Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-02-05

ne shook NOrburys hand warmly ant
then, speaking as il addressing a servant
whom he professsd to hear approaching. b,
said, ut is only ], Rogers, and Mr.. Nor
bury; we can in1 our way TO the library,
and dol' let us be disturbed"
The truth was be and Norbury were alone
In the house.
Tive very simply" he said, leading tn
way to the library; ian old bachelor, ana
dislike giving trouble"
Il hope your servant appreciate you
consideration" said Norbury.
"Oh, yes l think they do he answered
Now sit in this chair; pray believe l an
sorry not to have had the pleasure Of you
company at dinner. Asyou could not come
l simply had a chop, and cleared up a little
business with my secretary. l hope YOU
will like thess Cigars
Thank you said the guest, taking 9
Habana from the box which his host pushed
toward him You are very kini. The
disappointment is mine. My lawyer is an
old friend, and ! could not well, on til, eve
Of leaving the country, obstruct his mr..
rangements, seeing that they were chief y
in my INTEREST,"
will you take cofReel l have it her,.
you see. No trouble"
He pointed to a silver coRe, urn, under
which was curling a thin blue fame.
My butler had just placed it really as
we came ina little cafe noir."
Thank you" said Norbury.
The host assisted bis guest and himself to
coffee. but Needham took no brandy.
And what is your hotel in New York?'
1.-THE New York it is called"
You have written them advising them
Of your coming, of %coursel'
Yes, 1 wrote about ten days since"
always SO much pleasanter to be ex.
pectel " said Needham. II have written
the letters l mentioned; l think they will
be OF service to you. You spoke of your
sister last evening; is she likely to Join
youa'
On. no, | do not expect to stay long;
moreover, she is engaged to be married,
and am rather o selfish fellow, l fear.
She has been my housekeeper ever since the
death of my wife, and l hate parting with
herr
Just as a conjurer forces a card upon
you, so Neodham by example seemed to
forcs the cafe noir on Norbury BY him self
drinking in a somewhat ostenta 5ioul way.
Then h9 led his guest into talking of his
illness, and the reasons why his doctor ad-
vis9d change, profe sing to sympathizs
with him, and at tho same time telling him
OF the sudden death Of friend who hal
developed similar symptoms. Norbury was
thus brought into q frame of mind that
might possibly prepare him to experience
without surprise a sudden symptom of
illness.
"As for DEATH" he said, there was a
tlmo when l had a horror OF it, but all that
passed away when lost my vile. l am nc
longer afraid Of DEATH have often wished
fer it. Don't you think our education upon
this matter is altogether wronga'
I'm respect to the preparation for deathg'
asked Needham in reply, weighing hiS
words and pressing his feet UPON the floor
as if to steady his nerves.
YES. Many Of the Oriental races have
no fear Of death. The Chinese regard it as
nothing; the japanese will commit 'tha
happy dispatch smilingly. A Chinaman
doomed to the headsman finds a substitute
ON payment of a sum of money to his fam.
lily. Death being the only certain thing in
life, the penalty of life, we ought to accept
it as a matter Of course and not make a
horror Of it. Children should be brought
up with these vie ws."
'Indee1 l think you are right" said
Needham; "but l have never reflected
much upon death, and l can hardly realiz.
the condition of a MAI who could vol1n.
tarily take the place of a condemned Grim.
Some poor devil whose life was a fail
ure, and who really loved his family and
co w in hic Hanfh than ,.a1oo,a 49,. -.---L
and persecution, and particularly an Orien.
you not realizs the idea Of a
man counting death under such condi.
tions!"
"Oh, yes, Think l could said Needbam,
"but could better understand his fighting
to the last and then committing suicide"
There am not with you. Suicide is a
towards act. We are here for veal or wo,
to run our course-'
But would not your Oriental friend who
gives himself up as a substitute for another
be practically guilty Of his own death?"
"Ah, to discuss that, " replied Norbury,
"woull be to chop Logic after the manner
OF the grave diggers in Hamlet. After all.
Mr.. Needham, the one great thing is to be-
prepared. As Hamlet himself said, on his
way to that fatal fencing bout, The rsadi.
mess is ALL"
As be spoke Norbury sank slowly back in
his chair.
Dear, dear!" exclaimed Needham;
you are lila little brandy, the room il
close, there is thunder in the air."
Taxing from the mantelshelf a silver Gun
(which contained a carefuIly-measurei and
deadly dose of oil of almond) he poured a
Little brandy into it, shook it together, and
the cup to the lips OF his stup ,feI
guest, forced the contents down bis throat.