Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-02-21

hal altered strangely uurlbk the nlHnt
The effects Of the ChristmEs cheer were
over, and he was evidently repenting his
broken resolution. Breakfast passed in
4 sullen silence, and all Mr.. Gordons at
tempts at conversation were met by a
Kind Of a growl. He hastily made his
preparations for departure, and then
asked his sCowlinG host for his bill
You will pay me ten dollar, sar," he
said
Zen dollars exclaimed the astonished
young man You surely don't intend
charging that amount for one night s
board and lodging.
Il say ten dollar, Sar. You pay me not
for de supper nor de bed. Non, non, Old
Pierre Lafont charge no man for to eat or
70 sleep You pay me ten dollar for break
ing my Vuri and taking you in my house.
Ven you tell de oder Ga haille peddlers, dc
big money You has to pay, dey Will let my
house alone. Aha with a triumphant
..rin. de ten dollar will be better dan tea
-hotEunS 10 keep dem away"
Mir Gordon was Indignant. hut he was
cool enough to see that Indignation would
ne wasted on the stubborn old fellow be
fore him. lie felt that if he resisted, Al
phonse, who was leaning lazily on the
gate post, could bring deal OF reserved
foroe To his forCihle eiectment, and like a
sensible man. he counted out SO in Non
>ieur Lafont's hand.
ITS regular >windle. I must say, Mr.
Lafont. he said. and I'm paying high
price for your broken word"
They were alone in the room. AlphOnSe
was whiStling at a gate post in the yard,
and Nine Lafont and her housemaid were
busy in another part of the house. As
Mr. Gordon was turning away his eyes
fell upon a clock on the mantCl-One Of
chose Old fashioned concerns where the
pendulum swings up and down in full
iiew 4 sudden idea struck him-what
le called an inspirHtinn-and he turned TO
his grim host with a smile.
well. won't bear malice against you.
Mr. I.afont, though you've ben pretty
lard on me, That's queer clock You
nave there
Aha, no buy him from a Yankee
neddler." old Pierre cried, with triumph
mt laugh. He one magnitique clock;
,eep good time for twenty year
Gordon stood absorbed in cOntempla
ion Of the ~magnitique" clock.
do you ever bet" he asked suddenly.
Now betting was the old fellows one
weakness. and Mr.. Gordon had heard of
I. lie seldom refused a bet, and being
autiouS. was usually successful When
Ie lost no one ever heard of il.
Monsieur YOU ask il | bet he cried.
Yes. sar. and dey can teA you old Pierre
ievaire lose he bet
Well. lose oftener than I win, but
will bet, for all that, whenever | have a
hanCe. Now I'd like to make bet with
1eu before We part. bet $50 You can't
tand before that CLOCK for half an hour,
noving your arm up and down with the
Iotion Of the pendulum, and saying.
Here she goes mp, here she goes down
Nth every movement
But. den. You has fifty dollar to trOw
way" cried old Pierre. aStounded. Il
an win your fifty dollar. as easy as dat,
mapping his fingers derisively Monsieur,
tre YOU craZee or Won foOli'
Neither. think: bu' you must remem-
er that if you miss one movement Of the
'cndulum or miss saying the words, you
sc. Nor must yOu utter another sylla-
ie but those have told YOU
All. mon Dieu. but il is of de simplest.
he old man ChdCkled. going To a box in
he corner Of the room. which he IN
ncked and took out some bank notes
Here. 7 put my fifty dollar on de corner
( de mantel. and you put yours. II You
aS not a prddler | would not make a bet
ke dat. hut va for your feefty dollar.
m ready Gif de signal"
Mr. Gordon looked at the old man
hort. fat. red faced, and fairly trembling
Nth eagerness to clutch the peddler's
hekels He stood before the clock, his
hort legs far apart. and waiting impat
emily for the signal. Gordon, few steps
,ehind him. with his watch open in his
land. gave il.
Here she go mp, here she go down." he
ried eXcitedly, and for five minutes moth.
NJ was heard but the rythmical swing Of
he pendulum and the mOnotOnOus chant.
hen came an interruption in the person
# Mime. lafont.
@Pierre Pierre" she cried, looking in
he door. Here's Jean Baptiste Levois
II the gate. He hasn't time to get down
rom his pony, hut he says thou must
ONE out. He wants to buy the big bay
lOrse and he's brought the money. But,
Pierre, what art thou doing with thine
rms and what art thou saying there
'AiC SahAC lsaSelAN lhto Nnt lOtAh-
Here she go up. here she 60 down"
nd Old Pierre's red face became more
,pOplectic than ever.
Grand Dieu, but what, then, is the
natter"
Here she go up, here she go down. in
hoarse voice.
"Sainte Marie, art thou mad" She
urned her terrified eyes on Gordon. who.
With pitying look, tapped his forehead
dme. Lafont understood him, and
hrieked aloud
He Is then crazy, my poor Pierre!' She
'urst into tears and wrung her hands
oh, l told you money would drive you
mad. Alphonse, Alphonse! Look, mon
,arcon, at your poor papa He is mad"
'he fell on her knees and clasped her hus-
,and's stout legs.
Here she go up. here she go down" in
lmost a shrek: and Gordon began 10 fear
n attack Of apoplexy, the old man be
ame so purple
Hear the horrible Words shriekeJ
Ime. Lafont. Il see his poor arms Oh
Alponse, he is dangerous. You and JeaI
3aptiste must secure him and put him t.
ed, and go for DR. Braiile TO bleed him.
Here go up. here she go down" in such
voice Of fury that Nine L4font gave
owl Of terror, and Alphonse and Jean
3aptiste threw themselves upon thu mad
nan.
He kicked at them so vigorously that
AiphOrso. white with terror, measured
is length on the floor; but alas old +
'ierre himself lost his balance and fell in .
be stout grasp Of Jean Baptiste.