Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-10-04

fta the Ocst Pi">o w. wv
leas,ways, sometimes he concluded
hastily. fearful lest he might have
dashed my philanthropy bya recital Of
The GOOD points of Bedminton Corner.
"sDid the Genersl--that is, the gen.
,lemnn--settle much on you when you
called next morning after that acci-
dentY' I asked with sudden prompt
ness. II cvald take him off his
guard would.
"Again an amazing aptitude for
business. He began sweeping at an
accelerated pace.
"'what're you talking about now?'
he cried in an aggrieved voice. What
General and what accident?'
".Now, don't try to humbug me.
I saw you myself save his little girl
".Were you there?' he asked, like
an animal at bay.
al was.'
"swell, don't know nowt about
it--tbere y
".You won't tell me, you mean
"sThat's so.'
"'Did you 60 next morning to his
house?'
what'er you interfering for?' he
asked gloomily. What if | did; why
shouldn't II?
80 But you didn't gol know you
DIDN'T
"In An instant he Owed past me. and
was heading the way over the busy
thorouehfare for an old lady with lap
dog. heard his hacking cough across
the street, and knew that be had trilled
with that old lady's sorrow for suffer
ing humanity to the extent of sixpence
at least. !.
al shall never get anything out OF
that fellow said, and gave up for
ever the attempt. 1t was just as WE'LL
for that was his last day at Bedminton
Corner. ! passed several nights in sue
cession, but the crossiDg-sweeper was
not there.
WAnother chapter, and no nearer
the end, / said.
Meanwhile saw the General week
". As / stared at him the new diff
Guilty that forced itself to my mind was
this How was it that he, married
man. father. should dine alone every
Saturday in that retired restaurant!
How was it that in that condition OF
life he had never omitted his visit
during the past five years? How was
| it that
'Eh, John
sYessir,' said that functionary,
napkin on arm.
Did he never bring lady and a
little girl with him. .
"'The General, you mean? -" asked
John, brusquely. He was heartily
sick of the subject, and thought by
this time had slight softening of the
brain. The fact is / had got to talk OF
nothing else. There, at this moment,
sat the General, the picture of en-
bodied Dictatorship. There could be
no mistake about that if ever man
looked pleasantly resigned to single
blessedness it was the General. Yet
none could doubt who heard that sim
81. heartfelt word-'a fathers graft
tude that not only parent had spo-
ken. but a man who layished thou
sand endearments on his one child,
who lived in the bright glance OF her
eve, and whose one daily care it was to
make her life burdenlesS.
WYes, the General, Of course
said pecvishly. John was always rep
rimanding my inquisitiyeness.
"'As | told you, weeks ago, he's
come Just of himself for more nor five
years. Never soul with him; MOI
never has he spoke to no one in this
establishment exceptingi it be waiter.
and John turned off to another table.
was a nuisance evidently.
"That was the Saturday before
Christmas. The following Monday
was Christmas eve. had to make I
call in Hanwell street. a lady hac
sent for me. saw her and prescribed
for her-an easy case-and descended
into the street. 1t was about II
O'Clock, and pitchy dark. A yellow
fog obscured everything.
81 walked stealthily, almost feeling
my way; the gas-lamps were just ray
less points of light, that came ant
went as you passed beneath them
lights that shed no light-lights tha
showed you where you were, yet wher
nothing else was.
81 got to the corner Of Borhamptol
street safely. Then l heard a sharp or.
of alarm, followed by fall and a groan
/ rushed recklessly into the impenetra
bic gloom.
Following the sound of moan,
stumbled on a man who was lying o.
the ground crushed lifeless. The blu
that had done the mischief was gone
but a four-wheeled cab was creepin
along the curbstone.
"fAny fare inside:' l shoute
through the fog.
mo The cab stopped, and tn
driver descended.
"sHelp me to lift him in ; my room
are not three hundred yards away-NC
203 Crescent road
"'All right, sir-double fare t.
night-not but what I'd assist in cas-
like his
"'Open the consulting-room dool
Mary / said to my servant when sh
had answered my quick knock.
1.-THE lamp was lit laid him o
. the couch, tore off his muller, unbu
toned his coat, opened his waistcoa
, listened to catch the beat of his hear
|, was satisfied he was not dead-not "
, at least-then looked him in IL
face" The Doctor paused.
7 at was the crossing-sweeper," sal
the curate, impulsively.
1.-The General, Of course" said Il
; sallow-visaged one, "out on son
> mischief. | don't like those qui
' bachelor-looking men with ladies
: the background"
; "Both," said the Doctor, quietl
: and for the first time he handled Il
decanter and filled his glass. l
: poured it out steadily to give US tim
. Both !" we all said in choru
and we stared at one another in blair
!. amazement.