Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1878-09-11

Hush :" whispered the little man
"there is an underground passage and
a cellar or vault capable of containing
ten times the amount it now holds. AS
for The time, you may come with mG
tonight, if you want to; all hours are
the same to my partner and me-"
The words were scarcely out of his
mouth ere Hiram Gormley mad hurried
on his overcoat, dashed his broad
brimmed hat over his eyes and seized
his gold-headed cane with nervous
grasp of his right hand. Lead the
way" he said; lead the way; I'd fol-
low you ifyou 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, elf-like
pony was fastened to its shafts, and a
little black boy held the reins. Hiram
glanced dOubtfully at the shabby turn
out, but in compliance to nod from his
fellow-traveler. stepped in and took his
seat beside him. If the shaggy pony
was small and unpromising to look at.
he was nevertheless as fleet of foot as
any racehorse, 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 coun-
try road and paused at the margin of a
little piece of woodland.
"Gour Office seems TO be in a strange
locality" muttered old Hiram, suspi-
ciOusly.
Not at ALL" replied the little man
in green; "only we are going by the
underground way, so as not TO attract
attention."
"Ah"' said old Hiram: "well, this
does seem TO be an underground pas
sage, sure enOugh.'' for they were
turning now into sort of cave, and
only one faint ray of light in the far
distance saved them from being
wrapped in utter darkpess. 81 shall be
glad when | am safe 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 stopped
at an iren bound door with a grating on
top, through which fell red glare,
/ like that from the flame of chimney
of 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.
\ rap at the door summoned dark
visaged man who admitted them with
out parley, and Hiram Gormley stood
in a veritable counting room, 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 through wide grating In the dis
ltllNt. anu
in the way of lamps and candles unne-
| cessary, and then turned towards a
all, dark man, who strobe towards him
from the very centre of the glowing
light. He was dressed in black, and
his hair was bound together in an old
fashioned cue. There was a sort of
supple, snake-like ease in his move
ments, and his feet were singularly
shaped, and that suggested 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 tall man. you are
very welcome, Mr.. GOrmley. | have
no doubt we shall come to terms Gen
tlemen, this is Mr.. Hiram Gormley,
with whose name you are so well ac-
quainted, 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: "Can l
see this flour of which you have been
speaking?"
Certainly, sir" said the taller of
the two, as he flung open narrow door
to his right and beckoned Hiram 10 ap-
proach. "Light up, boys, light up.'
AT these words a myriad of torches
flashed down a seemingly interminable
vista; and Hiram looked uron myriads
and myriads of barrels, stretched 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 of
them. Hiram Gormley; when you can
starve ten million 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, nervously-
.'They are very easy" replied the
tall man in black. Sit down if you
please. Here are the pen, ink and
paper. and the document"
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:
"My soul. Promise to give you my
soul! In the name of the fiend, who
are you?"
"Your humble servant" said the
black creature, bowling, and Hiram
Gormley saw a cloyen foot peeping
r-o,x, ,ha ouaar noot and diSfin OfliS he'd