Richland beacon., 1877-02-03

beautiful daughter, just turned 10
sweet sixteen, who was about to be
married to a foreign nobleman. and
great preparations were making for
the happy event.
One day about this period, as the
great banker was conversing with a
gentleman from another city, ~hO
called to see him on business, be OBJ
served the latter turn suddenly very
pale and begin to tremble.
my dear SIR" he said in his usual
tone of off-hand sympathy, what is
the matter? Are you i'll?
"a little faint, sir, but nothing to
cause alarm" replied the other hur-
riedly. IL am subject to similar
spells. If you would be kind enough
to excuse me for ten minutes or SO. |
will take o short walk and return in
better condition"
In ten minutes he did return, re-
porting himself quite well, calmly
proceeded TO finish his business with
the banker, aud then respectfully took
his leave.
1t was perhaps week after This
tbat, one night, the banker was sitting
before the FIRE IN his library, when a
servant csa,e in anu presented bin
let'el. He took it with yGwD. cpen-
ed it in q most indolent and ihdifier-
ent manner possible, but had not read
a dozen words before be came up with
tart, turDed pale, and ,rembled SO
that the paper ratified. He finished
the note-for it was rather a note
than letter-workcd one hand
nervously at bis throat, and with the.
other clasped his forehead and temples.
For o minute or two be seemed to
have choked into calmness, by an
iron will, some terrible emotions, and
be so far succeeded as to address the
waiting servant 10 an ordinary tone
James" he said, who gave you
this letter ?"
"a nan, sir. as said be would wait
for au answer"
"Then ! suppose he is waiting"
"Yes, sir"
"ShOw him in"
Soon there was a light tap at the
door, and the banker said "come in"
in an ordinary tone.
The servant opened the door, ush-
cred in the stranger and immedia,. ly
withdrew. The latter was vergiug
on sixty, of rough appearance and
coarse attire. He wore an old grey
overcoat but,oned to the throat, and
a pair Of green goggles, and bis whole
dress was saturated with ram.
"Take . seat" said the banker,
pointing to q chair near the fire.
mo, thank you, Ill stand" was
the gruff reply. You got my letter.
and of course you know mp business
he added.
"You allude to this, l suppose"
returned the banker, producing the
letter that had caused him SO much
perturbation.
"Yes."
81 do not understand it; you must
have made mistake"
"No no mistake at oil. / was
present twenty years ago, cone the
10Th of Octuber, and saw you,
Stephen Edwards, shoot the man, and
if you 60 to deny it I'll have YOU in
prison before morning. l have laid
my plans and got everything sure,
aud if you go to playing innocent and
refusing my terms III take care to
see that you die stretching hemp"
Tue banker, in spite Of himself,
turaed pale, shuddered and staggered
to seat
What do you want ?" be groaned
"a hundred thousand dollars-not
one cent less"
II cannot give tit would ruin
me."
Just as you say" rejoined the
other, moving toward the door. You
know what will follow if | 20 this
way"
"Oh, stay. you must not 60 yet"
cried the man Of crime, in terrible
alarm. 1
He argued, urged, pleaded. I'm
plored for mercy at less fearful cost.
In vain. At last the banker-seeing
ruin, disgrace. and death before him
if be refused-sgreed to the terms.
He also agreed to meet tie stranger,
with the required sum, on the follow
ing night in front Of St. Paul's Church.
Both were punctual to the fixed ume,
anL bills and checks to the amount Of
one hundred thousand dollars changed
hands
A month later there was tremcn-
dous run upon the bank Of which
Stephen Edwards was principal own
er. 1t was soon broken aud closed.
Then the sheriff was set to work by
eager creditors, and all the real estate
and personal property Of the late
millionaire was seized and cold.
lea ving him o beggar aud the just
claims unsatisfed. Fashionable
friends deserted the family and the
proud noblemnn refused the hand of q
ruined bankers daughter.
In the very midst IT this disgrace
and tribulation Stephen Edwards en-.
countered the man who had turned
so pale and become so agitated in his
presence Q short time before.
IL rather think you do not know
one. sir" said the gentleman. with q
al ho,.s