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


meager lower limbs he wore great, mud
stained boots, world too wide for him,
and in his hand he carried cap of the
same color and material as his coat. He
looked first at old Hiram and then athis
portrait, then back again to the original
and finally stepped forward and touched
him on the shoulder.
Hiram Gormley awoke with start,
and springing to his feet, regarded him
with astonishment.
"Who are you, and what do you want
here ?" he asked in manner sufficient
ly imperative.
Who am is a matter of no impor-
tance,' replied the stranger; but am
here on business. believe you are buy
ing up flour ?"
"I am,n replied old Hiram, becoming
interested, and gracious in o moment
"Take seat, sir and let me understand
your business"
He pointed to chair, and the visitor
seated himself Immediately, crossing his
muddy boots and folding his elfin arms
upon his bosom, as he bent down his
head and peered from under his droop-
ing black brows straight into Hiram
Gormley's face.
"We have flour to SELL" he said.
We ?'' said Hiram, interrogatively.
and my partner, or, more politely
speaking, my partner and T." responded
the little man of the firm.
"I'd rather not mention names until
Pm sure that we shall come to TERMS"
continued the little man. But let me
tell you, Mr.. Gormley that such chance
has never been offered to one man be-
fore If you accept it bread will run up
to such price this year that loaf of
the better sort will be worth its weight
in gold, and rich men will give great
sums for what they now esteem as moth
ing. How many barrels do you think
we have on hand ?"
How many 2" asked old Hiram,
trembling with eagerness.
The little man bent forward and
whispered something in his ear which
made him start to his feet once
more.
$50 manyl" he cried. "Why, the
very spectators themselves will be at
my feet. shall be the richest man in
the world. I'll buy it all-all, all =
When can see it ? = when can L sign
the contractp Be quick-tell me where
all the store is hidden p''
tn, oYr ~ ff3 ~ co Ia ~ 1;t4Io ,D,ox,
What office would contain such
quantities ?" asked Hiram.
Hush!" whispered the little man
there is an underground passage and
cellar or vault capable of containing ten
times what it now holds. AS for the
time, you may come with me to-night,if
you like; all hours are the same to my
partner and me-"
The words were scarcely out of his
mouth ere Hiram Gormley had hurried
on his overcoat, dashed his broad-brim-
med hat over his eyes and seized his
gold-headed cane with nervous grasp
of the right hand. Lead the way" he
said; lead the way; "I'd follow if
You were going to the moon"
The stranger only grinned and passed
out of the door before him.
AT the gate stood small vehicle, black
as ink, and capable of containing only
two persons. A small, elflike pony was
fastened to its shafts, and little black
boy held the reins. Hiram glanced
doubtfully at the shabby turnout, but,
in compliance to nod from his fellow
traveller, stepped in and took his seat
beside him. If the shabby pony was
small and unpromising to look at, he
was nevertheless as fleet of foot as any
race horse, and the dingy vehicle spun
along at rate which made old Hiram
cling to the sides with both hands and
shut his eyes that he might not grow
giddy, until, passing from the village, it
turned down the broad country road and
paused at the margin of little piece of
woodland.
Your Office seems to be in strange
locality" muttered old Hiram suspi-
ciously.
Not at ALL replied the little man in
green; "only we are going by the un-
derground way, SO as not to attract at
tention.
All ~ said old Hiram; "well, this
does seem to bean underground passage,
sure enough ~ for they were turning
noun iYfo N ao.t - oo..~