just draw up the doc
umcnt in legal form, and I'll be off in the
morning" a a' a' 81 wt'l
Williams took the pen with trembling
hand, but had not made mark, when
knock at the door made him spring to his
feet.-"What can that mean, Grip"
"Itissome poor devil that wants a nights
lodging perhaps. But I will go and see,
there!' He demanded, on reach
ing the door
Gone that means you no harm, that you
should keep bolts and bars between you and
him." Was the reply.
at is late hour for an honest man
to be out"
"The more reason, friend, that you should
not keep him out any longer"
The door was cautiously unlocked, and
as cautiously opened just wide enough to
give Grip peep at the stranger with whom
he proposed to hold longer party before
admitting him. But his precaution was
rendered unavailing by heavy pressure
against the door, which forced il wide open,
and, to the amzement of Grip, three males
and two females entered the hall, in
body.
"Zounds Who are you?" Thundered
Williams, who had been standing behind
Grip, and was scrutinizing the group as
closely as the dim light from the adjoining
room would allow.
"Permit me, Mr.. George Williams, to
introduce to your acquaintance, the pro-
prietors of this dwelling-Mr, and Mrs.
Gilmore, and their daughter. Me, you
know, of course!'
1t was not necessary for Charles Wilmer
to announce his name, in order to be
recognized by his per6dious uncle, who, at
the sound of the well-remembered voice,
staggered back against the door post, and
there stood paralySed by fear, astonishment
and guilt. Grip, at the startling an
nOuncement, was scarcely less astonished,
and not relishing the turn of affairs, and
thinking it most prudent not to await an
action of ejectment, slyly slipped to the
door, and was about to spring out, when
heavy hand grasped his collar, and voice
exclaimed 2
"Hold on bit, stranger This here
trying fur to run away looks sorter spiel
GUS, and though Mike Sloan's no sheriff,
the law SEE any man kin stop thief, what's
a mind to, and / takes the 'sponsibility NV
doin that ar saryice to the State--Ef you
bite my han, yer tarnal thief, I'll shake
you clean out'n yer bootsl" And suiting
the action to the words, Mike gave Grip
such shake that he deemed it prudent to
offer no more resistance and closing and
locking the door, Mike pressed the lawyer
back into the hall.
"Brother George, have you no words of
welcome for a sister after so long an
absence2" Asked Mrs Fillmore, advancing
towards him.
"Speak not to mel" He exclaimed II am
a guilty wretch, and all that l ask, is per-
mission to depart and hide my shame from