Oxford Democrat., 1868-12-04

dashed away from the awful scene.
We must now suppose a lapse OF twenty
years.
In tho spring Of 1897. thero lived in tho
city Of New York. q banker and million.
aire, whom We shall call Stephen Edwards.
tie owned a palatial mansion. splendidly
furnished. in tie very hear, Of the town,
aud be and his vile were among the lead.
S's OF the fashionable world They hal
beautiful daughter. just turned Of .we..
sixteen, who Nas about to be married TO n
ioieign nobisman. and grcs, preparations
were making for the happy event,
One day aboa, ,hi. period, As tho bank.
er stool eonvsrsing With a gentleman from
another city. who had called to see him
on business, no observed that the latter
suddenly turned pale. and began to trem.
blc
! My dear SIR" said he in hi, usual tone
OF off hand sympathy. what is the matter?
are you iIi?"
"A httlc faint. sir but nothing to cause
any alarm" replied the other harriedly.
II AN 'ubjec; to such spells II you will
be sini enough to excuse me for ten min
utcs or so. will take {, short walk and re-
turn better"
In ten minutes he all return. sail ha
was quite well. calmly proceeded to flush
h'' business With hi. banker. and then res.
pec,fuily took his leave
IL vas perhaps week after thi, that one
ruit t. -.
fire in hi. library. whom servant came in
and presented him letter. lie took j,
with yA~n, opened it in the most indoicnt
and inhiiferent manner possible. bn, had
no; read dozen words before he came an
~i'h start. turned deadly pale. and from
bled 50 that the paper ratified. Ilo finished
the note--for 1t wan rather 4 note than a
lctier--vorkod ono hand nervou.ly at hi.
throat, aud wiIh the other claspcd his for.
had ani temples. For minute or two
be seemed 20 be ehok ing into caImness. by
bis iron will some terrible emotion. and be
50 ar succeeded as TO address the waiting
servant IN sn ordinary tone:
james. who gave you thi. lettcr?'
"A man, sir. sal +. said he'd wait for
an answer
Then ,uHpo,s he. wsiiing?"
"Irs. SIR
VERY we'll, show him IN.
Soon there "a. light tap at the door.
the servant ushcrci in the stranger. and
Immediately Withdrew. The stranger vorg
ing 90 SIXTY. va. OF rough appearance and
attire. he wore an old grey overcoa,.
buuoncd to the throat. and pair OF green
goggles. and his waolc dress wa, saturated
With rain
Take seat, said the banker. point
Jog 10 a chair near tie fire.
mo. thank YOU, IN stand" was the
Grnf reply "You got my letter. and OF
course you know nv business. hs added.
You aII1de 70 rhis. | suppose" replied
the banker. producing the letter which had
caused him 20 much perturbation
Yes"
II do not under,,And it. You mus,
bayc made n mistake
"No mistake at all | was present
twenty years ago The tenth day OF next DC
'hooi the man and Il you go and deny 1t,
I'll have YOU in prison before morning
I've iail my plans and got everything
SIRE and II You SO TO playing innocent.
anil refuse my terms. III take care to SEE
you die stretching hemp"
The barker turned pale IN spite OF him.
seh. 'hndiered and struggled to = seat.
"Can't give tit wolh ruin me ~
Just as you say rjoinei the other.
making toward the door. you know what
will follow IL I 90 This viyr
lie argued, urgcl and implorsd for ner.
cy a. less fearful cost In vain. At last
tho banker seeing ruin, disgrace and
death before him n be rcflseI-agreed 20
terms Iie also agreed 70 meet the stran
ger With tbs required sum on the following
night. m front Of S; Paur, church Both
we're pune, unl 20 Tho fSel time and bills
and checks TO The amount OF one hundred
ibonsand dollars changed hands.
month later there ras tremendous
run on he bank Of which Stephen Edward,
vas the principal owner II vas soon
broken and closed Then the sheriff va,
set 70 work by eager creditors. and the
real estate ard personal property OF The
late millionaire we're s,icz1 and soil leav-
ing him = beggar anil just claims nnsaiis.
fed. Fa1monabl- friend. deserted The
ismiiy, anl ths proud nohomau refused
tho band Of Tie ruined bankers accom-.
p'ished daughter
IL Ihe very midst u bis di'gracs ard
iribglalion stephen Eduarls encountered