Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1872-11-22

lailSs
We had just lit our second cigars, re
filled our tumblers, drawn our chair
closer to the fire and settled down il
them with that selfish feeling of satisfac
tion which every one experiences at be
ing warm and comfortable on cold
cherries Dight, when we were startled
by loud single knock at the street door
Now a single knock at any time is a
most unpleasant thing. A gentle one
sounds mean and despicable you can
fancy. the person who made 1t starting
back like Fear, in Collins Ode to the
Passions, Even at the sonnd bimseli
had made" but bold heavy bang that
wakes up the echoes all through the
house, especially if given about ten OF
eleven at night, is terrible causing a cold
shiver to pass through body as though
something evil approached you.
That is strange knock, said IL
Very" replied Fielding, "I wonder
who it can be?"
We were not long left In doubt, for the
servant entered the room and announced
that boy wanted to see DR.. Fielding.
What does he want? Can't he send
message by your"
Please, sir, he says he can't; he must
see you"
Well, show him up" said Fielding
And the next moment lad of about
twelve years entered the room.
He was short, shambling lad, with
fierce, rough head of hair, large, star
ing blue eyes, and not too clean hands
and face. His clothes were strong, but
common, and hung closely around his
spare figure.
Which of you is the doctor?" asked
the lad.
al am" answered Fielding. "What
do you want, my lad"
Here is a note tor you" said the lad
at the same time handing over care
lessly folded half sheet of paper. "Please
to come quick; he is bad"
Fielding took the paper and read it,
and then passed it to me. 1t ran as fol-
lows:
DEAR FIELDING,-I'm worse and
worse-in fact have only to be little
more so and shall be much better. In
other words, am about makingmy fare
well bow on this worlds great theatre
Come and see the fall of the curtain
The performance is entirely for my bene-
fit. Do come old fellow! Charon will
show you the way.
Yours, ARTHUR BURDoN.
1t is as l feared" said Fielding
"Of course I must go. Will you accom-
pany me?"
AS Burden was an old friend of mine
| at once consented, and in few min
utes we were in the street, following our
youtt full guide.
Where does Burden live ?" inquir-
ed.
That is more than l know" replied
Fielding; although we have been on
friendly terms for many years, he has
never told me his address He has all
his letters sent to his music publishers.
| think he resides somewhere in West
minister"
"And this boy, Charon, as he calls
hipn-is he his son %
"That can't say; this is the first
time | have either seen or heard of the
young gentleman"
Burden must have made money"
" Undoubtedly. His songs were al
ways successful, added to which he is a
good man of business and retains right
in all he does. Then, again, he is so
careful, almost too careful with his mon
ey. So l think there can be little doubt
about his being we'll off.
!" Do you know his family ?''
"No, | have questioned him a great
deal lately on that point, for l could see
that he was breaking up, but he would
never answer. He seems to have NOR
bid fear of poverty"
Our conversation was interrupted at
this point by our young guide stopping
at small, dirty looking house. Draw
ing whistle from his pocket he blew on
it shrilly, and then did breakdown on
the grating over the area. These signals
had the desired effect of bringing an old |
withered crone to the street door, who |
was without exception the ugliest speci-
men OF humanity ever beheld. In one
hand she held thin, consumptive look
ing candle, which she shaded from the
wind in such manner as to throw its
light fully upon her own hideous feat
ures. She placed herself in the doorway
sowe could not pass and glared at us with
her pale. filmy eyes, and murmured and
moaned in terrible manner.
Don't MIND old Sycorax," said the
how a she won't hurt hecause she can't