The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1875-06-11

er and another followed, till nothing re
mained but bone, which he crushed with hii
teeth and then sucked the marrow.
"Now for punch p he cried.
"There is no hot water" Richard yentured
to say.
"Water! who asked for water? Bring me
lemon, some sugar and a kettle"
The kettle was placed on the fire. The
stranger filled itwith brandy, adding u lemon
to suit his taste. As the liquor boiled over
it caught fire, setting the whole thing in a
blaze. Richard jumped up to take it off
Che stranger caught his arm, and flung him
back as if he had been n child, instead of a
substanstial citizen Of fourteen stone.
"What are you aboutw he exclaimed.
"Tho punch is doing well enough"
81 was only afraid the house might be
burned
Bother the house," replied the little
man; "thercs no danger"
"Your health, Dick p at length he said,
and raising Che kettle, all blazing, to his
mouth he drank like dromcdary.
"And now, Dick, it's your turn" he said,
after long breath. "You must drink my
health now"
Richard drew back.
"Drinkp shouted the stranger, holding
out the vessel.
Poor Dick took single gulp. He left
the skin Of his mouth on the brim of the
kettle, his throat was scorched as with liquid
fire, and his hair was singcd by the blaze.
"And now TO business" said the stranger,
resuming his seat, and leaving Dick to sit or
stand, as he chose. You know John Walter,
| believe"
"Yes-yes," stammered Richard, 81 once
knew person of that name."
eyes, you and he went to California to-
gether."
Richard acknowledged the fact.
"You made money and he didn't"
Il believe was the more fortunate of the
two"
"You and he started to return together,
and he died in San Francisco"
Richard bowed.
His wife and child are now destitute" the
stranger persisted.
81 can't help that"
"Of course not 1t was his boy you gave
the good advice to, to-day; Ihope the young
scamp will profit by it,
The scene with the little beggar, Richard
was sure, had been witnessed by no one.
How the stranger had found it out was past
comprehension.
"You're quite sure John Walter died
poor? p the stranger went on.
''Oh, quite" said Richard 81 paid his
funeral expenses myself"
''That's lie," retorted the little man !;
"they were paid by the public. It's another
lie that he died poor He had twenty thou
sand dollars with him which you stole"
81 deny it,' Richard fairly screamed !;
'and defy you to prove it."
"rrove it! What efrontery! Why saw
you do it,"
at is false. There was nobody present"
BE careful Dick, or you will commit
yourself l saw you do another thing
Richard shrank shivering into chair, but
said nothing
"John Walter would have survived his ill
ness, but you put poison in his medicine"
a sudden fury took possession of Richard
Whinstone, when he saw the secret of his life
in another's keeping. The carving knife
lay within his reach. He seized it and
springing on the stranger, 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.
"Oh oh! that's your little game, is it?"
And with trip that sent his heels spin
ming in the air, Richard was thrown head
long with force that shook the house to
its foundation. The club foot was planted
on his stomach, and what horrible ugly
foot it was ! 1t was cleft like the foot of an
OK, and seemed to weigh ton.
Then you are the"
"Pray keep civil tongue in your head,
and come along" said the little man. Rich
ard had tainted.
When he came to himself day was break
ing. The old housekeeper, who had found
him groaning and sprawling on the floor,
had, with much difficulty, shaken him into
consciousness. She assisted him to bed /;
but Richard never was himself again. The
surieit of pig had brought on a fever, of
which he died in eight days. His last ra-
tional act was the execution of a will by
which he left the bulk of his will to John
Walters widow and child which, after all,
was a simple act Of justice, for the Demon
Of nightmare had told the truth.