The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1874-03-04

my shoulders. gasped for breath and hob
bled to seat. AS sunk into it money
jingled in my pockets. Iplunged my hands
into them and drew forth at one grasp eagles
and half eagles, dollars and half dollars.
Something like rush of memory told me
that the punches of keys felt also, unlocked
great boxes, safes, and vaults full Of treasure,
and that was one of the richest men in San
Francisco.
"This changed my mood at once--I could
do what pleased now. / in Mr.. Abraham
skin. arose and capered for joy. said to
myself: "Who cares for my age my ugli-
ness and my legs. I'll marry Theodosia and
confde my secret to her. Well be happy ;
we'll live life of feasting and delight. I'll
take look at my money and then go and see
what has become Off my old self, poor fellow"
81 did take look at my money! put my
arms in it mp to the elbows before l felt it..
Stranger did you ever put your arms into gold
up to your elbows ~
"No, sir. Not to my remembrance, !"
said the Englishman.
= "It's a fine sensation" SAID the Califor-
man.
81 went down to my lodgings after that, and
as drew near | saw a crowd about the door,
My landlady was wringing her hands, and
the tailor, the shoemaker the cigar dealer,
and the rest of the neighbors, were all talking
about something that had happened
"What's the matter? said.h
M, n1,n,
'sThe young man up there you know-he's
got rid of himself. He owed me for two suits,
Mr.. Abranams. It's just my luck. I'm an
unlucky man."
But think of me-" said the bootmaker-
s.me with my family"
81 don't begrudge him what he's smok-
ing, " said the cgar-maker; g Far from it.
"The old landlady only cried, and just then
the doctor walked down STAIRS
GA plain case of suicide" he said. He's
been dead good while, | should say.
Laudanum. An inquest will be necessary
Poor fellow All dear me y
"Stranger, after that went up stairs to
see myself. can't say I liked it. l don't
want to say much about that. gave the old
landlady money to bury me decently with,
and then went out quietly. All my credi-
tors bowed as I went by. Little they guessed
who was. That at least is a comfort. OF
course you know where went next 1t was
to Theodosas. | asked to see her father
first, and when l saw him / asked for his
daughters hand. He accepted me at once
and made no doubt his daughter would do like
wise, Then we went oyer the subject OF
settlements. was SO liberal that be admired
me more than ever, and at last was ushered
into Theodosia's presence and left alone with
her.
81 shall never forget how she looked at me
as approached her--how she shrank away
as took her hand but when / said:
/" Theodosia, do not be afraid /; miracles are
not at an end. have changed myself to this
for the sake of winning you. am not really
old Mr.. Abrahams, but your own Charles
Cbauncey
eShe gave dreadful scream, and tore her
hand from mine.
''Oh, dear, what shall do?" she cried,
"IIe Is crazy I"
g In vain pleaded-in vain swore that what
said was true. Theodosia screamed until
her father entered the room.
''Then She threw herself into his arms, and
declared me mad-man."
s'All the old gentleman said was
"No, my dear no, no. l never met a
more sensible gentleman than Mr.. Abra-
hams"
s'And all that she could tell him did not
alter his opinion of a son in-law worth mil
lions. remembered being used so entirely
different in my proper person."
81 can't remember what happened next
only know / courted her. | gave her SO
many jewels that she glittered as she walked
diamonds, rubies, emerads, topazes, hung
about her. bt,ilt a house of gold and stuc-
coed it with pearls. The ceilings were of
jasper; the wall were mirrors"
"She knew now that that the thing she be-
leved to be me was dead, and she agreed to
marry me in old Abfalam's skin. rejoiced.
| felt sure could prove the truth to her.
"The wedding day had come, don't know
how We were in church. We had gone in
4 chariot made of white pearl, of enormous
size. tinkled with diamonds as we walked
up the aisle. She was dressed IN white. Her
hair was braided with great cords of pearls
ropes of pearls were on her arms and neck,
and about her waist rosettes of them looped
her dress and studded her shoes. Gorgeous
brides maids held her train. She was SPLEEN
did, but as white as ghost. AS she repea-
ted the responses she looked at me, and l
thought her black eyes had turned to dia-
monds. A horror possessed me, / could
neither hove nor turn my eyes from her
face
eat last the last words were uttered. We
stood together man and wife. The crowd OF
guests gathered closer. They look like SC
many butterflies But before one of them
could salute her she drew herself erect and
plunging her hand into her bosom, drew forth
dagger. With frightfuf glance at me, she
lifted it aloft, crying: q
"S'pose you gibby me back my pipe"
81 was lying on my back on my bed in my
mean lodging-room. AT my side stood a
Chinese, clad in blue cotton with his pigstai
pinned up on his head. 1t was Chang
Wrang, my washerman"
"S'pose you gibby back my pipe" he
axain suggested.