The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-02-16
DICKS RELATIONS.

| DICK settled himself comfortably-that
| Is to say, threw himself back in his arm
chair and one leg over the back of ar
other.
''1t was queer thing to do" he be-
gan.
"What WASP"
"Tne will he made," said Dick; "but
suppose he was eccentric, too"
"You forget that you have not yet in
trOduced the gentleman" one OF us IT.
minded.
"WelI, I can't say knew him my
SELL" returned Dick, ''though was his
distant rela tlon-he had none but dis
| tant relations, in fact, OF whom | was
the most distant. 1t was for that rea-
son, perhaps, or may be because, having
never seen me, he disliked me less than
the others, that he left me all his
wealth."
Dick had q way of beginning story
in the midole and working 1t out both
ways, that wasn't likely to be bettered
by asking questions. So, without lur-
Lher Interruption, we allowed hlm TO
proceed on his own plan.
"Ihe cutoff relations, you may be
| sure" he continued, 'looked upon my
good fortune with anything but equa-
nimity. They considered me a SUP
planter, aspoiler, a sort Of testamentary
| usurper; in short, one who had robbed
them OF their right.
"Those nearest In blood tried to break
| the will. The testator, they said, wasn't
in his right mind when he made it, and
proofs were brought up Of many queer
things he had said and done. But the
jury thought man could he queer with
lout being crazy, and SO founu verdict
Establishing the disputed document.
| (knf / XHn hnt hnn
ever by the disappointed claimants; but
their spite gave me small concern. With
u light heart and plenty OF money man
| is apt to be on good terms with himself,
ana NOT TO mind much what other people
think.
III wint to spend a summer in the
mountains. AT an old-fashioned country
seat, hall hotel and half farmhouse, l
found comfortable quarters and pleas
ant companlons-among the latter a
couple OF nall fedged doctors, in whom
the pranks ana Vagaries into which ex-
uberancs OF spirits often led me seemed
to excite a Lively interest. They were
| constantly seeking to draw me out.
4 They seemed to think me amusing, to
find entertainment in my freaks; and TO
crafty them 1 was ever ready with some
new extravaganza.
a riue with them 10 visit friend in th 9
neighborhood, a brother chip they
said, WITH whom they assured me i
should be delighted.
| t'lt was long jaunt over wild noun
! tain road, but we chanted the time away,
and at length, as the night began to fall,
! drew up belore large stone building.
"'Tnls is Doctor Crochetrs,' said one
Of my companions
GAS we alignted and ascended the
steps the doctor came to the door. He
received US cordially, and the ceremony
OF introduction over, led the way in.
lie was d tall, lank man, with a shrewd,
| cunning face, clothed with one of thos Q
perpetual smiles which it would be re-
| lief TO see broken now and then by d
| lfown.
"'show Mr.. Clavering up, Leech,' said
| he to one OF my frienus, you know Tn e
way, and have a word TO say to broth
er Pellet here.'
"Leech took my arm, and at the end
OF long hallway ou the third floor, led
me into dImly lighted room. thought
II a strange place to conduct guest to,
but made no remark.
| "'Be seated,' sad Leeeh-T shall re-
| turn III a moment
$50 saying lie stepped out and closed
the door.
Though it was summer the night air
was Keen in that mountain region, and
morning and evening fires were CUSTOM
ary. Feeling little chilly after our
long ride, l attempted to draw char
which stood near tue wall toward heat
ing apparatus at one end OF the room,
"Judge ol my surprise to f1nd the cnaiT
immoyaDle. My curiosity was excited.
S nj .Ssf.. IT.
lamp by which it was lighted hung from
the ceiling out of reach. The only ar.
ticles OF furniture were the stationary
char, a small iron bedstead and bedding
the former fastened to the wall-and d
wash-stahd similarly secured. / ex-
amIned the window. 1t was narrow and
guarded outside by thick iron bars.
"What could be the meaning of all
this? l began to feel a tremor coming
over me. Beads OF perspiration stood
on my forehead. I ran to the door, es.
sayed to open it, but found it locked
from without. Ishook it violently, called
loudly tor Leech, and then made des
perate efforts to kick down the door;
but it was LOO strong and heavy, and in
Ispec,ion revealed The fact that it was
thicKly plated with lion.
"A vague feeling of terror had almost
| 81
noise attracted my attention. A portion
of The door turned outward, as ii upon
hinge, discIosng a small, square apei.
lure, through which / discerned the
face Of DR.. Crochet, with rigid, sicken.
ing smile.
| "What is the meaning of thisp l de.
manded tiercely.
"sCome, come, MIR. Clavering, be
calm,' sad the doctor, in his smooth,
hyp pocritical tone; excitement will do
you great harm, you see. We trust you
will soon be better.'
"'BetterP exciaimed-'why, there's
nothing ON earth the mater with meW
"You are scarcely the best judge oil
that was the quiet response.
"tBut tell you l was never sick in
my hfev yelled, driven TO phrenzy by
such insolent mockery.
"Not exactly sick, perhaps returned
the imperturbable doctor, but you have
not been quite yourself lately, you see
not quite and he tapped mis- forehead
Significantly.
"'Then you take me to be crazy p
said, bursting into q laugh at the alb
surdity OF the idea.
"'Well, well, if you only keep quiet
, and avoid excitement, we nope TO Lring
Won around in month or so.'