Sharp County record., 1878-11-14

Tom Brady" said the stranger, seating
himself before the stove. "By the
way, what name do you 60 under now?
Turned honest in your old age, ehp"
The old man glared at him like wild
beast at bay.
"Don't play with me, Mike" he
said, hoarsely. "You know me of old.
1 am dangerous, man."
"Cool down." returned Mike, cross
ing his legs, and looking old Marble
head straight in the eyes. "I'm not
here to play with you. You've given
me the slip for six years, and, to Judge
from appearances, you seem to have
prospered. l haven't. I'm pretty near
ly played out, and must ask you to put
me on my legs again. First of all, give
me something to eat"
Marblehead placed some meat and
bread on the table, and waited silently
until his unwelcome VISITORS appetite
was satisfied.
"That young lady was very like an
old acquaintance of mine," said Mike
at last, throwing himself back in his
chair.
Old Marblehead shuddered, and hid
his face with his hands.
"Just like Jack Geary," continued
Mike, musingly. GAS fine fellow as
ever breathed was Jack, but little too
fond of knocking about the world. |
first met him in Mexico, sixteen years
ago, when he went gold hunting with
friend of mine called Tom Brady. Three
weeks after, riding from San Antonio to
Bexar, found Jack Geary, dead and
doubled up, lying alongside the track,
and Tom Brady's knife was up to the
hilt in his heart"
Old Marblehead groaned.
"I've got that knife now," resumed
Mike, drawing it from his pocket, and
passing his thumb over the edge. "This
is the second time | have shown it to
Tom Brady"
Marblehead jumped up with an oath,
but Mike was on his legs as soon as he,
and held the murderous weapon men,
acingly.
"Be reasonable" said the visitor, as
soon as his host sat down, "and don't
try to run away from me again. | don't
think any the worse of you for giving
Jack Geary his quietus, and since you
have taken such care of his daughter |
can't see why his ghost should haunt
you as it seems to do. I'll settle down
here, become partner in your concern,
and marry your charming prOtege.
Hand down the brandy, old one, and
let's make night of it."
When Alice and Ralph returned from
service, Mike was introduced to them
as Mr.. Theophilus Broughton, an Irish
gentleman, not long in the country.
Mr.. Theophilus Broughton soon cut
figure in Pittsburg. He exchanged
his shabby clothes for Others of fash
ionable cut and excellent quality, placed
gold watch in his fob, put on clean
linen, and appeared to be a gentleman
of 40 or something under, we'll man
nered and we'll educated. Henceforth
Marblehead's business was advertised
as conducted by Marblebead & Brough-
ton, and people wondered why the old
man took partner at all.
Very soon Ralph Peaton found that
every thing, save Alice, was changed.
Ike Marblehead commenced to drink
deeply, neglect his business, and avoid
the society of his clerk, who instinctively
discovered in Mr.. Theophilus Brough-
ton bad, bold man and an enemy.
The gentleman proved to be an excel
lent man of business, and under his
management the store become so profit
able that Marblehead, recovering his
confidence, and feeling convinced that
Broughton, for his own sake, would not
betray him, became reconciled to the
possessor of his terrible secret, left Oft
drinking, and thought alone of money
making.
The year expired, and Ralph demand
ed the fulfllment of Marblehead's
promise, but he was put off for another
six months, and the embarrassed man.
ner of the old man made him fear that
there was some underhand work going
on.
Broughton wished to discharge the
clerk at once, but Marblehead would not
permit him to carry out his wishes for
some time.
"The lads done no harm," he said;
"let him stay"
But Broughton was not to be thwart-
ed. One fine morning Ralph found a
note on his desk, telling him that the
firm of Marblehead & Broughton had
no further need of his services, and that
any engagement existing between him
and Alice was thereby rendered null
and void. Angry and wildwith despair,
as you may Judge he was, Ralph taxed
Broughton with malice and treachery,
and asked to see old Marblehead, and
was finally tumbled headlong out of the
store after spelling Mr.. Broughton's