The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1870-01-04

Ills tceJn, ana tnen sucked the marrow
81 Now for punch - he cried
There is no hot water" Richard ven
tured to say
Wdter' who asked for water p
bring me lemon, some sugar, and ket-
tie"
The kettle was placed on the fire
The stranger filled it with brandy, ad-
ding lemon and sugar to suit his TASTE
As the liquor boiled over it caught fire.
setting the whole in blaze.
Richard jumped up to take it off,
The stranger caught his arm, and flung
him back as if he had been a child in
stead of substantial citizen of two hun
dred ponnds.
What are you about ?" he exclaimed /;
:" the punch is doing well enough"
" | was only afraid the house might be
burnt"
" Bother the house ?' replied the little
man; "therc's no danger"
Your health. Dick" at length he
said, and raising the kettle all blazing to
his lips, he drank like dromedary.
And now, Dick, it's your turn" he
said after long breath; "you must
drink my health now"
Richard drew back.
drink " shouted the stranger, hold
ing out the vessel.
Poor Dick took single gulp. He left
the skin of his mouth on the brim of the
kettle, his throat was singed by the blaze.
And now to business said the stran-
ger, resuming his seat, leaving Dick to
sit or stand as he chose.
"You knew John Walter, | believe"
" "Yc-yes," stammered Richard, al
once knew person of that name"
You and he went to California to-
gethcr."
Richard acknowledged the fact
" You made money, and lie didn't"
Il believe 1 was the more fortunate of
the two"
You and he started to return together,
and he died at San Francisco"
Richard bowed.
His wife and child are now desti-
tute," the stranger persisted.
" can't help that"
"Of course not. 1t was his boy you
gave the good advice to-day ] hope the
young scamp will profit by it."
The scene with the little beggar, Rich
ard was quite sure had been witnessed
by no one. How the stranger found it
out was past comprehension.
You're quite sure John Walter died
poor?' the stranger went on.
cob! quite" said Richard, "I paid
his funeral expenses myself"
That's liew retorted the little
man " They were paid by the public,
It's another lie that he died poor. He
had twenty thousand dollars with him
which you stole"
[ deny it !" Richard fairly screamed,
" and defy you to prove it"
Prove it What efTrontery! Why l
saw you do it."
&" 1t is false! There was nobody pres
ont."
BE careful, Richard, or you will
commit yourself | saw you do another
thing"
Dick shrank shivering in chair, but
said nothing.
John Walter would have survived
his illness, bm yOuput poison IN his med
icine."
A sudden fury took possession of Rich
ard Winston when he saw the secret Of
his life in anothers keeping. The cary
ing knife lay within his reach. He seized
it, and springing on the stranger, with Il
desperate plunge sought to bury the blade
in his heart, but it glanced as from plate
armor, and in an instant the little man
was on his feet
soho, that's your game is it?"
And with trip that sent his heels
spinning in the air, Richard was thrown
hcadlong with force that shook the
house to its foundation. The club foot
was placed on his stomach and what
horrible ugly foot it was II vas cleft
like the hoct ofan or and seemed to weigh
q ton.
"Then You are tho"
4" Pray keep civil tongue in your
head, and come along" said the little