The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-05-31

spot will be pointed out as the place where tragedy was violently enacted"
 Fearing that had gone too far, said |:
 aBaron, excuse the oversight of a man much given to jest"
 "The jester is fool. He shakes his rattle and then gives utterance to knavish speech. Thinkest then that l know not whom thou art. Thy tkin disguise but i'll conceals thy hated identity"
 thought that he made motion in the direction of the ha,chet, and must have turned pale. "Your servant" said l with reverential inclination of the head, begs that the noble baron will not become offended at him, for thy servant may make an innocent error."
 "Erors are vioious,' he said. "I would rather be stabbed by intention than by accident. The man of error IS redeemless fool. Were he a knave, there might for him be chance of refor- nation. There is no hope for the man of error. Do not further seek to deceive me, for the gods have given me keen insight and through the thin veil of at tempted deception, my eye Penetates like the flash of lightning that illumines the foul darkness of cave. will de- part, but mark ye: Thou art not forgotten, for when thsu thinkest the night in peace and securiety settleth upon thee, the great baron's slaves are there to do the bidding of their great master"
 With stately stride he walked away. " Poor fellow" unused. "I feel that l am in a mea sure responsible for his in- sanity, and wish that had taken the advice of the leading citizens of this place and refused to sell hurtful books. But l am not to blame," reasoning with that excuse which the wrong-doer ever summons to aid his exculpation. "f l had not sold the books to old Diff, he would have bought them of some one else. A man may enter gunsmith's place, buy pistol and shoot himself but fine appeared to be in rational mental condition at the time of the purchase, no one can blame the gunsmith."
 This reflection considerably eased my conscience, but did not feel altogether comfortable, for the thought of old Diff's condition was ever accompanied by sting.
 One night l remained rather late at the store. Just as closed the door and turned to walk away, two disguised men rushed up, and before could offer resist ance, they had thrown a rope over me and were binding my arms. 1 cried for help, but one of my oaptors, pressing the muzzle of pistol against me. demanded silence. at first thought that their ob jeet was to secure me and then rob my store, but in this made a mistake, for they hurried me tG a vacant lot short distance away, where they hoisted me into a carriage, and seating themselves beside me, they gave the command, and we were rapidly driven away. ventured to ask whither they were taking me, but without replying, one of them pressed the muzzle of pistol against me, which ac- ton l soon understood to mean a re- quest that remain silent.
 Suddenly the carriage stopped, after passing through an arched gateway. I was lifted out. The night was dark, but with shudder recognized Diff's house. My cap,ors took me through a front door and conducted me to an upper room, gloomy apartment, sparsely furnished, and with a dimly burning, smoking lamp, hanging from the ceiling. When unbound l sat down to mediate. My attendants left me. thought of es- cape. Impossible, for iron bars had been securely placed across the window. I had not long remained alone when heard footsteps approaching. A key turned in the lock, the door opened, and A~aA ShsSASo. 4NCvCA uoo SCCu SO WllQ a specimen of humanity. His hair was " pushed" and on his cheek there was smear of blood.
 "Mr. Dif," said what do you mean by having me seized and brought to this den ?'
 "'M Mir. Diffr with contempt, Dos, know that mister is plebeian? Upon a former conference with thee, the time when thy then disguise was discovered, warned thee not to bestow upon me the nickname of groveling familiarity. Thinkest thou that do no, know thee? Ha, ha" and he glared at me.
 ~Who am l?n
 Thou art the chief of the Nipmucks An, know thee"
 "You make mistake p exclaimed 1, in alarm. "I am only poor bookseller,