Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-08-15

0
men were directing the hose upon the
I flames.
Once on this vantage point, my mind
reverted To the white chest. Was it
still there's Yes; the flames, through
bursting out from all the windows Of the
upper stories, back and front, had not
yet done more than wrench and crack
portions Of the glass case. For time
it seemed as ii this would be the most
that would happen, The water seemed
TO be getting the upper hand, and as 1t
\ fell in torrents on the hot roof, such
/ clouds OF steam were thrown up with
the smoke as would have completely
hidden everything from view, bat that
our position had been Skillfully selected
and was well to windward Of the burn
ing mass. Bat presently amid the roar
OF the flames there came dull heavy
rumble for II moment, and then with \
4 tremendous crash the roof fell iii.
With it Of course went the fragments
and framework Of the glass case, and
now the charred and blackened chest
itself. had my eyes upon 1t At the
moment, and down 1t went deep into
the obscurity of the dense smoke and
steam which always succeeds to this
climax Of contiagraton. For several
minutes nothing was to be discerned
through the overwhelming wreaths of
black gray fumes. But presently,
though the light from the fire had been
quenched, there began To be visible by
the aid Of the increasing light Of the
morning, the depths ofthis pit of Ac-
heron. Yet il was NOT So deep after all,
for the fire having originated on the
second floor, the falling roof had only
crashed down rs yet rs far as the draw
ing-room, and there, when my eyes had
become accustomed to the spectacle of
the understandable debris, plainly be-
held, resting slantways across stub
born remnant of wall what had been the
white chest; it was now split and
smashed, and It's contents were re-
vealed.
Good heavens what was is il that |
| looked down upon? | turned my face
away for the moment with shudder,
for there, protruding through the splin-
tered fragments eff its once creamy
white wooden case, was Il huge leaden
coffin, which III its turn melting and
bursting with the heat, displayed within
the unmistakable form OF shrouded
corpse! was i'll the act OF drawing
my companions attention to it i'll hor-
ror, when suddenly there flew up around
il with redoubled fury such mass al
flame and smoke that it was entirely
hidden, and soon the fire had spread
and burst ont again, that the horrible
spectacle OF tins unintentional mere.
nation was shut from sight, and the
house was finally burned to the ground
pass over what Immediately fol-
lowed after had made my way back
to my friendly abode where the mem.
bers of my family were snugly shell
tered. In u few days they were settled
again i'll another home, fortunately not
very much the worse for the terrible
scare. In due course the time arrived
for looking into my losses, and when
was doing so | received letter from
Mr.. Gayling, who had come to town
requesting an interview. ! was glad 0
this, for foresaw it must lead to som,
explanation of the strange circum
stances surrounding the agreement
had signed. My curiosity rs to tn,
contents of the white chest had beer
rudely satisfied, it is true, but what haC
been the reason OF placing such an oh
ject in such place? And this | was
determined to find out. Unexpectedly
Mr.. Gayling disclosed t to me immedi
ately we met. 81 have asked for thi,
interview, sir" he said, abruptly, "be
cause ! am ruined man.
But" | interposed, ~ am told yor
were fully insured
chat has nothing to do with it," h,
answered. mo insurance can restor,
the s. .003 wear which lose by wha
has happened. | am simply going t
tell you certain facts; because wher
you have heard them ] shall put il tt
you whether you will or not, on YOU
ample means, feel that some compensa
ton is due to me. The fact is that i
has been during your tenancy of my
house, and through accident or negli
} gence on the part ofsome one for whom
! you are responsible, that my ruin hai
been brought about"
Il don't understand YOU"
"Listen, sir" he went on, "and you
will. was brought up to the sea, anC
followed it till mid-life, for ! was en-
tirely dependent on my own earnings
My only relative at this time was an ole
uncle, also sailor, and most eccen
trio man, as you will presently see
Fifteen years ago he suddenly came
into large sum of money; never
knew how, but he retired and took tha
house. He had only been in it three
years when mortal sickness overlook
him; he sent for me. Tom, said he
L am dying, and don't like il, not SC
much at the thought Of death, as at the
thought Of burial; sailors grave
would not mind, but TO be boxed W
aud thrust into the earth no, Tom, ]
won't stand it, | look To you to SEE
that it doesn't happen. I've made my
will, Tom; I've left you all ! possess
but on one condition, and it is that you
are my heir SO long as am well above
ground, and no longer-mark the words
well above ground. Directly / am
buried, or my remains are allowed Il
mingle with mother earth, as she il
called-she was no mother TO me, the