Daily globe., 1879-02-09

VIC LAVISH use OF GaEeS gOld, YET Eugene's
fair fame was tarnished. Nobody knew who
reputable charge anyhow, and the young
man found himself an object of distrust and
suspicion everywhere.
II am sick of this" said he, one day to him.
self and myself; Eugene Lisle is bad name.
1t has fallen into bad company, and he who
bears it is worse than dead. I wish he were
really So"
"Then, why the deuce don't you die:" asked
Charley; 'we will help you"
What do you mean?'
"Simply that I have an idea. Stand ur
alongside of George there-so; that's it-yes
-yes-I think can do is'
do what?"
"Never mind; I'll show YOU"
"6ut what did you want us to stand up to-
gether for?"
''Only to see whether you could be made tc
little artistic making up, could fix it SC
that George could be mistaken for YOU"
We're not unlike'
mo. Now want you to write a note to
John Gage, in trembling hand"
John Gage? What for?' :"
must copy it." =
Charles sat down and wrote few lines
when Eugene copied in faint and irregular
hand. They were as follows:
MIR. GAGE: am upon my death-bed, and
wish to see you 1 haye something import
ant to say, and cannot live but few hours.
EUGENE LIsLE."
"Now prepare yourself for long journey,
TO any place where you can 90 comfortable
until old Gage dies-he can't live forever OF
until this cursed affair if forgotten"
II am prepared already. I have unpacked
none Of the baggage / took South with me- ]
can start OFT at two hours notice."
Wen, get every thing ready, for you must
go Tomorrow"
The arrangements were soon made for a
trip to st. Louis; and the name of Eugene
Hawthorne was adopted by the young man
as new title, under which he hoped for a
ueW life, with new fortunes.
Nov" said Charely, "let me get you up for
dying man, ana then do you 50 to bed, while
l go and bring Gage"
A little chalk and India-ink made caday.
erous-looking subject of Eugene-who, poor
boy. was almost pale enough in his normal
condition. He went to bed after receiving his
cue from Charley concerning his reception of
Gage, and was stationed in the next room,
where could see and hear without being
seen or heard.
In half an hour Gage was brought in, look.
ing disappointed that he was about to have
his revenge cut short by his victims death.
"Ah, Mr.. Gage" said Eugene family, ''you
have come, eh? hardly expected you"
You wished to speak with me-"
Yes. | want you to fo1giye me before I
die. l can not leave this world with ill-feel-
ing for any one: You have injured me severe.
so by me, also?''
The hard-faced old stockbroker relaxed a
little. Poor Eugeune seemed so weak-so
near to deaths doOr-.hat he felt as if his
hatred ought to die with its victim; so after
lengthy death:bed scene, which Charley
rendered as painful as possible by his remarks
and by-play-at the great risk of making the
dying man !augh--Gage pardoned his foe,
gave him his hand: and promised to attend
his funeral.
Two hours afterward Eugene Lisle was no
more, but Eugene Hawthorn was en- route for
st. Louis.
The next morning Charley Hale called up
on me, and got me to accompany him to an
undertaker's. There he purchased hand
some mahogany coffin, and had it conveyed
to the lodgings Eugene had occupied since
his return from the South. He then sent
word to Gage that the invalaid was dead, and
would be buried the afternoon following.
The death was duly announced in the papers,
signed Charles Hale, NJ: D." stating that
''the deceased, Eugene Lisle, died on the
night OF Wednesday, at eleven O'clock of ner-
vOus fever."a 3
e, Now for your part Of the Drama" said he.
II want you to shave as nearly like Eugene
as possible, and let me get you up for his
cod corpse" We won't bury you, but we
shall have to come pretty near it.'
submitted myself into his hands, like a
lamb being led to the shambles, and in short
time was shaved, and whitened, and touched
up with 1ndia-ink, like bad photograph,
until bore quite strong resemblance to a
dead Lisle. The family in the house were
strong sympathizers with Eugene, and lent
all their aid to the deception. was presently
1a1d @ out,dressed in alsuit OF Eugene's clothing,
lett by him for the purpose, and was carefully
placed inIthe coffin, ,uponIthe lid OF which Char
ley had fastened good limitation of a silver
plate made OF tinfoil, to the effect that "Eu-
gene Lislie, aged twenty-five years and two
months, died on of January, 49,"
l had never been in a coffin before, and
hope that shall find my occupancy of one
more comfortable. The position was unpleas-
ant, and the thoughts that it gave rise to
were decidedly somber. Eugene had a few
distant relatives living, but, fortunately, no
near or dear ones. The secret was too grave
to be intrusted to any save those who have to
take part in the arrangements, and Charley
accordingly gave it out far and wide that all
who wished to see the remains of the Young
man must come to the funeral.
This was a grand affair. The minister
firmly believed that was dead, and so did all
present with the exception OF the undertaker's
man, the family who kept the house, the driys
er Of the hearse, Charley and myself.
l thought the ceremonies would never end.
My back and legs were frightfully stiff. My
shoulders ached-the coffin, being open only
over the face, was terribly close, and smelled
OF new varnish strong enough to sicken me.
Then l was so afraid that Bertha-Who was
present with her husband, anc who believed
eugene to be dead-would get up scene and
discover the truth, that trembled every time
any body approached the table where I lay.
Charley came up, and bending down to take
a last look, whispered to me:
II say old boy, the lid isn't screwed down
get along as best you can till the hearse
the coffin!"
This operation took about five minutes;
and II 1t had taken three more they might
great propriety-for should have been stihed
to DEATH
AS soon as found myself fairly in the
hearse, lifted the lid from nv face and
breathed freely again. AS the vehicle drove
away raised the rest of the lid of, got out of
the coffin and found a note from Charley on
the floor of the hearse, in conspicuous place
where couldn't have helped seeing it.
This note contained instructions; and, in
accordance with them, took a quantity of
iron bars, which had been slowed away be-
forehand in the front part of the hearse, and
placed them in the coffin in such a manner
that they could not rattle about This gave
weight to the illusion of those who lift
ed it. l then found screw-driver in the
corner of my vehicle, and with it fastened the
roof OF my quondam mahogany resting place
securely down.
This done, coiled myself up in comfort
able position, lit a cigar, and, on the whole,
rather enjoyed the ride
undertaker's man contrived to stand at the
end OF the hearse, so as to conceal its opening
while the coffin was being drawn out; and as
soon as that operation was concluded, they
disposed the curtain SO as to hide me from