The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1886-12-16


at may be robbcr!' ho whispered.
'No one has ever tried to rob me yet,
but tho time may have come. People
hate me and would bc 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 so home. Clark may
burn tho 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
run across the darksomc commons. 1t
kept its distance. He slowed up as he
reached frequentcd street. 1t was no
nearer to him--no farther away. Under
the gaslight it disappeared entirely, but
as he entered upon his own dark street,
10! 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. 1t was nothing,
and yet it was something. He was
awed and frightened, but at the door he
turned at bay and struck out furiously
and shouted:
"Backl Go away! You may believe me
old and helpless, but I'll grapple with
the strongest man and fight to the
! deathp
He struck only at the empty air. though
the shadow was at his elbow. 1t took
the key from his hand, unlocked the
door, and he was forced to enter first.
As he stood in the darkness of the room
he heard the key turn in the lock again.
The something was locked in with him!
'Its only some trick to scare me" he
whispered; cor else my long walk in the
cold has made me nervous and near
sighted. As soon as strike a match it
will be gone"
A candle soon shed its light over the
room, and the old man threw some fag-
OTIS on the fire which was nearly dead on
the hearth.
'There" be whispered as he looked
about him, ''it's gonel 1t was some trick
! by the boys. They hate me and like to
annoy me. Yes, it's gone"
'1t's hercm answered voice, and 10! j!
the shadow stepped into view on the
hearthstonc.
In his amazement the old man was
silent for moment, and before he had
found his voice tho shadow.-the some
thing-said:
II have been with you for half a cen
fury, but nevor hefnre this night have
you seen me-"
"And--and why to-night2' asked
Miscr John in trembling voice.
because your life ends with the year |!
When the bells ring out the old and ring
in tho new you will be no more on
earth. John White, what has been placed
to your credit on the books of Heaven3"
"Why--why, I've obcycd the law,
haven't II And Incver done nobody any
harm. l amt no Christian, but I've
tried to live right"
"I've been with you all these long
|
usurcr. You have let avarice triumph in
your heart. Sclishness 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 money!" 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
t 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
r a robber of the poor. Even this night
you went forth to gloat over the troubles
and misfortunes of a fellow being. Hark
I to the winter winds! Feel the cold as il
v creeps in through crack and crevice
And yet, to add few dollars to youl
hoard you would turn helpless children
X out of doors"
+. There was never word from the shiv
D ering, trembling man who croned ovel
9 the dying fire.
"And this is the last week of you
O life," whispered the voice. "You will
!. die here in your bed, and it may b.
d days and days before men miss you ant
!. enter this grim old house and find yol
# dead. Your hoard of gold will buy yor
Il a coffin, a shroud and a grave, but ther'
n will be no mourners. Children will ever
!. rejoice that you are gomez"
q With head in his hands, and his half
% closed eyes looking into the fire, the ole
O man remained silent for long, lon.
v time. By and by he lifted his head will
d a sudden start of surprise, and the some
thing was gone. he called out to it, h
IS searched the dark corners, but it hat
t. silently disappeared.
:. 1t was the day before Christmas
:" Clark, the mechanic, entered Mise
~ Johns house with fear and trembling
. He came out wiping the tears from hi
, eyes and his face illuminated with I'll
IL great 10Y in his heart; Mser John ha