The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-06-21

III give Benson GrummelS tel
thousand a year to be my book keeper
And then he went in search of hi:
boon companion and ally, Bibbs.
They were now almost constantly
together, Bibbs and he. For hours
would they sit and talk, maturing
plans for the future. Bright were theil
anticipations and many and great the
schemes they formed. Nor did they
ever once give thought as to how al
this great espectant wealth of theirs
was coming.
At length the long looked for day
arrived. The twain were snugly seat
ed in the little back room of Bibb's
shop (Which, by the way had not been
disposed of yeti, anxiousIy awaiting
the arrival of the express train. They
were smoking and chatting, and be-
tween them, upon small table, set a
couple of glasses and a decanter of rich
looking brandy, from which they
helped themselves plentifully now and
then.
"1t will come to-day, sure" repeated
Tom, for abont the fiftietI, time that
morning. And he consulted his watch
with an air of impotence.
eyes, I suppose SOL replied Simon,
ditto, stroking down his rel, shaggy
looking beard, as though it had been
the finest, glossiest one in the world.
Excellent brandy this" said Tom,
helping himself TO a glassful.
"None BETTER" replied Bibbs. 81
got it expressly for this OCCASION"
"pid, eh F.? Then here goes bumper
to our success" said Mr.. spraglin,
tossing off his glass at a single gulph.
Mr.. Bibbs, with an approving nod
and smile, followed his example.
"spraslin, my dear FRIEND" said the
complacent Bibbs, setting down the
empty glass, and resuming his pipe
1--WE are lucky mortals, you and I are.''
Favored rather" suggested Tom.
"Well, there, favored" pursued
Bibbs. ''You by the world, and by
my dearest friend, Spraglin."
"Only did my duty to a friend,'
murmured Tom, by way of acknowI-
edging the compliment.
"Favored by one whose generosity
can not be equaled," pursued Bibbs
not taking any notice of Toms modest
avowal.
"Nay, Bibbs-"
"For show me the man, especially
the one who has the confidence reposed
in him that Spraslin has, that would
stoop to favor an humble friend like
Spraglin has stopped to favor me.
Where is the living man save Thomas
Spraglin that would have come 10 me
and said, EBibbs, old fellow, here is a
chance offered me to make a cool mil
lion; you and I are old friends, 1 am
going to share it with you. I say,
where is The MANI He is nowhere he
can not be found"
And he brought his fist down with
a heavy blow upon the table, as
though to give emphasis to his words.
Somehow the brandy bad made him
powerfully eloquent this morning.
Another drink was now taken; then
time-pieces examined, and cOrsidera-
ble Impotence manifested.
Il do declare" cxpostulated Tom,
'sthe train is slow to-day"
cit is" assented Bibbs.
"When we get to he railroad presi-
dents and directors, Bibbs, chuckled
Tom, 'Fwe'll change matters bit,
won't VEG"
GAY, won't we though chimed in
Biobs, rubbing his hands as gleefully
as though he already occupied one of
those important and highly lucrative
positions his companion referred to.
"'Twill not be long, either" said
Tom, drawing himself up proudly,
Still we begin to dabble in such
things"
"And to buy up railroad stocks, and
to speculate in government bonds, etc..
etc.," added the elated Bibbs.
eyes" returned Spraslin, "of course
"Ha, ha, hal" laughed Bibbs.
"He, he, he!" Uttered Tom.
just then there came upon the still
air prolonged, nneaitby shrek that
seemed to start everything around in
to life for every hill and every valley
returned the cry, shrilly, strangely |!
Another F! Then followed allow distant,
noise, which, every moment,
grew higher and higher, louder and
louder; and the iron hoofed, fiesy mes
senger como speeding up like some
wild, mad thing of life.
"1t is cominsw cried Spraglin, leap
ing to his feet.
cit is coming" assentingly echoed
Bibbs.
And the two men rushed simultane-
ously to the door and into the street
and down to the express Office.
"a package for Spraglin & Bibbs,"
called out the nxnress aren't as fIn