Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1867-05-29

wishes better, as the SilYerdale Bank
had closed for the day, and 1 would
not reach Parkersburg until eleven
o'clock on the succeeding morning.
All this, duly accomplished, return
ed to the Office, followed by the man
Atkins, who said, as he sat on the din
gy sofa, smoking a pipe of red "Pow-
haitian" clay:
'Melchior and me have made trade
Now l had never liked the man
partly on account of his sly, cringing
manner-and more because a rumor
which had reached me through an inti-
mate friend as to his unkindness
toward his wife-so only shrunk 10 a
closer reticence as wondered what
could be the nature of traffic between
men of SO different qualities and occu-
pations.
He told me that his visit to Silver
dale was at tMelchior'srequest, and that
he would return with me as soon as l
had fixed up things"
l merely replied, Every well. ALI l
have to do is the packing of my valise, 4"
which was in the tiny bedroom behind
the office.
As stopped over the valise with my
back to him, / happened to glance into
the front room, and noticed an eager
and curious ayarice in his blood-shot
eyes which vanished as 1 looked at il,
and gave me but an instant's thought I;
although more attentive reflection
then, might have served, within two
days, TO prolong two lives. and save my
own from peril.
The Valise was packed, and some
unimportant chat ensued, when we
heard the clear whistle of the IAsts as
she approached a lower curve of the
river; and, by hard walking. we man
aged to reach the landing Just before
the plank was hauled in.
That nights sail, never can forget.
I sat near the bow of the steamer, after
having finally shaken off the persistent
Atkins; and as l wondered what neces-
sity of speed had brought me letter
on Tuesday afternoon which was dated
on Sunday, so far away, the moon rose,
three days past its full, and over the
belle Riviere," ERE its waters lapsed
along the sides of the Tietis, there
poured broad and brilliant beauty in
all the stately sweetness of that Clara
whom, in my heart of hearts, worship
even now. That such q calm as then
dropped over me was never sgain to be
mine, was mercifully hidden, as the |
moon hosted through thousand wor.
Shipping consultations to a oloudless
zenith. 80
Melchior met US on the Parkersburg
dock, and after saluting me briefly but
turned to Atkins and asked |
him to be sure and meet US at the
Union Hotel at one o'clock, giving MIN
the number of his room; either IL or
q. forget which.
You've got the papers all ready, l
said he.
"Yes, yesp answered Melchior, i'm
patiently; and we both felt considera-
Bile relief as Atkins left us at the first
corner. -.. s....-
1t was perhaps FIVE minutes walk to
she "Union," and only some indiffer-
ent conversation passed between rs on
he way.
"Well, Melchior," said I, ''what is
t ?" when we were fairly closeted; and
handed him Fred. HaVens' chegue,
irawn at my request to my own order,
IS there was no likelihood of our meet
ng in Psrkersburg.
He took the cheque, glanced at it,
md rose.
"Quite right, Lesnder. Let US go to
he bank, and hurry back, SO that can
.xplain all this mystery before that old
uffian joins u.s."
The teller knew US both, and imme-
lately cashed the cheque; and before !
eaying the bank, Melchior rolled up
he money and put it IN the breast I
'ocket of his coat after which, he re-
urned with me to the hotel. And now I
Or his story.