The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1878-06-20

AZ The gste stood smAll vehicle, black
a. lax, and capAble of containing only
two persous, A small elflike pony was
fastened 10 its shafts, aud litlle black
boz heldihe reins Hiram glanced doubt.
falls 10 ibe shabby turnout, but, 10 COM
pIisuc 10 4 nod from Lik fellow traveller,
stepped a and took bic sea- beside him.
II The shaggy pony was small aud IN.
promising 70 look 81, be was nevertheless
as feet Of foot as any race horse, aud the
diugy vehicle spun along st rate which
made Old Hiram cling TO The sides with
both hands and shut bis eyes that be
might not grow giddy, until, passing
from the village, Il turned down tho
broad country road, and paused at the
margin Of little piece OF woodland.
Your oiiioe seems to be in strange To-
callty, muttered old Hiram, suspiciousIy.
Not at al, replied the little man in
green; only we are going BY the under
ground way, 80 as not TO attract atten-
ton
Ah. said old nifami we'll, this does
seem 10 be au underground passage, sure
enoughl for they were turning now into
a sort Of cave, aud only one iaint ray Of
light in the far distance saved them from
being wrapped in utter darkness !
shall be glad when am safe home again,
he added, to himself. How do | know
where this fellow Is taking mes
But even as he spoke the distant light
grew larger, aud the carriage paused at
an iron.bound door with grating In the
top, through which fell re glare, like
that of fame from the chimney of a pot
terry on dark night.
This is our Office, said the little man in
green, and old Hiram followed him as he
lesped from the crazy vehicle, which sud-
denly disappeared in a most mysterious
a rap at the door summoned dark
visaged man, who admitted them without
parley, aud old Hiram Gormley stood in
a yeritable countiug.house, the most spa
cious which bad ever met his eyes. He
glanced down the rows OF dilligent clerks
all dressed in black, and all engaged in
making entries In immense iron-bound
volumes; at the huge fire, which be could
see reflected on the roof through a wide
grating in the distance, and which rem
dered anything in the way of lamps and
candles unnecessary; and then turned
towards a tall, dark man, who strobe
toward him from the very center Of the
glowing light. lie was clad in black,
and his hair was bound together in an
cue. There was sort of
supple, snake-like ease in his movements
and his feet were singularly shaped, and
covered with shoes that suggested either
The gout or bunious.
Mr Gorrnlap said che little man in
green, Mr.. Gormley, partner. He has
come 10 inspect our stock of -four; he'd
like to buy it in.
He would like to buy it in, would he?
said the new conner. You are very well
come, Mr.. Gormley. have no doubt we
Shall come TO terms. Gentlemen, 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,
bowing, turned upon him their hollow,
blood-shot eyes, filled with q light which
must have been reflected from the fire be-
yond, 1t was so red and horrible.
Old Hiram Gormley shuddered invol-
as, addressing himself TO his
two companions, he said Can see this
flour Of which You have been speaking
Certainly, sir, replied the taller Of the
two, as he flung open narrow door to
his right and beckoned Hiram to ap.
proach. Light up, boys, light up
And at the words myriad OF torches
Jared down seemiugly-intcrmiuable
vista; aud Hiram looked upon myriads
and myriads OF barrels, stretching away
until they faded into mere specks in the
distance.
Fun of -four, from the very first brand
down to the poorest; not another barrel
left IN the market. You can have the up
per hand of he whole of them, Hiram
Gormlcy; when you eau starve ten mil.
lions il you Ike to do so. Do you close
the bargain, or shall we send for some
one elsc2
Hushl agree. Tell me your terms |!
gasped Hiram, neryously.
They are very easy, said the tall man 10
black Sit down, II you please. Here is
the pen, ink aud paper, and the docu-
ment.
Hiram seized the paper and co1ned it
rapidly, growing white and cold as be
read on. At last be flung i from bin
and screamed.
My SOUL Promise 10 give you my soul !
Iu the name Of the 1end, who are your
Your humble sefyantl said the black
clad creature, bowingi and Hiram
Gormley saw a cloyen foot peeping from
the queer boot and disiinguishedIthe per-
fume Of birthstone
Let me 90! he said. Let me go!
Softly! said the creature at his elbow /.
Softly why DO you care 50 much for
Whist yoa have already morigaged? You
are halt mine already, do you know that
Il Is false said old Hiram. | cheat no
man; belong to the church; and snb.
scribed $50 to the missionaries year
sgo
The dark being grInned coutcmptuous.
iy. Bring me Mr. Gormley's box, be