The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1878-08-27


safe home again. he added to himself.
How do know where this man is
taking me? ?"
But even as he spoke the distant light
grew larger, and the carriage stopped at
an iron-bound door with q grating at
the top, through which fell light, like
that of flame from the chimney of a
pottery on dark night.
"This is our Office" said the little
man in green and old Hiram followed
him as he leaped from the crazy vehicle,
which suddenly disappeared in a most
mysterious manner.
A rap at the door summoned dark
visaged man, who admitted them with
out parley, and old Hiram Gormley
stood in veritable counting house, the
most spacious which had ever met his
eyes.
He glanced down the rows of diligent
clerks, all dressed in black, and all en-
gagged in making entries in immense
iron-bound volumes; at the huge fire,
which he could see reflected on the roof
IIlOuSh a WluC SlalibS III OuS ulobohCC3
and which rendered anything in the
way of lamps and candles unnecessary;
and then turned toward tall, dark
man, who strobe toward him from the
centre of the glowing light. He was
clad in black, and his hair was bound
together in an old-fashioned cue. There
was a sort of a supple, snake-like ease in
his movements, and his feet were COW
cred with shoes that suggested either the
gout or bunions.
" Mr.. Gormley," said the little man in
green, "Mr Gormley, partner. He has
come to inspect our stock of flour; he'd
like to buy it in"
" He would like to buy it in would
hep" said the new conner. "You are
very welcome, Mr.. Gormley. have no
doubt we shall come to terms. Gentle
men, this is Mr.. Hiram Gormley with
whose name you are SO well acquainted,
and whom you have expected so
long"
AS he spoke the long rows of black
clad clerks arose with one accord, and,
bowling, turned upon him their hollow,
blood-shot eyes, filled with light which
must have been reflected from the fire
beyond, it was so red and horrible.
Old Hiram Gormley shuddered in
voluntarily, as,addressing himself to his
two companions, he said: M
Can see this flour of which you
have been speaking ?"
Certainly, sir, I" replied the taller of
the three, as he flung open narrow
door to his right and beckoned Hiram
to approach. Light up, boys, light
upl"
And at the words myriad of torches
f1ared down a seeming-interminab
vista; and Hiram looked upon myriads
and myriads of barrels, stretching away
until they faded into mere specks in the
distance. r.a
Full of -four, from the very first
brand down to the poorest; not another
barrel left in the market. You can
have the upper hand of the whole of
them, Hiram Gormley (; when you can
starve ten millions if you like to do so.
Do you close the bargain, or shall we
send for some one else ?"
"Hush 1 agree. Tell me your
terms ~ grasped old Hiram Gormley,
nervously.
There are very easy" said the tall
man in black. Sit down, if you please.
Here is the pen and paper, and the doc
ument."
Hiram seized the paper and conned it
rapidly, growing white and cold as he
read on. AT last he flung it from him
and screamed: r
My soul Promise to give you my
soul In the name of the fiend, who're
you ~
Your humble servant" said the
creature clad in black and old Hiram
saw cloven foot peeping from the
queer boot and distinguished the per-
fume of birthstone.
(" Let me go!" he said. "Let me
go ?"
I" Softly !" said the creature at his ell
bow. "Softly why do you care so
much for what you have already mort
gagged Youare half mine already; do
you know that ?''
1T is false said old Hiram. 81
cheat no man. 1 belong to the church,
and / subscribed $50 to the missionaries
year ago"
f,ha do ri ,,,a,, r,ri,, od -, - t,,.>,,