The Plymouth Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1869-1941, 1870-06-30

Baron and Orloff brought down in hand
cuffs, the Baron regarding me with a
sweet smile, and Orloff scOwling on me
like fiend l did not prosecute, for they
] were so well known to the police as
| fOrgers, that there was evidence enough
for the Russian Embassy to procure a
conviction and a sentence of ten years
penal servitude; and in due time l re-
| covered, and dismissed the matter from
| nv mind.
| But | had not heard the last of it. About
twelve months after the trial and condem'
nation Of the Baron and his friend there
came one night a timid knock st my office
door. and my clerk (for had such luxu-
ry them ushered in what, at first sight,
seemed to be moving bundle of rags.
| Strictly speaking, the bundle of rags in
sisted on seeing me, and ushered itself in,
spite of all remonstrances.
1t came and stood before me, and re-
| solved itself into the resemblance of a
mana man lean, haggard, sunkeneyed,
ragged, and dirty, but with face some
thing like my own ; and without putting
question, knew that | stood face to
face with Carl Brunton, and / addressed
| the rags by that name.
81 took that name" the poor, shivering
thing replied, "but my name is-but no
matter. May I speak to your"
eyes, 90 on"
Will you give me some drink first? /
have had none today, and feel delirium
tremens coming on. o, how cold it is,
| and how / shiver!"
sent the clerk for some brandy, which
he took raw, and with shaking hand held
out the glass for more.
"I imagine it is Mr.. Moss you want to
see, is it not? If so, you will find him to-
morrow, at ten o'clock
"No, no, you, you / want-1-I am
very poor, very poor. Will you give me
sixpence?"
/ gave him half crown.
"Now what can / do for your"
CT left some property here when /
went away. You won't refuse to give it
rich !-and 1 will pay you we'll"
"You mean the forged rouble-notes and
the plate you engraved them from,"
"Ah Who told you that? Then you
have found them, and used them? / ran
away from them, and wished to lead a
better life, but they drew me back; and
now you have robbed me, and shall
starve."
l explained to the poor wretch what
had become of his possessions, and how
they were found, and inquired if he had
not heard of his accomplices.
"No; | have been wandering about
the country, living in hospitals and work
houses, because they hunt me down from
place to place. They will kill me as they
killed the Posen Jew and the engraver at
Stockholm, all because they demand
fair share They are dogging me to- night
-One of them is outside now. Let me see,
what did / come here for? 0, sixpence.
Lend me sixpence; I'll give you hundred
pounds for it to morrow"
| made a further donation, and, as the
man was evidently in state of delirium,
| told my clerk TO fetch medical man.
But before he could execute the order, the
bundle of rags crept down the narrow
stairs, sitting on each step, and wriggling
by aid of his hands to the next below,
whilst we, unable to pass him, looked on,
wondering how it would all end.
The street gained, he stood upright, and,
casting a terrified glance around, fled
away into the darkness, and we, following
shortly afterwards that beggar had
thrown himself into the Mersey from st.
Georges landing-stage, and had sunk to
rise no more.
His body was never found, and l, hav-
ing had enough of Mersey Street, moved
my quarters, much to the regret of Mr..
Moss, for, quoth he, 1.-TWO of 'em are at
Portland, and another at the bottom of the
river so you may call me a Jew if any
one troubles you again"
But l went; and the office is still with
out tenant, and l shudder when l pass
through ,he street at night, and, looking
up, see the two black shining windows,
like two great eyes watching me, and fancy
can see shadowy form in rags, press
ing its face to the glass, and gibbering and
moving at the busy stream of human life
which surges to and fro forever.-LOndOn