The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1885-07-30

he road, bidding him drive up
to the house and inform his wife that
he would be detained couple OF
hours.
The TWO men. left alone, stood at the
window and looked in the dire ction OF
the razed village, to detect some sign OF
life; but they saw only stray dog who
wandered disconsolately amid the ruins.
shifting the heaps Of garbage with q
disdainful air. The ght waned and
the serried ranks of mist that had been
lying in wait amid the western hills
and across the straits. closed in upon
the city. The merchant grew impatient
under the long delay.
Il can't understand, Martin, why
you didn't get rid Of the man along
with the rest. Did he venture to ques-
ton your authority, or my right to con-
troll my property"
"Why, you see, sir. l didn't like to
speak rough to the old chap. I'd
venture to say he hasn't always been
what he is now. Fact is, didn't speak
to him direct. l thought he'd take the
hint and leave"
NV soulr' The man shrank from
the indignation and disgust expressed
in bis employers tone. then FASTENED
to smooth away his righteous indigns-
ton with happy after-thought
Come to think of it, l haven't seen
a sign of him since yesterday. Like as
not he's gone of his own accord, I'M
less" The watchman's face became
suddenly grave.
"Well, unless whatp'
"He's lying down there all this time.
He was thin. weakish-looking fellow;
the kind that 60 off quick, sometimes.
"What q ghoul you are, Martini
Brewster laughed short, nervous
laugh. Pleasant suggestion this, that
on his own land, not forty rods away,
q 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 q narrow
souled man, but not hard-hearted.
"Take your lantern and come ahead.
Martin; 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 precaution against law
less intruders. As they left behind
them tho tall lumber-piles with their
sweet scent of the woods. and ap-
preached the border OF Mission Creek,
malarial poisons filled the air, and a
host Of unsavory odors assailed them.
Reeking vapors seemed to arise from
the putrid heaps and clutch at their
throats with phantom fingers. Their
feet slipped and sank into the masses
of fostering decay. 1t was Brewstar's
first visit to this choice portion of his
recently acquired possessions, and the
thought came to bis mind that it was 9
poor stick of man who would deny 8
fellow creature the hospitality of such
an accursed spot, on any other grounds
than that of its total unfitness fol
human occupancy. Suddenly Martin
brought up with short step, swinging
his lantern around to illuminate thu
spot for his employers inspection.
Here we are, sir"
Brewster leaned forward and deserted
low, irregular structure, not four fee
above the ground at its highest point
His preconceived notions Of the style o
building operations pursued in thes'
primitive dwellings were completely
overturned. Instead Of neat and shin
ing rows of tin cans, rising tier upol
tier into pretentious and fancif,l
structure, he beheld rude framework
Of refuse boards, imperfectly covered
with rusty strips of tin. an humble de
Tense against wind and weather; tn
merest apology for q covering He hat
time to take but cursory glance a
these details, when a weak voice from
the interior hailed the visitors.
"Who's there?"
Brewster hesitated an instant befor
replying. He could not announce him
self as friend, for his mission was ia
from friendly. He resolved to presen
himself on strictly neutral grounds.
- "Your landlord"
'Sorry not to give you more fittin
reception, mine host but as I'm hardl
in shape to receive company--if you
be kind enough to slip your bill unde
the door"
Brewster's dignity was offended.
WAS all very well for him, the man {
property and position, to condescen
to address q joke to the vagabond VIII
trespassed on his domain; for the ra.
cal to presume to assume q jocular ton
toward him, in turn, was intolerabl,
He thought Of the underwriters an
the increased premium, and interrupte
the fellow angrily:
Come now, this won't do! Get OF
Of here, and away with your
, ''Sorry to be unable to comply wit
, your polite request sir, but I don
! think l could walk very far tonight.
"Humbug! ! want you to unde
stand that you are on my ground, 81
Every moment you stay endangers m
property. Out of this place in tn
minutes. or Ill have you under arrest!
!. Brewster mad worked himself into
. fine rage, and felt that he was acqui
ting himself with credit. His self col
p gratulatory meditstions were int
. rupted by q movement within Il
tramp's domicile. The highest sectio
: OF the roof was pushed away by th
a hand. and tall erect figure ro
through the aperture like . jack-in.th
box. Something more than the une
y pected nature Of the apparition cause
! Brewster to fall back with start, as
: he had seen . ghost. He was not
!. fanciful man, but the uncanny localit,
: the noisome smells, the curling wreatl
" Of vapor. the moon struggling to pier
the thick veil of mist overhead, couple
r perhaps, with the afternoons rem
= niscences. carried him back TWEEN,