West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1885-08-14

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well, unless what?'
Hes lying down there all this time.
lie was thin, Notwithstanding fellow.
the Kind that go off quick, sometimes. "
what ghoul you are, Martini
Brewster laughed a short, nervous
laugh. Pleasant suggestion this, that
on his own land. not forty rods away.
dead man was lying. who had per
haps persisted from lack of proper food
and care! Then a better sentiment
stirred his heart He was a narrow
souled man, but not hard-hearted.
Take your lantern and come ahead.
Martins no morgue on my premises, if
| can help it,"
They stepped out into the chill and
darkness, carefully locking the door be-
hind them as a precaution against law
less intrudcrs. As they left behind
them the tall lumbcr-pilcs with their
sweet scent of the woods. and ap-
preached the border OF Mission Creek.
maiarial poisons filled the air, and a
host of unsavory odors assaulted them.
Rocking vapors seemed to arise from
the putrid heaps and clutch at their
Threats with phantom fingers. Their
feet slipped and sank INTO the masses
OF fostering decay. II was Bowster's
first visit 10 this choice portion 81 his
recently acquired possessions, and the
thought came TO hts mind that IL was n
poor stick Of a man who would DENY "A
fellow-crcature the hospitality OF such
an accurscd spot, on any other grounds
than that of its total unlitness for
human occupancy. Suddenly Martin
brought up with a short step swinging
his lantern around to illuminate the
spot for his employers inspection
Here we are, sir
Brewster leaned forward and deserted
n low. irregular structure, not four feet
above the ground mt its highest point.
His preconceived notions OF the style of
building operations pursued in these
primitive dwellings were completely
overturned Instead of neat and shin
ing rows of tin cans, rising tier upon
tier into n pretcntious and fanciful
structure, he beheld rude framework
OF refuse boards imperfcctly covered
with rusty strips of tin. an humble de
tense against wind and weather; the
merest apology for covering. He had
time to take but n cursory glance at
these details, when weak voice from
the interior hailed the visitors.
who's thereP"
Brewster hesitatcd an instant before
replying. He could not announce him
self rs friend, for his mission was far
from friendly. He resolved to present
himself on strictly neutral grounds.
Your landlord.
'Sorry not to give you more fitting
reception, mine host but rs I'm hardly
IN shape TO receive cOmpany-if youth
be Kind enough to clip your bill under
the door"
Brewster's dignity was offended. IL
was all very well for him, the man of
property and position, to condcscond
to address joke to the vagabond who
trespaSsed ON his domains for the ras-
cal to presume to assume u iocular tone
toward him, in turn, was intolerablei
lie thought OF the underwriters and
the increased premium, and interrupted
the fellow angrily:
Come now, this won't do! Get out
OF here, and away with your
Sorry TO be unable to comply with
your polite request, sir but / don't
think could walk very far tonight"
"Humbug! want you TO under
stand that you are on my ground, sir.
Every moment you stay cndangcrs nv
Out of this place in two
minutes, or I'll have you under arrcstr'
Brewster had worked himself into n
line rage, and felt that he was acuuit-
ting himself with credit. His seIf.con-
meditatons were inter
rupted by movement within the
tramp's domicilc. The highest section
OF the roof was pushed away by u thin
hand, and tall erect figure rose
through the aperture like iack-in-the.
box. Something more than the uDex-
pected nature OF the apparition caused
brewster to fall back with a start. rs if
ne had seen ghost. He was not IA
lancltui man, but the uncanny locality,
inc noisome smells, the curling wrcaths
OF VaPor' the moon struggling to pierce
the thick veil of mist overhead, coupled.
perhaps, with the afternoons remi-
hlscenceS, carried him back twenty
years, and me was In the pens of AnCry-
sohVille, waking from'a troubled sleep
TO SCI the thin form of Lcnoir stealing
TO his SIDE at midnight TO thrust into
the lad S pocket crust OF bread saved
from his own scanty rationS He put
the recollection of that wrctchcd OK.
perience rcsolutcly from his mind. but
II left its impression. Along with Wis
and gluttonous indulgence common.
~ planned by hungry men i'm
such eNtremitics, TO be carried out i'm
case Of release, Inc had taken one sol
emn oath. He had vowed that If ever
he escaped from that wrctched hole. so
long a nc lived and had 10 i'm his mower
he would never fail 10 feed a hungry
human being Through an the nuctua-
tons OF his business career and the
manifold duties Of his busy life he had
Kept this pledge inviOlato. a- many
drunken loafer and d.srcput1blc bum
mer IN Steuart street could attest Re
solve had grown into principle of ac-
ton and principle into habit lie re-
called this custom now.
Here, sir. TIM, will get you n round
meal down yondcr, holding i'm the IA.
rcctlon OF the cheap catng-hou.cs i'm
fourth street. as he extended 20 quarter
ne had extracted from his trousers
pocket carefully Weighing it I'm his
Aand 10 make sure that be wa i'm mo-
danger Of giving away gold piece by
mistake
" DO you think that If ! wanted char
liF J would Doe occupying This palaGaI
mansion aud fasting until refuse oar-
Dage seems 20 mess for kuvT'
brewster recalled what Martin had
sad. and drew back bis wcil-mrYuf oI-
icrin@ with sense Of personal injury.
Oh, come now' BE on like 10 GOOD
follow and make no more trouble"
Tho lumbcrmau wa inpatient I'm
bring the interview fo 70 close. III. efU
l I'D % d.. 81. %.