The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1869-01-29
Of of.hand sympathy, "what Is the mat


any alarm," replied the other hurriediy.
Il am subject to such spells. II you Will be
kind enough to excuse me for ten minutes
or so, I will take short walk and return
better" ...
In ten minutes he did return, said nc
was quite well, calmly proceeded to finish
his business with his banker, and then re-
spectfully took his leave. .....-
1t was perhaps week after this that
one night the great banker was seated py
the fire In his library, when o servant
came In and presented him letter. He
took 1t with yawn, opened 1t In the most
indolent and Indifferent manner possible,
but had not read q dozen words before he
came up with start, turned deadly pale,
and trembled 80 that the paper ratified.
He finished the nOte-for 1t was rather a
note than lctter-worked one hand nerv-
ously at his throat, and with the other
clasped his forehead and temples. For q
minute or two he seemed to be choking
into calmncss, by his iron will, some ter
rible emotion, and he so far succeeded rs
to address the waiting servant In an ordi-
nary tone: r. .- '--
"James, who gave you this letterg'
"a man, sir, and he said he'd wait for
an answer"
"Then suppose he's waitlngw
"Yes, SIR"
"Very well, show him In"
Soon there was light tap at the door,
the servant ushercd In the stranger, and
Immediately withdrew. The stranger
verging on sixty, was of rough appear
ance and attire. He wore an old grey
overcoat, buttoned to the throat, and n
pair of green goggles, and his whole
dress was saturated with rain.
Take seat said the banker, pointing
to chair near the fire.
NO, thank you, I'll stand,' was the
grun reply. you got my letter, and of
course you know my business he added.
You allude to this, I suppose replied
the banker, producing the letter which had
caused him so much perturbation.
| Yes
Il do not understand 1t. You must
have made mistake
NO mistake ut all. Twas present twen-
ty years ago the tenth day Of next Octo-
ber, and saw you, Stephen Edwards,
shoot the man-and II you deny It, I'll
have you In prison before morning. I've
laid my plans and got everything sure !;
and II you go to playing Innocent, and re-
fuse my terms, III take care to see you
die stretching hemp
The banker turned pale In spite of HIM
self, shuddered and struggled to seat.
You are in my power he continued,
and you can only escape the hanging you
deserve In one way. Pay me over to-
morrow night, suiting your own convent
ence as to time and place, the sum of one
hundred thousand dollars
Cant give lit would ruin me-
Just as you say rejoined the other,
making toward the door. You know
what will follow II 60 this way
He argued, urged and implorcd for mer-
cy ut less fearful cost. In vain. At last
the banker-seelng ruin, disgrace and
death before him II he rcfused-agreed to
terms. He also agreed to meet the stran-
ger with the required sum on the follow
ing night, In front of st. Paul's church.
Both were punctual to the fixed time, and
bills and checks to the amount Of one hum
dred thousand dollars changed hands.
A month later there was tremendous
run on the bank of which Stephen Ed
wards was the principal owner. 1t was
soon broken and closed. Then the shcr-
Iir was set to work by eager creditors,
and the real estate and personal property
of the late millionaire were seized and
sold, leaving him bcggar and just claims
unsatisfied. Fashionable friends deserted
the family, and the proud nobleman re-
fused the hand of the ruined bankers ac-
complished daughter.
In the very midst Of his disgrace and
tribulation, Stephen Edwards encountered
the man who had turned pale and become
so agitated In his presence short time
before.
Il rather think you do not know me-
sir said the gentleman with a formal
bow.
.Your face seems somewhat familiar
but cannot name YOU returned Stephen
Edwards.
Permit me to bring myself to your rec
election, then, us l wish you to know me.
A little moro than six weeks ago was
talking with you on business, and you OBJ
served that turned deadly pale and be-
came agitatcd.'
'Ah, yes-I remember you now.'
Let me tell you why was thus Affect
cd. My eye Just chanccd on curious
seal which once belonged to merchant
named Philip Sidney, who was shot In the
western part OF this State twenty years
ago; and on looking at your features
closely, knew you to be the villain VINO
committed the foul deed
.Merciful God" exclaimed the astonish'
cd banker with blanched face anu
quaking form.
Yes, I know you,' pursued the other,
and week amer disguised myself anu
had an interview with You In your own
mansion. You remember that, Of course!
But gaspcd the trembling wretch
did not pay your own price to keep my
fatal secretT
Yes, and with that very money anu
with what other could command. was
enabled to buy enough Of your own oi'i'
70 make that run upon your bank 'ha'
broke Il and forced ruin upon you.'
And what would you do, now that am