The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1877-01-18
VOL. X--NO. 8.

matter? Are you Ill
GA little faint, sir, but nothing to
cause ALARM. replied the other, hur--
riedly. "I am subject to similar spells.
If you would be kind enough to excuse
me for ten minutes or SO, 1 will take a
short walk and return in better condi-
ton"
In ten minutes he did return, report
ing himself quite well, calmly pro-
ceeded to finish his business with the
banker, and then respectfully took his
leave.
1t was perhaps a week after this, that
one night the banker was sitting before
the fire. in his library, when servant
came in and presented him letter. He
took it with yawn, and opened it in
the most indolent and Indifferent man.
ner possible; but had not read dozen
words before he rose up with start,
turned pale, and trembled so that the
paper ratified. He finished the note
for it was rather note than letter
worked one hand nervously at his throat,
and with the other clasped his forehead
and temples. For minute or two ne
seemed to be choked into calmness, by
an iron will, some terrible emotions, and
he 40 far succeeded as to address the
waiting servant in an ordinary tone.
"James," he said, "who gave you this
letter."
ga man, sir, who said he would wait
for an answer"
"Then suppose he is waitingT'
eyes, sir"
Soon there was light tap on the door,
and the banker said " come in, in an Or
dinary tone.
The servant opened the door,
ushered in the stranger and Immediately
withdrew. The latter was verging on
sixty, of rough appearance and coarse at
tire. He wore an old gray overcoat, but
toned to the throat, a pair of green gog-
ples. and his whole dress was saturated
with rain.
"Take seat" said the banker, point
ing to chair near the fire.
mo, thank you, Pll stand" was the
gruff reply. "You got my letter, and OF
course you know my business" he
| added.
"You allude to this, suppose" re-
turned the banker, producing the letter
that had caused him so much perturba-
tion.
eyes"
"I do not understand it; you must
have made mistake"
"No; no mistake at all. 1 was present
! twenty years ago, come the 10th OF oe-
tober, and saw you, Stephen Edwards,
shoot the man, and if you go to deny it
PIl have you in prison before morning.
Ihave laid my plans, and got everything
sure, and if you gQto play innocent and
refusing my terms Tll take care to see
that you die stretching hemp"
The banker, in spite of himself, turned
pale, shuddered and staggered to seat.
"What do you wantp he groaned.
hundred thousand dollars-not one
cent less"
81 cannot give it-it would ruin me"
"Just as you say" rejoined the other,
moving toward the door. " You know
what will follow ifI go this way"
"Oh, stay; you must not so yet,"
] cried the man of crime, in terrible
alarm.
l. He argued, urged, pleaded, implored
for mercy at less fearful cost. In vain.
At last the banker-seeing ruin, disgrace
and death before him if he refused
agreed to the terms. He also agreed to
meet the stranger, with the required
sum, on the following night in front Of
St. Paups Church. Both were punctual
to the fixed time, and bills and checks to
the amount ofone hundred thousand dol
lars changed hands. lf
A month later there wasa tremendous
run upon the bank of which Stephen
Edwards was principal owner. 1t was
soon broken and closed. Then the sheriff
was set to work by eager creditors, and
J all the real estate and property of the
late millionaire was seized and sold
leaving him beggar and the just claims
unsatis6ed. Fashionable friends deserted
the family, and the proud nobleman re
fused the hand of a ruined banker
daughter.
In the very midst of this disgrace anc
tribulation Stephen Edwards encoun
tered the man who turned so pale anC
so agitated in his presence short TIM
before.
81 rather think you do not know M
! sir" said the gentleman, with a forma
, bow.
"Your face seems somewhat familiar
but yet 1 cannot place you" returne'
. Edwards.
Permit me to bring myself to you
q recollection, then, asI wish you to knoN
/ me. A little more than six weeks ago
q was talking to you on business, and yo
a observed that turned deadly pale, an
+ became agitated ?''
A "Ah, yes; remember you now."
4 Let me tell you why WAS affected
a My eyes had just CHANGED upon cur
, Gus watch-seal which had belonged to
: merchant named Philip Sydney, VIII
e was shot in the western part of the Stat
d some twenty years ago, and, looking {
! your features closely, know you to |
j the villain who perpetrated the fol
deed"
" "Merciful Godw exclaimed Il
banker, with blanched face and qua
IN ing form.
l. "Yes, Iknew you" pursued the othe
N "and week later disguised myse
d, and had In interview with you in yo1
rt mansion. You remember that,
re course ?'
lie "But," gasped the trembling wretc
er "did not pay you your own price
as keep my fatal secret?"