Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1881-12-10


channels, and did not once attempt to
pump me further. We got to Grafton
at half past ten, and to my surprise he
announced that he was to stop in the
town on business for few days. I
had not asked his name or vocation,
while he knew everything about me.
We went to the hotel, had dinner, and
then I secured lively team and drove
out, getting through with the business
so that was back to take the half-past
two express East. My friend was on the
porch of the hotel as drove up, carry
ing that same honest, dignified face.
"Well, did you find out?" he inquired
in his pleasant way.
"It's on the 18th, as ! expected" 1
replied.
We had lunch together and when we
shook hands and parted had no more
idea of seeing him again than have of
knowing you. AT parting he gave me
his card. 1t was a modest piece of
pasteboard, and bore the name of "Geo.
Raleigh" IN script.
Everything at the office went on as
usual, and the 18th came at length.
| Law & Law had arranged for me to go
upon it as a business of no special inl-
portance.
"We know you are all right" re-
marked the senior partner, as 1 was
about to go; "but I want to give you
word of warning, nevertheless.
Don't take any strangers into your con-
! fidence until you have passed out the
money, and look out who sits next to
YOU"
1t was something new for him to eau
| ton me, and could not but wonder at
it but in the hustle of getting on board
the train forgot what he said. Ordi-
nary prudence had induced me to place
the money, which was all in bank bills,
and divided into three packages, where
the deft hand of pick-pocket could
not reach it.
Interested in a newspaper, time flew
by as the train flew West, and, at length,
the hoarse voice of the brakeman warned
me that l had reached Grafton. / had
leaped down and was making my way
to the livery stable when l heard ia
miliar voice, and looking up to see
Raleigh. He was seated in buggy, and
had, seemingly, waited for me to
come up.
Don't express your SURPRISE" he
began, as I stopped at the wheel. 81
did intend to go away, but I changed
my mind, and like this section so well
that I am going out to-day to look at a
farm, with view of purchasing. Come,
ride up to the hotel"
We rode up, ordered lunch, and
while we were discussing it Mr.. Raleigh
discovered that the farm he was going
to see was Just beyond the Scripts.
How fortunate 1 could ride ont
with him to see the farm, and return in
his company, and he would be greatly
pleased.
I was also pleased. If anyone had
told me, as we got into the buggy, that
George Raleigh meant to return with
my money in his pocket and my blood
upon his hands, I should have believed
him a lunatic. And yet George Ra-
leigh had planned to do that very same
thing.
1t was lovely day in June, and the
cool breeze and the sight of meadows
and green groves made my heart grow
larger.
My companion was very talkative, but
he didn't even hint at my errand.
80, excuse me-" he exclaimed, after
we had passed mile or so beyond the
village and were among the farm
houses, 81 should have offered You this
before"
He drew from his pocket small
flask of wine and handed it to me.
Now, / was temperate in regard to
drinks. In fact, 1 detested the sight
and smell of any thing intoxicating; but
l had not the moral courage to tell him
so and hand back the flask undisturbed.
I feared to offend him, and so drank,
perhaps, three good swallows. He
called my attention to the woods ON the
left, as he received back the flask, and
when / looked around again he was
just removing it from his mouth, as if
he had drank heartily.
In about five minutes I began to feel
queer. Thefences along the road seemed
to grow higher, and the trees to grow
larger; something got into my ears, go
that the rattle of the buggy sounded
long way off.
GLOW strange! why, 1 believe I am
going to be sick!'' / exclaimed, holding
on to the seat with all my might.
"You do look strange" he replied, a
sickly smile stealing over his face. 81
shouldn't wonder if it was apoplexy."
l did not suspect the game he had
played. His words were like an echo,
and his face seemed twice as large as it
usually was. My head began to snap
and crack, and was greatly frightened.
"You arc badly off," he continued,
looking into my face. ST will drive as
fast as possible and get DOCTOR"
My tongue was so heavy could not
reply. 1 clutched the seat, shut my
eyes and he put his horse at his best
pace. We met farmers team, and 1
can remember that one of the occupants
of the wagon called out to know what
allied me. Raleigh did not reply, but
urged the horse forward.
About three miles from Grafton was
a long stretch of forest, and this we
soon reached. The pain in my head
was not so violent, and 1 was not so
badly affected with opening my eyes.
had settled into sort of dumb stupor,
with brain so benumbed that had to
say to myself, 'this is a tree, this is a
stump" etc, before I could make sure
that / was not wrong. Half a mile
down the road, after we struck the for
est, and then Raleigh turned the horses
into blind road leading back into the
woods. I could not understand what