Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1879-09-11
DR.. CASPAR'S EXPERlMEN
by MRS. e. DURKE CoLLlNs.

"And if you don't believe it." said DR..
Caspar, as | loungcd in his Office, in New
Orleans, one evening, "just try it yourself!"
lie held up bottle us lie srokc, tiny
vial, half full of strange emerald green
fluid. Drawing himself up to his full six
feet, ho looked quizzically at me, where l
smoked and loupged in his open window.
"Lynn Thortop," he went on, smile
touching his lip. "I'm tired of seeing you
so blue and distrat Cheer up, man, YOU
look as if you were going to your own fu-
neral! Just try the virtue of this dccoction,
and sec if have over estimated its strange
power! 1t is perfectly harmless; have I
not experimental On myself with it? It is
rare and wonderful drug, which procured
whilc travelling in Iudia, that land of Curl
osities. 1t certainly possesses the power to
elevate the faculties, and cxhilaratc the
senses; something c7cn moro subtle than
hasheesoh, while still retaining some of tho
properties of that uncanuy drug. One
drop Of this liquid and you forget your
troubles 1t has none of the dcbasing
effects OF opium; and when its influences
passes away it leaves the system light and
care free, and you are new man. Try it,
Thorntoo?"
wv ioi luc CIlcu. IL u 1u-
nit, Caspar, l an trile blue; who can
marvel thercat? Fortune frowns on every
side; you know lit never rains but it pours!
I'm poor, struggling artist, over head and
ears 10 debt; the woman | love is separated
from me by designing mother; because |
am poor, Rose Denbcrgh aud must hence
forth be strangers. Then, lastly, my pic
ture-the dream of my life-thc iopc
which has been to me like star in q dark
cned sky, while worked and toilcd over it
day after day-it is consigned to an out of
the way corner in the exhibition so, Of
course that dream is but smoke aud ashes.
Sec hcre!"
turned my pockets inside out, lugubri-
ously disclosing pile of bills, duns in
every shape. Caspar whstled.
"Bad!' ho remarked sententously with
shake Of his head. "}ut, then, nothiuc
is SO bad in this vale of tears, Thornton,
but what misfortune can 90 one better; ia
other words, nothing is go bad but it might
DO worse"
"llumph" responded drily. "Scc," |
added as | chanced to turn my eyes towards
the open window. A carriage was dashing
by-a shining, stylish cqupage, livcricd
driver, pair of high stepping bays. Its
occupants were dark, ficrcc-looking man,
sitting uts-a-vis with haughtyslooking old
lady in black silk and velvet, her gray
hairs in crimps aud puifs, pair of gold
Eyeglasses surmounting her Roman nose.
At her side girl--a palcr, weary looking
girl-attircd in bewitchng costume Of
amber and black, her Dyes list!essy scanning
tho passcrs by-Sbut full well | knew evcry
shadow in theirFfoycly gray depths. 1t was
Rose Denbcrgh and her mother; the man
was Colonel Dunnington, possessor of
handsome fortune, and Mrs. Donbergh's
choice as son.n-aw. The carriage passed,
Rose lifted her eyes to the open window
where 1 sut; wave Of color dashed athwart
her white face; she bowed and smiled. |
saw her mothers look of freezing disap-
proval; then the coachman touched tho
horses with his whip, and they were out of
sight. "Such is lfe!" / remarked sarcas-
tically, "and stone wall can sever two
lives as cffectually as though oceans rolled
betwcen!"
"positivcly, Lynn, you're getting dabol,
ical!" laughed my friend, turning to the
sidcboard which occupied one corner of the
room, and pouring some wine into q glass.
"Hcrc, my boy, drink and be merry, for
your visagc is as long and gloomy as dull
sermon"
I drank the wine mechanically, and threw
myself down on velvet sofa, cigar between
my teeth. DR.. Caspar opened huge vol
umo, and seated himself near me. Silence
roisncd in tho little Office. Through nv
half closed cyelids ] watched Caspar's face,
and observed then for the first time that lie
was looking pale and anxious. Ho seemed
to feel my gaze upon him, and glanced over
tho top of his book.
lynn" he said, in low tone, which
penetrated every corner of the office into
which the shadows Of twilight wcro now
slowly beginning to creep, 81 have some
thing to toll you, secret to share with YOU,
my best frienda secret that no other man
in New Orleans will ever sharc-and one
that will help us to famo and fortune, and
accomplish much good to our fellow mcu.
Lynn, would you like to mako money!"
Tho question seemed a oatiro.
"Oh, no, Of course not" drawlcd iron
ioaily.
Caspar smiled.
s"Well," said he, tossing his book upon
tho table near, ~ will share my secret with
you--but on condition that you assist me in
carrying out my schemes, and there's some
danger to be encountered, III confess; will
you promise?
I know not what his schemes might be,
but felt reckless and desperate was
poor and despiscd; some ono had told nc
that very day that ina mouths time Rose