The Shasta courier., 1867-10-12

can't you?'' he gasped. and sank back into
his chair with perceptible shiver MIR
Slade adroitly turned the conversation.
Several months passed, yet the surprise
created by Mr. Smiths purchase had not
wholly subsidized, when a second and vet
more costly object made its appearance in
the drawing room at Allsop- This
time it was gigantic vase, than which NAV
be seen Especially in Germany many baths
of smaller dimensions. Itwas composed of
about equal quantities of gold and silver, and
was, like Its predecessor, surrounded with
devices of the rarest mold-the subject in
this case being suggestive of stirring Incl
dents of the chase, or war. The rich cover
was crested with the design of matador (in
solid gold) giving the finishing touch to a
white Andalusian bull in frenzy, of silver
1t must have been worth, at the very lowest
estima e, thousand guineas.
Mr.. Smith was as reticent and embarrassed
as ever and his friends had to fall back en-
tlrely on conjecture.
What in the world did it mean? Could the
donor have been some grateful patient of the
deceased apothecary? But no; for why con-
ceal what would be so honorable to all the
parties concerned? Could it be that a sud
den monOmanical passion for objects of this
description had possessed John Smith even
to the absorption of two years income in a
single puochase? Hardly that, for he was
sane and shrewd enough in other things
And besides. how would the timid, nervous
little gentleman have been able to summon
the courage and decision required to COM
plete such bargain? The curiosity on the
subject grew almost into pain.
Come now, you know tell us, old fell
low, where these gold and silver mines of
yours are situated ?" inquired the somewhat
rough hammered Mr.. Gripper, adopting that
frank tone which, indeed was fairly his own,
but was intended, on this occasion, to invite
a corresponding frankness.
I'll don't know what you mean," re-
piled Mr. Smith, the wan smile Pickering in
and out of his irres6lute face, ike damp
wick that will not ignine kindly.
" Now, I'll tell you what, my friend, u re.
sumed Mr.. Gripper, setting his teeth in the
truculent manner which always warned his
interlocutors that be was going to say some
thing very unpleasant indeed. - see it all. :"
Mr.. Smith looked disturbed, but it was not
the agitation of one whose secret is on the
point of being discovered. On the contrary
it was with something that seemed like
curiosity, that he calculated with unusual
emphasis
'Then wh-what the devil is %
There's woman, and a woman with
money, you lucky dog. in the case"
In what case Where ~ gasped Mr..
Smith. in sudden terror.
sin love with you, that's all ~
Mr. Smith turned deadly pale. His hair,
had its constitution permitted, would have
assumed an erect position.
Heaven forbid In love with me?
What ever have done? Come, Gripper,
You're always ready with your chaff, amt
YOU, now ?'' said poor little Smith, almost
piteously. Say you're a-quizzing, now."
Truth, John, is kindest," replied the
infexible Gripper. 1t is my painful duty
to arouse YOU to the fact that you have, wit
tinglv or otherwise I asl not your judge,
ensnared the affection of some confding wo
man, with a good balance at her bankers,
whose homage, in the form of gifts, you,
with baseness of which | should have be-
lieved you incapable, do not scruple TO accept,
intending, all the while to-to-in fact"
concluded Mr.. Gripper, shortly, -" to throw
her over.
cover what? Who? Which What are
YOU talking about?" stammered poor Smith.
q wish, Gripper, you wouldn't be such a
fool"
' Fool, sir!"
And don't talk so loud please" contin-
ued the other, looking nervously around
:" You don't know who might hear, and per
haps believe your chaff; for it is chaff, now,
amt it? Come, be neighbors, now, and
don't let's have no more of this"
That will wholly depend upon the course
| see you adopt" said Mr.. Gripper, guarded,
ly. (He was a good dnatured man, and loved
a Joke. but his serious manner, and gloomy
look he had the gift of assuming at pleasure,
frequently imposed upon his friends). q Now
sir. unless you think fit to communicate the
whole of this nefarious plot to me, II will
not answer for what, as a matter of honor
and humanity, may not feel bound to do"
"Plot? Whose plot? Why do you talk
to me as if | was a Guy Fawks?" pleaded
poor Smith, in tone of such distress that
Mr.. Gripper all but abandoned his joke.
g From whence come these magnificent
presents? And why, sir, do you color and
hesitate when questioned on the matter?"
retorted Gripper sternly. No one suspects
you of having stolen them. As little could
you afford to become their purchaser and
where the deuce you came by the judgement
to select them, if your funds permitted, is the
greatest mystery of all. There is but one
solution that sir, which | have suggested.
As man to man, demand-yes, demand
an explanation"
Mr. Gripper folded his arms, and called
up a frown of extraordinary gloom.
Perhaps be overdid it little. Perhaps
dim consciousness that Mr.. Gripper had no
more business with the matter than the Tv
coon of Japan, awoke, in the gentle bosom
of poor little Smith, the sumbering man.
At all events, with an energy he was never
known to display before or since, he confront
ed his scowling friend, and, making the most
of the niggard stature meted out to him
boldly replied
Then, sir, | refuse and the sooner Won
can make it convenient to quit my house. the
better"
Quit your house?" echoed Mr.. Gripper
dismisslng his frown and joke together. =
Not TIL | have shaken hands with one of
the heartiest and pluckiest fellows in the
whole range OF my acquaintance By Jove.
Smith, what splt6re you are bscoming.u
Think so? ?'' said Mr.. Smith. rubbing his
" No, no.''
Couldn't you see that l was only chatting
you? asked his friend and, shortly after
took his leave, much disgusted at not having
been able to discover the secret.
Greater surprises were in store. Mr..
Slade who was rather near-sighted, was en-
terln0 one evening his friends a1wavs half