Weekly Trinity journal., 1878-07-13

INK, and capable of containing only two
persons. A small elf-like pony was fas-
tened to its shafts, and little black boy
held the reins. Hiram glanced doubt.
fully at the shabby turnout but, in com
pliance to ned from his fellow-traveler,
stepped in and took his seat before him.
If the shaggy pony was small and un-
promising to look at, he was, neverthe-
less, as fleet Of foot as any race horse,
and the dingy vehicle spun along at a
rate that made old Hiram cling to the
sides with both hands and shut his eyes
that he might not grow giddy, until, pas
sing from the village, it turned down the
broad country road, and paused on the
margin of a small piece of woodland.
" Your Office seems to be in strange
locslity,n muttered old Hiram, suspi-
eiously.
Not at all, replied the little man in
green only we are going an under
ground way, so as not to attract atten-
ton"
"Ah !" said old Hiram "well, this
does seem to be an underground passage,
sure enough |" for they were now turn
ing into a sort of cave, and only one faint
ray of light in the far distance saved
them from being wrapped in utter dark
ness. shall DO glad when am safe
home again" he added to himself. "IIow
do know where this fellow Is taking
me ?"
But even as he spoke the distant light
grew larger, and the carriage stopped at
an iron bound door with grating in the
top, through which fell red glare like
that of the namo from tho chimney of a
pottery of 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 suddenly disappeared in the most
mysterious manner.
A rap at the door summoned dark.
visaged man, who admitted them with
out parley, and old Hiram Gromley stood
in veritable counting house, tho most
spacious he had ever seen. lie glanced
down the row Of diligent clerks, all dress
ed in black, and all engaged in making
entries in immense iron bound volumes
at the huge fire which he could SEQ re.
Aectng on the roof through a wide gra-
| ting in the distance, and which rendered
anything in the way Of lamps or candles
unnecessary and then turned toward n
tall, dark man, who came toward him
from the very center of the glowing light.
lie was dressed in black, aud his hair
was bound together in an old-lashioned
cue, There was 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. Gromley," said the little man IN
green ; :" Mr.. Gromley, partner. lie has
come to inspect our stock Of -four he'd
like to buy it in"
4" lie would like to buy it In, would
he ?" said the new conner. You are
| NelJ Welcoinot 4hf' piotnioys HhNe
no doubt we shall come to terms. Cen
tlemen, this is Mr.. Hiram Gromley, with
whose name you are so we'll acquainted,
and whom you have expected so long"
AS he spoke The long row OF black clad
clerks arose with one accord, and, bow
ing, turned upon him with their hollow,
bloodshot eyes, filled with light which
must have been reflected from the fire
beyond it was so horrible.
Hiram Gromley shuddered involun-
tarly, as, addressing himself to bis two
companions, he said " Can | see this
-four Of which you have been speaking ?"
" Certainly, sir" replied the tailor OF
the two, as he flung open narrow door
to his right and beckoned Hiram 10 APP
proach. "Light up, boys, light up |"
At these words myriad Of torches
nared down seemingly interminable
vista, and Hiram looked upon myrisds
and myriads Of barrels, stretching away
until they faded into mere spscks in the
distance.
Full of fiour, from the very first brand
down to the poorest not another tarrel
left in the market. You can have the
upper hand of the whole of them, Hiram
Gromley, when you can starve ten mil
lions if you like to do so. Do you close
the bargsin, or shall we send for some
ono else ?"
"Hush | agree. Tell mo your
terms !" gasped Hiram nervously.
"They are very easy" replied the man
in black. "Sit down, il you please
Here are pen and ink, and the docu-
ment."
Hiram seized the paper and conned il
rapidly, growing white and cold as he
read on. At last no flung it from him
and screamed ;
"My soul Promise 10 give you my
soul In the name of the fend, who are
you ?"
"Your humble servant ?" said the
black-cad creature, bowing and Hiram
Gromlsy plainly saw a cloven foot peep
ing from the queer shoe and distinguished
the odor Of birthstone.
"Let me go |" he shouted, let me
go |"
"Softy % said the creature at his el-
bow. Why do you care so much fol
what you have already mortgaged ? YOU
are half mine already, do you know
that ?''
"It is false ~ said old Hiram.
cheat no man, belong to the church
and ! subscribed fifty dollars for the mis-
sionaries year ago"
The dark being grinned contemplusus-