The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1878-07-19

munity at his feet
There, don't say any more You take
my breath away. Selwin? He's no more
Selwin than you are. His name is Pollock.
and he's humbug Five thousand year,
eh ? Why, could buy and sell him for |
five.dollar bill, and have packet of small |
change left over?'
You must be mistaken He certainly has |
spends any amount of IT,
NO, cant be wrong | know him of
old. He makes some money-made some
out of me blythe cheapest kind of a swindle,
and I'll give him fall now. Wait till
chance comes, Pll astoni.h him.
After dinner we were smoking our cigars
in front Of the honse, when Selwin lounged
out. As he came down the steps, Colwell
hailed him
'Hallos Pollock Bill Pollock
lie was startled, sure enough. His con-
fusion was evident enough to excite atten-
ton from all present. Colwell had made
a telling shot, but it was prematurely
discharged, and the conqueror was too
much for us yet. Old Tamden came along
at the moment, and, seeing Selwin's en-
barrassment, asked him what was the mat
ter
Your name isn't Pollock, is it% said
he.
The cool impassability of the young man
returned, and with the sweetest sincerity he
explained that he had a twin brother closely
resembling himself, who, under the assumed
name of Pollock, was leading a ruinous,
disorderly life.
lie has always been a trouble to the
family said injured innocence, and hearing
his name suddenly has disturbed me. l
fancied he might have come here to worry
me into giving him money, as he sometimes
does
All this, said with a perfect air of truth,
and coming from the admired and respected
Selwin, carried conviction to the public mind
at once. Even Colwel was staggered, and
thought it might be true.
Selwn's triumph, then, was complete
The anti-Selwin party was annihi'ated, and
he was more popular than ever.
Under pretext of passing part of his
time with his invalid mother, this young
gentleman absented himself from Belle Lake
every Wednesday night, returning on Satur.
day. My belief was that he then transacted
some business Of more or less questionable
nature, and that the money he spent so free
ly was earned-or made, by hook or by
crook, out of somebody-from week to week
saw, however, that it was of no use to at.
tempt to overthrow him, this season, al
Belle Lake and, as business required my
return to town, gave up the whole affair.
Susie and her mother remained some time
longer, and from occasional reports l learned
that Selwin's success with the poor girl was
considered indubitable. Feeling sure thai
she was being deluded into marriage thai
could only bring miserable disappointment
to herself and family, determined to make
one more effort to prevent it. Susie was toe
nice girl to throw herself away on such 9
fellow, and in the capacity of ami dc
familie, thought l would take the affair in
my own hands.
With this intention l sought the Swamp
and found my friend Colwell. Inquired o
him the particulars of his relations with tht
Bill Pollock he had mentioned, and tht
swindle practced upon him by that person
Pm almost ashamed to tell you abou
that, said Colwell but if you think my
experience will be of any value to you yor
are welcome. This Pollock, or Selwin, OF
whoever he is, is spiritual medium
year or so ago heard so many stories abou
his wonderful tests that Treadley and
concluded to go and see what he amounted
to. We went to his rooms in Amity street
tended the door told us it was necessary t
make an appolr tment, as Mr.. Pollock's tim
was always engaged for two or three days il
advance We put down our names, paid ou
tleman's rule, and, when the time came
went to see him. Treadey backed out, bu
| thought ! might as well get my money
worth. Pollock was a very quiet, polit
young fellow, the very image of that Sc
win, except that he wasn't quite so muc
of a swell, and didn't squeak his words ou
like a sick mouse. He did some very strang
things, and told me some news from the 9th
ell world which might or might not have bee
true. Finally, when he had got me prett
well interested, and good deal surprised,
offered to produce a portrait of my mother
who had been dead about eight year
There is no picture of her in existence, an
| have always wanted one, so | agreed I
pay him $50 in advance, like double dune
as was, if he would produce one. He too
the money, and told me to call at the end {
a month, when the portrait would be read
for me. | did so, and found an easel in tn
room, with picture upon it, carefully GOV
cred up. Pollock made great ado removin
the drapery, and when he had done place
at it. 1t was frightful daub, such as yo
may see in any of the cheap picture auctions
a picture ola young girl with long hair fal
ing over her shoulders, and her hands CLASP
ed over her breast. | was taken all abacl
but Pollock was equal to the occasion. 'Yo
are surprised says he, to see her represente
so young and beautiful, but this you mu,
remember is the way she now looks in he
present celestial state + l think he cam
very near getting knocked across the room
just then but, somehow, he contrived I
slip out as he spoke, and was left with m
spiritual art speculation, which l incont
nently thrust into the CRATE" The boy ou
side opened the door for me very politel!
but he needn't have done sol felt sma
enough to creep through the keyholep
And you never tried to recover anythin
from Pollock p
No, was heartily ashamed of the who
business
is he still in the city
II uuaaa