The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1877-02-02

~ little faint, sir, but nothing to cause
alarm, replied tie other, huricdly. 81
am subject to similar spells. Ir you would
be kind enough to excuse me for Ten min
utes or so, viii take short walk and re-
turn i'll better condition.
In ten minutes lie q id return re,n..ipc,
himself quite well, calmly proceeded to
finish his business with the banker. and
then respectfully took his leave.s
1t was perhaps a week after this. that
one night the banker was sitting before the
IRE IN his library, when q servant came in
and presented him with letter. He took
it with yawn, and opened it in the most
lndolent and ind iiierent manner possible
out had not read dozen words before he
rose up with start, turned pale aud trem-
bled SO that the paper ratified. He finished
the nOte-for it was rather "A note than a
lettei-worked one hand nervously at his
throat, and with the other clasped his fore
head and temples. For miiute or two
he seemed to be chol1cd into calmness. bv
an iron viii, some terrible emotions. and
he SO Tar succeeded as to address the wait
ing servant in an ordinary tone
james," he said, ''who gave you this
letter ?''
"A man, sir, who said lie would wait for
an answer
"Then | suppose he is wating?'
eyes, sir.''
Soon there was light tap on the door,
and the banker said ''come in,' in an ord-
nary tone.
The servant opened the door, ushered in
the stranger and Immediately Withdrew.
lhe latter was verging on sixty, of rough
appearance and coarse attire. lie wore an
old gray overcoat, buttoned to the throat
was saturated with rain.
Take seat" said the banker, pointing
to chair near the fire.
mo, thank you, I'll siand,'' was the
gruif reply. "YOu got my letter. and of
course yon know my business = he added.
''Iou aiIude to this, | suppose return
ed the banker, producing the letter that
had caused him So much perturbation.
''Ycs."
81 do not understand it you must have
made a mistake
''No; no mistake at all, l WAS presen.
twenty years ago, come the 10th of Octo-
ber, and saw you, Stephen Edwards, shoot
the man, and if you go 70 deny it I'll have
you in prison before morning. | have laid
my plans, and got everything snre. and if
you Z" to play innocent and refusing my
terms I'll take care to see that YOU die
stretching hemp
The banker, IL spite of himself, turned
pale, shuddercd and staggered to a seat.
NV hat do You want ?'' he groaned.
a hundred thousand dollars--not one
cent less"
81 cannot give tit would ruin me-"
''Jnst as you say" reioined the other,
moving toward tie door. you know what
VIII follow if go this way"
''Oh, stay; you must not go yet" cried
the man of crime, in terrible alarm.
He argued, urg, q. pleaded. implorcd for
mercy at a less fcal full cost. In vain. At
last the 5anker-seeing ruin, disgrace and
death before him if he refused-agreed TO
tie terms. lie also agreed to meet the
stranger, with the required sum, on the
following night in front Of St. Pauls
Church. Both were punctual to the tixed
time, and bills aud checks to the amount
of one hundred thousand collars changed
hands.
A month later there was a tremendous
run npon the bank of which Stephen Ed
wards was principal owner. 1t was soon
broken and closed. Then the sheriff was
set to work by eager creditors, and all the
real estate and property of the late million
aire seized and sold, leaving him a beg
gar and the just claims unsatisfied. Fash
ionable friends deserted the family, and the
proud nobleman refused the hand of
ruined bankers daughter.
In the very midst of This disgrace and
the man who turned so pale and so agitatcd
in his presence a short time before.
81 rather think you do not know me sir,''
said the gentleman, wit! a formal bow
''Your face seems some what familiar. but
yet | cannot place you," returned Ed
wards.
Permit me to bring myself to your rec
objection, then, as | wish you to know me-
y little more than six weeks ago | was
talking to you on business, aud you observ-
ell that turned deadly pale, and became
agitated 20
''Ah, yes; l remember you now
Let me tell you why | was Affected
My eyes had just Glanced upon a curious
watch-seal which had belonged 10 a mer-
chant named Philip sydney, who was shot
in the western part of the State some twen-
ty years ago, and, looking at your features
closely, know yor to be the william who
perletrated the foul deed
''Merciful God - exclaimed the banker.
with a bianched face and qualSing form.
Yes, | knew you,' pursued ;he other.
''and a week later | disguised myself and
had an interview with you in your mansion.
You remember that. of course ?''