The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1878-10-03

bread will run up to such a price thi
year that loaf of the better sort will
be worth its weight in gold, and ricl
men will give great sums for wha
they now esteem as nothing. How
many barrels do you think we hav
on band ?
How manyf' asked old Hiram
trembling with eagerness.
The little man bent forward ant
whispered something in his ear whicl
made him start to his feet once. more
So manyl' he cried. why, tn,
very speculators themselves will be a
my feet. shall be the richest man il
the world. Ill buy it all-all, all
When can l see it?-when can sisl
the contract? Be quick-tell me wher,
all this store is hidden7'
Sin our Office said the little man.
'What Office would contain sucl
quantities asked Hiram.
Hush !! whispered the little man
there is an underground passage ani
cellar or vault capable OF containing
ten times what it now holds. AS fol
the time, yOH 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 hur.
ried on his oYercoat, dashed his broad
brimmed hat over his eyes and seized
his gold. headed cane with a nervous
grasp of the right hand. Lead the
way he said, lead the way I'd fol-
low il you were going to the moon.
The stranger only grinned and pass
ed out of the door before him.
AT the gate stood small vehicle,
black as ink, and capable of contain
ing only two persons. A small, elf
like pony was fastened to the shafts,
and little black boy held the reins.
Hiram glanced doubtfully at the shab-
by turnout, but, in compliance to a
nod from his fellow traveller, stepped
in and took seat beside him.
If the shabby pony was small and un-
promising to look at, he was never.
theless 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 a
little piece of woodland.
sYour office seems to be in strange
locality muttered old Hiram suspi-
ciously.
mot at alI,' replied the little man
in green sonly we arc going by the
underground way, so rs not to attract
attention.
sAhP said old Hiram; twell this
does seem to be an underground pass
age, sure enough = for they were turn
ing now into sort of cave, and only
one faint ray of light in the far distance
saved them from being wrapped in
utter darkness. Il shall be glad when
1 am safe home again. he added to
himself. How do know where this
man is taking me-?
And even as he spoke the distant
light grew larger, and the carriage
stopped at an iron bound door with a
grating at the top, p,through which fell a
light, like that of flame from chin
ney of a 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 vehi
Gle, which suddenly disappeared in a
most mysterious manner.
A rap on the door summoned a
dark-visaged man, W no admitted them
without parley, and old Hiram CORN.
ley stood in veritable counting house,
the most spacious that had ever met
his eyes.
He glanced down the rows of dill.
gent clerks, all dressed in black, and
all engaged in making entries in inn
mense iron-bound volumes at the
huge fire, which he could see reflected
on the roof through a wide grating in
the distance, aud which rendered any
thing in the way of lamps and candles
unnecessary and then turned toward
a tall, dark man, who strobe toward
him from the 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 move
ments, and his feet were covered with
shoes that suggested either 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
he p said the new conner. you are
very welcome, Mr.. Gormley. 1 have
no doubt We shall come to terms.
Gentlemen, this is Mr.. Hiram CORN
ley, with whose name you are SO well
acquainted, and whom you have ex-
pected 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 hor-
rible.
Old Hiram Gormley shuddered In
voluntarily, as, addressing himself to
his two companions, he said:
sCan l see this flour of which you
have been speaking?'
Certainly, SIR replied the taller OF
the three, as he flung open narrow
door to his right and beckoned Hiram
to approach. Light up, boys, light
upp