The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1878-08-17
@whot office would contain such quaint

what it now holds. As for the time, you
may come with me tonight 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 -briihnied hat
over his eyes and seized his guld-headed
cane with nervous grasp of his right hand.
"Lead the way" he said; "lead the way;
I'd follow you if you were going to the
moon."
The stranger only grinned and passed cut
of the door before him.
At the gate stood small vehicle, black as
ink, and capable of containing only two
persons A small, elf-like poney was fasten-
ed to its shafts, and little black boy held
the reins. Hiram glanced doubtfully to the
shabby turnout, but, in compliance to a nod
from his fellow traveller, stepped in and took
his seat besides him. If the shaggy 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
a 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 ola
little piece of woodland.
Your office seems to be in strange To-
cality," muttered old Hiram, suspiciously.
Not at ALL" replied the little man in
green /" only we are going by the under
ground way, so as not to attract attention"
"Ah !" said old Hiram well, this does
seem to be an underground passage, sure
enough |" for they were turning now into a
sort of cave, and only one faint ray of light
in the far distance saved them from being
wrapped in utter darkness. 81 shall be
glad when | am safe at home again." he
added, to himself. How do know where
this fellow is taking me?"
But even as he spoke the distant light
grew larger, and the carriage paused at an
iron-bound door with grating in the top,
through which fell O red glare, like that of a
fame from the chimney of a pottery on a
dark night.
"Ths is our Office" said the little man in
green and old Hiram followed him as he
leaped from the crazy vehicle, which sud-
denly disappeared in a most mysterious
manner.
A rap at the door summoned dark Wis
aged man, who admitted them without par
ley, and old Hiram Gormley stood in veri-
table counting-house, the most spacious
which had ever met his eyes. He glanced
down the rows of diligent clerks, all dressed
in black, and oil engaged in making entries
! in immense iron-bound volumes; at the
huge fire. which he could see reflected on
the roof through a wide grating in the dis
tance, 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 very center 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 supple,
snake-like ease in his movements, and his
feet were singularly shaped, and covered
with shoes that suggested either the gout or
bunions.
"Mr. Gorlnley," said the little man in
green, "Mr. Gormley, partner. He has
come to 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 light which must have
been reflected from the fire beyond, it was
go red and horrible.
Old Hiram Gormley shuddercd involun-
tarily, as, addressing himsolfto his two COM
panions, he saidi "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 approach.
Light up, boys, light upl"
And at the words a myriad Of torches far
ed down a seemingly-interminable vista
and Hiram looked upon myriads and my
riads Of barrels, stretching away until they
faded into mere specks in the distance.
" Full of flour, 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 ofthem, 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 agree. Tell me your terms?"
gasped Hiram, neryously.
"They are very easy" said the tall man
in black. "sit down, ifyou please. Here
is the pen, ink and paper, and the docu,
ment"
Hiram seized the paper and conned II
rapidly, growing white and cold as he read