Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1859-06-09
ynttrtsting stotg,
THE
MYST EHIOUS BASKET,
"a MURDEROUS TALE"
BY j. HARDY HAYWARD.
CHAPTER /.
T HE s X

One bright, cold day in mid-winter, not
many years since, d voting man of about
two and twenty years of age, and of fine
prepossessing appearance, was obserfed
to enter a little cigar store-kept by an
old Jew, by name Abraham situated on
the Fotrth Avenue, near the present site
of the New York and New Haven Rail
road Depot.
The young man seemed in a great bur
ry and worry about something tr Others
for his pace was rapid and uneasy, while
his intelligent face looked flushed and
warm, doubtless oceasioned by the great
weight of 9 singular looking narrow bel
lied willow basket, neatly and closely
covered with white canvas, which he car
ried with considerable difficulty upon his
arm, assisted by the tight and laborcd
grasp of tile left hand as he struggled
along.
On entering the store, the young man
set the basket down upon the floor with
a deep sigh Of relief, and drawing from
his breast pocket a handkerchief, busted
himself in wiping his perspiring brow,
while waiting the coming Of the store
keeper, who, as he very correctly sup.
posed, was in a small apartment in the
rear, which was divided off fSom The
store BY a pine partition about seven feet
high.
He did not have to wait long, however;
for soon he beheld issue from the little
door just behind the counter, and at the
farthest end. a diminutiye form, habited
in a loose wrapper, sm~oking-cap and slip
pers; with a wrinkled, ~leatherly looking
visage, long and lank, with hooked nose,
broad mouth, black eyes, aud short, crisp
black hair. This was the Jew, Abra
ham, and seeing that it was a customer,
his face assumed its habitual cold grin
with which he always favored a we'll
dressed custcmer-as he hastily advanced
to learn the gentlemen's wants.
Il have just arrived in the CITY," said
the young man, still wiping his brow,
|" and have brought this basket with me;
but being uncertain where my friend
with whom | am going to stay-resides,
would ask permission to leave it there.
until | ascertain, when | wiIfreturn and
get it. and pay you for the trouble of
keeping 1t safely for me.'
At first, Abraham was inclined to be
angry, when lie learned that there were
no purchases to be made, but as soon as
any mention Of Pay for trouble" was
breathed, his grim face lighted up, while
stroklng his chin he replied
Veil, III keep ter pasket for tie shen
tleman," then turning towards the parti-
ton, he in a loud voice continued
: Vrow, yrow, COON ell here COON ell
here /"
"Yah-yah," said a voice from within,
and the nextinstant a short, stout, round
bodied, red faced looking woman, with a
dirty faced child in her arms, made her
appearance, inquiring, Vas wilt tn ha-
VEN 2"
Mine tger," replied Abraham, as his
wife paused before him; " mine teer, ter
shentIeman's want for to leave his pasket
wit me; so just carry him within der par
lor rooms dare" and then added in Ger
man, There may be something valuable
in it, and he may not como back to get
it again, and-you understand p
"Yay-yah, Mynheer; but what is in
it, | wonder 2" queried she, also in Ger
man; "Pd like to find outs then turn
ing to the young man, she continued
without the slightest show Of delicacy OF
hesitation, "Vot is in ter pasket, mine
teer sir ~
The young man looked half angry 81
this question; but, after an instant's pause
replied, while a strange smile stole. over
his face:
well, | do not think it best to tell
you further than that it is nothing very
valuable"
Mime teer yrow, take ter pasket with
in" %interposed Abraham, who then witt
a deep and impressive air continued, il
German Pm sure, now, that there !,
something very valuable IN it; SO take i
in wife"
And ], too" responded the wife, a.
she eagerly seized the basket from off tht
counter, as though it did not weigh {
pound, and lugged it and her child in be
hind the partition.
You will keep it safely for me- sale
the young man, as she disappeared, AM
keep it as far away from the fire as pos
sible."
"Oh, yah yah !" returned Abraham
now all fear lest he should change hi
mind, and take it away with him afte
all. IN keep him safe i"
Well, I'll be much obliged to you, j
you DOLL return for it soon-but here,
and he threw somo change down on tn
Q counter, just give me 8 cigar-a goo'