St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1882-01-07

from Ola scrip, VINO lives SUulu VI vi d.
ton about five miles. The stranger had
pumped all this out of me in ten min
utes; and yet | never once suspected
that he was receiving information.
Il am not positive l added, but /
am pretty sure the time is the 18th
which would be Tuesday,
land then your folks will send down
the money and discharge the mortgage
of course?' he inquired.
"Oh, yes. Ishould most likely bring
it down. l replied, and it never occurred
to me how imprudent was.
He turned the conversation into other
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 l had
not asked his name or vocation, while
he knew everything about me.
We went to the hotel, had dinner, and
then 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, dignitied face.
s'Well, did you find out?' he in
quired, in his pleasant way.
Its on the 18th, as l expected, - L
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 60 down
with the money, and l looked upon 1t as
q business of no special Importance.
"We know you are all right, re-
marked the senior partner, as | was
about to 60; ''but want to give you a
word of warning, nevertheless. Don
take any strangers into your confidence
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. Ordl-
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 a 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 had reached Grafton
had leaped down and was making my
way to the livery stable when heard q
familiar voice, and looked up to see
Raleigh. He was seated in buggy
and had, seemingly, waited for me tc
come up.
"Don't express your surprise" ne
began as I stopped at the wheel. 81
did intend to go away, but changed
my mind, and l like this section 50 wei
that am going out to-day to look at
, farm, with view of purchasing. Come
ride up to the hotel"
We rode up, ordered a lunch, ane
while we were discussing it Mr.. Raleigh
: discovered that the farm he was going
to see was just beyond the Scripts.
How fortunate! l could ride out will
him, see the farm and return in nj
com pany, and he would be great.
! pleased.
was also pleased. If any one hat
told me, as we got into the buggy, tina
George Raleigh meant to return will
), my money in his pocket and my bloot
upon his hands, / should have believe.
} him lunatic. And yet George Raleigl
had planned to do that very same thing
( It was lovely day in June, and tn
| cool breeze and the sight of meadow
| and green groves made my heart grov
larger.
NY companion was very talkative
=; but he didn't even hint at my errand.
! go, excuse me,n he exclaimed, afte
l we had passed mile or SO beyond tn
' the village and were among the farm
: houses, g should have offered you thi
: BEFORE
!. He drew from his pocket small fas
r of wine and handed it to me. Now,
was temperate in regard to drinks. l
! fact, I detested the sight and smell
/, anything intoxicating; but had Moth
moral courage to tell him so and han
!. back the flask undisturbed. | feared
t offend him, and so l drank, perhaps
g three good swallows. He called my a
: tention to the woods on the left, as I
received back the flask, and when
t looked around again he was just reno
. ing it from his mouth, as if he had dram
heartily.
f In about five minutes I began to fe
d queer. The fences, along the roa
J seemed to grow higher, and the trees
grow larger; something got into n
n sounded long way of.
$ How strange! why, | believe | q
A going to be sick! exclaimed holdir
j. onto the seat with all my might.
E .You do look strange" he replied,
n sickly smile stealing over his face: ;,
n shouldn't wonder if it was apoplexy."
e | did not suspect the game he HI
J. PLAYED. His words were like an ech