The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1879-02-15


having something important to Telat
when Monday morning should see th,
stream of busy workers once more set
Ting with books and papers and filthy
lucre generally. One nay, two cigar,
did consume down to the last halfinch
read "Bylls on Bills" nearly through
III default of more cheerful literature
and | am afraid a tiny dOze must hav,
ensued, as / was awakened by Bennat's
voice close to me asking what / would
take for luncheon. Mechanically
liked upon the hackneyed chop, and
a pint of stout, to be fetched from
the only eating house that deigned to
Oe open for couple of hours on Sunday.
While he was gone l took the oppor-
UNITY of making my second round and
fonnd nothing but peace everh where,
with the slight exception of being star
tied by the sudden appearance of the
bank cat from the cavernOus depths of
the enormous coal cellar Eventually
returned to my room and fonnd a
succulent chop smoking upon the ta-
Die, hdnked by pewter pot of foam
ing stout, which, OD tasting, | found
unusually soft and creamy-ii deed,
tancled could detect o peculiar aroma
In the grateful beverage which seemed
to make 1t more than ordinarily palata.
Die; anyhow thoroughly enjoyed the
repast, and when all intensely slumber.
Gus sensation crept through all my
Veln', my strongest effort OF will prov
ed insufficient to keep me awake.
While was still struggling against the
impulse, Lance came to inform me that
he was going out to dine at his home
close by, while BeHnst was left on guard
below. AS lie closed the door behind
him, my eyes shut, and l fell asleep,
but only in few moments to be re.
awakened by his voice again address
ing me.
IL don't think I'll go out TO dinner,
sir, he said, gazing at me with a
strange expression.
why not" quoth /, drowsily.
Well, sir, l don't feel very bright
to- day, and I'D rather stop indoors;
and 1t you'd be SO kind as not to men.
ton to Benuet as I've come back. But
you don't look very well yourself, sir,
ust now?"
Lance, that stout has made me most
dly sleepy"
well, have bit of nap, sir. Ill
see the place is all right-Only l don't
want Bennett to know I'm here"
"A'l right, all right" | replied rath-
'r shortly, for I wanted TO be left to
myself; Yet l was somewhat surprised
1t his wish for cOncealment in SO trivial
manner.
Again l saw the man pass out and
,a:tly close the door, and once more ]
irlfte'l into heavy but pleasant slum.
'tr. Soon l was a denizrn of dream
and, and a sharer of its grOtesque aud
antastlc iniaginings. thought was
llng ng to the telegraph wires that
tretoh like webs over London. and
thereon athletic feats in im
'os,lOle positions; then flew through
lie air towards my home at Wood
ireen, spinning as went thread Ut
wire by which to return-a useless pre-
autlOn, as l was at once transported to
Myself on camel's back, careering
cross the burning plain But in my
Ireams the face OF the camel was the
ace OF the eX policeman Lance, and
yer and anon strange grating noises
eemd to br borne past us on the wind,
The pace SET med to slacken; and, as |
purred on my steed to fresh exertiOns,
seemed to feel the prick OF the TOwel
u my own flesh. 1t became sharper
nd more painful: aud g adually camel
esert, chase, faded from my vision,
nd a.. hn Il Ia. A
wakeHng senses. But though my
erill steed aud his surroundings had
lsappeared, the spur, unaccOuntably
nough, remained, As my neither limbs
we're painfully reminding me.
1t was no dream this time was
vide awake. Quickly glanciug around.
discovered Lance crOuching down be-
lde my chair, and vigorously apply lug |
pin to the calf Of my leg. To this |
rOceeding | was about to enter an in.
ignant protest, when Significant ges
uie warned me to remain mute. His |
ace was white with unwUnted excite
lent, as he rose to his feet, aud Deck. |
ming me to a small aperture In the
vail used for the transmission of DO ks |
nd papers between managers and |
Jerks bade me look upon a spectacle
hat made each individual hair upon
~ head to stand erect. The dra wer
obtaining the stamps aud gold was be-
* tampered with before my very eyes I
a broad day light. STOPPING down with
is back towards US was man softly
ut swiftly forcing the lock with CHS
!. But the man-the thiet-whO was
e? knew at a glance Il at long, lean
1rm 1t was Bennet. We both
lTank back.
Take off your boots, sir" he whis-
cred In low voice. noticed that
is own feet were shOeless. "Creep
Iund outside the counter, and wait Till
givs the wOrd-then over and help
r."
nodded assent; and then l saw
aDce crawl out upon his hands and
nees into the office, behind the shelter
long high desk, at the end Of which
3 would be within a few ieet of Bpnnet.
crept away to the other entrance Of
Ie managers room, which led into a
rge space appropriated to the public,
I'd, gliding nOisiessly along, arrived
here I knew l must be opposite the
lief at his work. Click, click, went
e chisel against the brass lock. 1t
as apparently a work of time, aud
ficulty. though the sound of crushing
OOd work betOkenpd the near accom-
ishment of the deed How long the
ne seemed Had Lance been able TO
e close to him undiscovered?
l judged SO a. the chsel still contin.
ID its grating work. Sometimes it
Opped for moment, and then knew !
at the man was watching the door of
g managers room, to see that l was
fe un Ter the influence of the narcotic
ministered in my pint of stout Click
ck, eIunchl and the whole lock ap.
AIRED to come away, the drawer being
the same time drawn softly open.
Now" thought /, "here goes"
Not yeti l could hear the mellow
ok of the small bags OF gold as they
are hurriedly transferred to the mans !
'ckets; then the stiff rustic OF many !
eets OF stamps told OF a like destlna. .
m. listened breathlessly. Sudden {
there was p yell OF mingled fright :
ID rage, aud, vaulting at one hound
ross the counter, saw Bennet fall. !
K back ward, his. throat elutcbed nv !