Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1870-11-09

| tOOk MS
1t was perhaps a week after this that on
night the banker was sitting By the fire il
the library, when the servant came in anC
presented him with letter. He took i
with yawn and in the most indolent anC
Indifferent manner possible, but had no
read dozen words before he came up witt
a start, turned deadly pale, and trembled Sc
that the paper ratified. He read the note
for it was rather note than a letter
worked one hand nervously at his throat
and with the other clasped his forehead and
| temples. For minute or two he seemed
to be choked into calmness by his iron will
| some terrible emotion, and he so far sue
| ceeded as to address the servant in an ordi
nary tone.
James" he said, who gave you this
letter."
"a man sir. and he said he wait for an
answer"
Then suppose he is waiting"
Yes, sir
well, show him in.
Soon there was tap at the door and the
banker said come in in an ordinary tone
The servant opened the door, ushered in
the stranger, and Immediately withdrew.
The stranger was man verging on sixty,
of rough appearance and attire. He wore
an old gray overeoat, buttoned to the throat
and pair of green goggles, and his whole
dress was saturated with rain.
Take seat" said the banker, pointing
to chair.
No, thank you, I'll stand,' was the
gruff reply. You got my letter, and of
course, you know my business" he added.
You allude to this, l suppose" replied
the banker producing the letter which had
caused him so much perturbation.
Yes"
Il do not understand it you must have
made mistake.
mo, no mistake at all I was present,
twenty years ago the tenth day of October,
and saw you shoot the man; and if you 90
aud deny it, [ Il have you in prison before
morning. I've laid my plans, and if you
60 playing innocent, and refuse my terms,
III take care you die stretching hemp"
The banker turned pale in spite of him
self, shudde-ed and struggled to a seat
Il can't give lit would ruin me-
Just as you say rejoined the other,
moving toward the door, you know what
will follow if go this way.
he argued, urged and implored for mercy
at less fearful cost. In vain. At last the
banker seeing ruin, disgrace, death before
him if he refused-agr to meet the
stranger, with the required sum, on the
following night, in front of the St. Pauls
church. Both were pnnctual to the fixed
time, and bills and checks to the amount of
one hundred thousand dollars changed
hands
A month later there vas tremendous
run on the bank of which Stephen Edwards
was the principal owner. 1t was soon clos
ed The sheriff was set TO work by eager
creditors, and all the real and personal
property of the late millionaire were seized
and sold, leaving him bcggar and just
Claims unsatisfed Fashionable friends de-
serted the family, and the proud nobleman
refused the hand of the mplishcd daugh
ter
In the midst of his disgrace and tribula-
ton he encountered the man who had turn
ed pale, and became so agitated in his pres
ence short time before.
Il rather think you do not know me.
sir, said the gentleman, with formal
bow.
Your face seems somewhat familiar, but
| cant name you" returned Stephen Ed
wards.
Permit me to bring myself to your rec
olection, then, as | wish you to know me.
4 little more than six weeks ago | was talk
ing to you on business, when you observed
that / turned pale and became agitated. y
''Ah. yes; remember you now.
II did not tell you why was thus affect
ed My eyes had just CHANGED upon curl
Gus seal, which had once belonged to
merchant named Philip Sidney. who was
shot in the western part OF this State some
twenty years ago. knew you to be the
william who committed the foul deed
''Merciful God - exclaimed the banker,
with blanched face and quaking form.
Yes, | knew you, pursued the other,
and week after | disguised myself and had
an interview with you in your own mansion.
You remember that, of course. y
But" gasped the trembling wretch,
did | not pay you your own price to keep
my secret 2
Yes, and with that very money, and
what other | could command, L was enabled
to buy up enough of your bills to make
that run upon your bank which broke 1t,
and forced ruin upon you"
And what would you do, now that am
ruined p inquired the ruined man with
deadly calmness of desperation.
Now, that have had nay revenge, L
want you to know that L, myself, AN the
man you attempted to murder, and did rob.
An PHILIP SIDNEY. Behold where the
ball struck and glanced %
And he took off his hat and showed it.
''God be praised y calculated the other.
"God be praised that you are still living !"
and, unabl. to restrain his emotion, he burst
into tears ''Oh. sir he continued 'svou