Connecticut western news., 1886-12-15

solid enough for a human being, and yet what could cast shadow in the gloom in such placea
 'It may be a robbcr!H he whispered. "No one has ever tried to rob me yet, but the time may have come. People hate me and would be glad to see me loose my last shilling. John White would get no sympathy here. Suppose it is an assassin! I declare if it didn't move then. I'll go home. Clark may burn the house down to spite me, but if he does I'll send him to state prison if it costs me $500.
 As he moved away on his route home the something followed after. He made a run across the darksomc commons. It kept its distance. He slowed up as he reached frequented street. It was no nearer to him--no farther away. Under the gaslight it disappeared entirely, but as he entered upon his own dark street, To t! the something was nearer to him than before. He heard no footsteps on the walk except his own. There was no word or rustic of garments as they en- tered the gate side by side and passed to the door. There was no presence beside him, and yet there was. It was nothing, and yet it was q something. He was awed and frightened, but at the door he turned at bay and struck out furiously and shouted:
 "Back! Go away! You may believe me old and helpless, but I'll grapple with the strongest man and fight to the deathr'
 He struck only at the empty air, though the shadow was at his elbow. It took the key from his hand, unlocked the door, and he was forced to enter first. As he stood ill the darkness of the room he heard the key turn in the lock again. The something was locked in with himl
 'It's only some trick to scare me-" he whispered; Tor else my long walk in the cold has made me nervous and near sighted. Ks soon as I strike match it will be gone"
 A candle soon shed its light over the room, and the old man threw some flag ots on the fire which was nearly dead on the hearth.
 "There" he whispered as he looked about him, 'it's gone! It was some trick by the boys. They hate me and like to annoy me. Yes, it's gone"
 'It's here" answered voice, and To! the shadow stepped into view on the hearthstone.
 In his amazement the old man was silent for moment, and before he had found his voice the shadow-the some- thing-said:
 'I have been with you for half cen- tury, but never before this night have you seen me-"
 "And-ahd why tonight" asked Miser John in trembling voice.
 ''Because your life ends with the year! When the bells ring out the old and ring in the new you will be no more on earth. John White, what has been placed to your credit on the books of Heaven2"
 ''Why--why, I've obeyed the law, haven't I! And Inever done nobody any harm. I ain't no Christian, but I've tried to live right"
 'rve been with you all these long years, John White! You have been an usurer. You have let avarice triumph in your heart. Selfshness has chased all pity from your soul. The widow, the orphan and the poor and unfortunate have appealed to you in vain."
 "They wanted my moneYw whined the old man.
 "Men have learned to hate you and children to shun you," continued the voice. "You have gold hidden away, but you have no friends. If your soul was to pass from earth tonight there is not one human being in all this world who would volunteer to toll your years upon the nearest church bell. Point me to one who is your friend. Tell me the name of one you have befriended. Ii you have ever done one kind act towards humanity speak of it that may have it recorded on the books of the angel in Heaven"
 The old man was silent. :'You have been an usurer of the rich "a robber of the poor. Even this night you went forth to gloat over the troubles and misfortunes of fellow-b being. Hark to the winter winds! Feel the cold as il creeps in through crack and crevice And yet, to add a few dollars to you hoard you would turn helpless children out of doors p
 | There was never a word from the shiv cring, trembling man who croned ovel the dying fire.
 "And this is the last week of you
 iife," whispered the voice. "You wil
 die here in your bed, and it may b,
 days and days before men miss you ant
 enter this grim old house and find yo,
 dead. Your hoard of gold will buy yo,
 coffin, Q shroud and a grave, but ther
 will be no mourners. Children will ever
 rejoice. that you arc gonc9"
 With head in his hands, and his half
 closed eyes looking into the fire, the ol,
 man remained silent for long, lon,
 time. Ky and by he lifted his head witt
 a sudden start of surprise, and the some
 thing was gone. He called out to it, h
 searched tho dark corners, but it ha,
 silently disappeared.